#there was a rumour that a half-magical creature goes to school

[incorrect-maraudersaandco-quotes]

Regulus: I don't think you guys are appreciating the sun enough Regulus: and I say this as someone who gets a sunburn from sticking my head out the window and people with shiny teeth.

[minor-solemnity]

To be a Seer pt.4

Tag List: @jinxqsu @naps-and-lemons @riddles-wifey @mainlynonsense @cakesarecute @crumpets-are-better-with-jam

When you enter the classroom you’re not even surprised to see that Riddle is already waiting for you at your usual table. He smiles at you congenially, and even stands up as you approach, pulling out your chair for you to sit. One thing that you’ve learnt from spending as much time with him as you have been is that Riddle’s manners are impeccable. It’s not half as endearing now that you know what hiding underneath his affable exterior.

You learn that girl is Annabel Wheatley. A third-year Hufflepuff student who, according to the chattering of your peers, is kind, quiet, and loves Care of Magical Creatures more than anything. The rumours surrounding her petrification spread like wildfire throughout the school, people who’ve never spoken to you before start stopping you in the hallway to ask if it’s true that you had seen the person who did it? if her body had really been hanging from the ceiling? if Tom Riddle had really run all the way from the sixth floor in order to protect you from the monster lurking in the school? You tell everyone who asks the truth. You don’t know who did it, Annabel had been sitting at her desk, Tom Riddle had not run anywhere to protect you from anything.

No one seems to believe this last correction. And you’re not sure you can really blame them; in the weeks following the attack, Riddle has taken to escorting you to and from class, acting for all the world to see, as your protector. He politely asks anyone who goes near you to leave you alone - “Can’t you see that this is incredibly hard for her? Do I need to start handing out detentions?” - to anyone who doesn’t know better, Riddle is a worried boyfriend who can’t stand to see his beloved so upset. Even Lizzie and Lucas seem sceptical.

“You must admit, it’s awfully strange that he’s suddenly showing you so much interest,” Lizzie says one evening in the common room as you’re attempting to study for an upcoming Ancient Runes test. “At the very least, he’s hardly hiding that he quite clearly likes you.” You shoot her a withering glare and Lucas laughs from where he’s lounging on the settee.

“I have no idea why he’s following me around all the time,” You say loudly, and promptly blush when a few curious housemates turn to face you. Neither Lucas nor Lizzie look at all like they believe you and you sigh, staring glumly at the textbook in front of you. “I honestly think he might just be worried?” You try to inject as much honesty as you can into your voice, hoping that this new tact will convince them. “It was… It was really disturbing seeing her.” Your voice grows quiet and Lizzie’s expression morphs into one of concern and you think you can detect a little bit of guilt too. Should you feel bad for manipulating your friends like this? You probably should. But you don’t. “And he was the only one around, you know? I don’t think I reacted that well.” That at least is partly true, it’s just that your poor reaction had nothing to do with Annabel and everything to do with Riddle.

After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Lucas clears his throat and the subject is dropped.

***

Lizzie’s sick (or at least, she’s claiming to be) and so you’re on your own as you make your way to Divination. Riddle’s also absent and you’d not realised how used to his presence you’d become until he’s no longer walking with you to lessons. The solitary walk from breakfast to Divination gives you time to think about everything you know about the petrifications and a certain Tom Riddle. The most obvious, and the thing you are most concerned about, is that Riddle very clearly has something to do with the petrifications. Even without your visions, his attitude in the classroom whilst you’d waited for Dippet and Dumbledore to arrive would have been enough to make you suspicious, let alone the fact that he barely lets you out of his sight these days.

But regardless of any of that, you had Seen him. You’ve been Seeing him for weeks and it’s always the same: a boy splintering apart into seven pieces, distorting and mutating into something grotesque and unearthly. There’s no convincing you otherwise that Riddle and the boy in the smoke aren’t one and the same.

It’s your moral duty to tell someone, of course. You should be banging on Dippet’s door right this instance instead of making your way to Divination. You should be screaming it in the corridors. You should be doing a lot of things. And it’s not as though you’re happy that muggle-borns are being attacked. It’s just that… you’re stuck between doing what you know is right and following your own damned curiosity. And there is part of you that is unwilling to divulge to anyone what you know because that would entail telling them how you know. It’s selfish and dangerous and you hate yourself for it a little bit, but the thought of admitting what you’ve Seen is enough to make your chest constrict and your palms grow clammy.

When you enter the classroom you’re not even surprised to see that Riddle is already waiting for you at your usual table. He smiles at you congenially, and even stands up as you approach, pulling out your chair for you to sit. One thing that you’ve learnt from spending as much time with him as you have been is that Riddle’s manners are impeccable. It’s not half as endearing now that you know what hiding underneath his affable exterior. “Good morning,” He says pleasantly, “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to meet you after breakfast this morning, I had a few things I needed to take care of.” He leans forward as he says this, smiles conspiratorially at you like he’s letting you in on a secret. You have a horrible feeling that he’s testing you.

“That’s okay,” You say slowly, watching him carefully as you begin to unpack your things. “I’m sure that you must be busy this year, with all that’s happening. It would be selfish of me to keep you to myself all the time.” His smile widens and he nods.

“That’s very understanding of you. I must say, juggling schoolwork, prefect duties, and extracurriculars has been a lot more of a balancing act than I anticipated,” He pauses and the look he sends your way is entirely too knowing for your liking. “Still, I’m sure I don’t need to explain that to you.” You frown and anxiety begins to set in. The way Tom is talking to you makes you think that he knows about your visions, but that’s impossible. You’ve been so careful to make sure that no one knows. Not even Lizzie and Lucas. So how could he have found out? Unless he’s just baiting you? Trying to make you think he knows more than he does?

Not knowing what else to do, you simply smile and turn your attention to the front of the class where Professor Levintus begins the lesson with a small lecture on predeterminism and the role of destiny in Divination. Immediately, you perk up, scribbling notes on the lecture with a fervour that you’ve not felt since the petrifications started. You’ve always believed that the things you See are inevitable. That, once you’ve Seen them, your visions will come to pass no matter what you do. You’ve always believed this and so you’ve never once tried to stop them. Never once tried to change the future.

You think maybe you might want to see if you can.

“Sir,” You call, raising your hand. Levintus pauses in the middle of his sentence looking over at you, startled. “Forgive me for interrupting, but you mentioned that many consider the Sight to be absolute. Is that a fact or just a popular theory?” You try to keep your voice even; interested but academic. Out of the corner of your eye, Riddle sits up a little straighter, his attention focused entirely on you.

“Well, it’s certainly a popular theory. Many would argue that because all known instances of true foretelling have come to pass that it’s the only viable hypothesis we have at the moment.” Levintus explains. He looks like he’s about to move on with the lesson, but you still have questions.

“Surely, the keyword is ‘known’, though? There might be hundreds of foretellings that haven’t come to pass because the Seer acted to make sure they didn’t? Or prophecies that were never heard and therefore never acted out?” A hint of hysteria leaks into your voice and more students turn to look at you. Whilst it’s not exactly a secret that you take Divination more seriously than most, you’re not known for talking in class.

“That’s certainly a possibility, which is why I use the term theory. Is there a reason that you’re so interested?” Levintus smiles and cocks his head, “Do we have our very own Seer sitting among us, I wonder?” The rest of the class laughs, and, despite the way your heart does an uncomfortable flip in your chest, you force yourself to join in. The only person who isn’t laughing is Riddle who watches you with a small smile. You tell yourself that you don’t find it flattering.

***

You finish your rounds for the night and wave goodbye to the Hufflepuff prefect before heading straight to the Prefect’s bathroom. You’ve been given next weeks rota for patrols and aren’t surprised to see that you’ve been paired with Riddle. You haven’t been paired with him since the first week of fifth year, after which he’d only been partnered with other Slytherins but apparently times are changing.

You slip inside the bathroom and quickly set about filling the tub. You light incense and pour perfumed oils into the water. You smoke a cigarette and then light another one immediately after. These aren’t to help you See, but rather because you’ve been feeling on edge since Divination that morning. The next thing you do is pull out the small ornate dagger that you’d bought from Borgin and Burks the previous summer. You set it down carefully on the ledge of the bath as you sink into the warm water.

Driromancy is something you’ve studied but never attempted before. You’ve always found the idea faintly unsettling. Now though, you’re desperate for answers, and blood divination is said to be one of the most potent forms of divination. Blood magic is personal; it draws its power from the most essential parts of the user, and practitioners of driromancy are said to have highly intense and personal divinations. It is for exactly these reasons why you’re even considering it in the first place. Riddle has been haunting your dreams for months, he’s in the smoke you exhale, and that connects you to him somehow. In many ways, you know him better than he knows himself and you can’t shake the feeling that there has to be a reason for it. That there has to be a reason that of all the Seers in the world, it’s you that has been gifted the warning of his future.

You eye the dagger with a mix of anticipation and foreboding as the perfumed steam begins to work its magic and your mind calms and stills. You’re not sure how long you soak, allowing the water to soften your skin, but eventually, you feel the familiar tug at the edges of your mind, the gentle pull of the Other waiting for you to open your Inner Eye and See.

It doesn’t take much. A few drops on the tiles next to you, dark red against the white marble. You track the speed at which the droplets fall, the viscosity, and the patterns they land in. The slow, steady drip suggests someone determined, resourceful, and independently minded; the thin, watery viscosity indicates an uncertain future or a change of heart; the pattern that forms on the marble is a constellation - the hydra, representing a monster that cannot die.

You stare at the drops of blood for longer than you can tell, feeling strangely relieved by what they’ve told you. A future in flux is certainly better than a future set in stone. Especially, if the future is what you think it might be. It still leaves you with the question of how to change it. Riddle is, of course, the answer. Your futures are somehow tied together, however tangentially that might be, you just hope that his past actions aren’t indicative of how he might treat you should he find out.

The water has completely cooled, and you shiver as you clamber out of the bath and begin to dry yourself off. A quick vanishing charm and you’re ready to leave. You manage to take one step out of the corridor when you hear a soft hum coming from the shadows. Riddle steps into view and smiles down at you. In the dim candlelight of the corridor, he looks like a gothic prince. How did… How did he know you were here? Or was it just a coincidence?

Is anything a coincidence when it comes to you and Riddle?

He takes in your still-damp hair, your slightly wild eyes, the hitch in your breathing as he draws closer. “It’s a little late to be out, isn’t it? And hardly safe,” He says, and he’s close enough that you can see the way his eyelashes cast shadows along his cheeks. “I’d hate for something to happen to you when I’ve been trying so hard to prevent that.”

“Last I checked, prefects aren’t beholden to the same rules as other students,” You say and your voice is steady where your heart is not. He hums again and you’re struck by how pleasant the sound is, by the way his upper curls and his expression softens slightly. “I promise I’m being careful - though, I might ask the same of you, you know. Sneaking around the castle when you weren’t even on patrol tonight.” Without really meaning to, your tone takes on a slight teasing quality, gentle and sweet in the quiet hallway. You think you might be flirting with him which is… well, it’s an interesting development at any rate. Though perhaps, not one you should be surprised by; you’ve been spending enough time with Riddle to have grown somewhat comfortable in his presence (which is a somewhat unsettling realisation in and of itself) and you can’t deny he’s got a handsome face.

He laughs and the sound is beautiful. “I can assure you, no harm will come to me tonight.” No, you don’t expect it will. He offers you his arm, “It’s getting late though, and your common room is on the way to mine; allow me to escort you, seeing as I couldn’t this morning.” You know the exact moment that Riddle notices the shallow cut on your palm. He hums again, though this time, it isn’t from amusement but rather, you think with a small stab of anxiety, understanding. Like he’s putting the pieces together in his mind and is reaching a conclusion. Your hand hovers uncertainly in the air before you lay it gently against the crook of his elbow and he starts to walk you back.

Some distant part of you recognises that you’re in the middle of crossing a threshold, that you’re willingly walking into dangerous territory arm in arm with Riddle. You’d be lying if you said you weren’t a little bit curious about where you’ll end up.

(part 1) (part 2) (part 3) (part 4) (part 5)

[that-scouse-wizard]

David Willows MK 2

A/N: Just an updated version of David’s profile, complete with a few changes and a more in-depth description of certain characteristics. Hope you guys enjoy and if you’d like your MC to be friends with him, message me and let’s chat about it.

Some more things to note:

-Merula is not the mole.

-I’m using the female version of Rowan as David’s best friend because to hell with game restrictions. Also, she survives, at least... David’s Rowan does.

-Drastic alteration to the Quidditch storyline. Skye is in David’s year and a Gryffindor. Orion, Murphy and Erika are two years above David and are in Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin respectively. Also including Andre and Charlie while introducing Oliver Wood and Lee Jordan.

-It goes without saying but spoilers for my ideas. Some are kept deliberately vague and some aren’t covered entirely more so because I intend to write about it someday. Let me know what you guys think of those that are given though. 

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General Information

Name: David Owen Willows (Formerly David Owen Hall, changed to mother’s maiden name in 1982).

Gender: Male

Age: 11-18 (1984-91), 19-25 (1992-98)

DOB: 30/03/1973

Species: Human

Blood status: Half-blood

Sexuality: Straight

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Ethnicity: White-British 

Nationality: English (maternal side of family is Irish, paternal grandmother is Scottish, paternal grandfather and father are English).

Residence: Liverpool/ Lancaster (during his Hogwarts years and depending upon who he’s staying with).

Wimborne (during his career as a pro Quidditch player)

Hogsmeade (final place of residence after becoming Charms professor)

Myers Briggs Personality Type: ENFP, The Campaigner

Character summary: Though he may come across as stand-offish at first, David Willows is a friend as loyal as he is bull-headed. A student of Erika Rath, he became known as Hound on the Quidditch pitch for his relentless pursuit of opposing players. A skill in duelling and the muggle martial art of muay thai (also a pair of knuckledusters) ensures David is a formidable opponent with or without magic.

Personality:

Aggressive: While he tries to reign in his anger, David is known to have a short temper when it comes to certain taunts. Chief amongst them, comparing him to Jacob. In his early years he was even willing to physically fight much older students despite the clear difference in both size and strength.

Aloof: For all of his first year and a good portion of his second year, David isn’t the one to initiate a friendship (except for Chiara but that was when there was no one else to really talk to while spending a night in the Hospital Wing due to the Devil’s Snare incident). However, while undergoing his first time as a quidditch player, he’s taught by Penny how to be a bit more social at pre and post-match parties.

Artistic: David was taught by his mother Rue to draw in greyscale sketches, something he improves on during his time throughout Hogwarts. In the midst of Jacob’s disappearance, his parent’s divorce and especially the stress that comes at Hogwarts, drawing provided an escape for him. His favourite things to draw are people and creatures.

Competitive: This aspect of David tends to come out the most when it comes to sport. With Erika as his mentor, he nurtures a healthy sense of competition as well as a determination to best the other houses and put Hufflepuff on top when it comes to quidditch.

Courageous: Largely as a result of his loyalty, David is willing to throw himself headlong into danger. The Sorting Hat didn’t nearly put him in Gryffindor for no reason.

Determined: When David sets his mind to a goal, he wants to accomplish it to the best of his abilities. In the case of finding Jacob however, it led to a sort of tunnel-vision, one that was finally broken when Chauncy and Philip succumb to injuries sustained under the sleepwalking curse.

Empathetic: Throughout his years at Hogwarts, David starts to empathise with people in his life. Even in the case of Merula, he sees how lonely she must really be and tries to reach out to her on numerous occasions. If he doesn’t fully understand it, he’d like you to share your feelings with him, at your own behest of course.

Loyal: In spite of a prickly exterior at first, once you win David’s loyalty, he’ll return it ten-fold. The type of friend who would take a bullet for you.  

Snarky: David has a sharp tongue, preferably he tries to shut down an argument with his wits. Only going for duelling when he feels it necessary. That being said, he isn’t shy about getting petty in a verbal spar, for example his response to Merula when first being taunted about Jacob supposedly teaming up with Voldemort: “At least that’s just a rumour, can’t say the same about your parents.”

Stubborn: A self-described ‘stubborn git’, David is quite notorious for not budging from his position once he thinks he has all the facts he needs. If he’s being especially difficult, just get Merula.

Appearance

Face Claim: Dave Franco (as an adult at least).

Voice Claim: Paul McCartney.

Game appearance: 

Physique: Athletic, broad shouldered and fairly bulky as a result of weight training with Erika.

Hair Colour: Dark Brown

Hair style: Chin-length (1st-2nd year), crew cut (3rd-4th year), short but long enough to slick back (5th year-present).

Eye colour: Dark brown.

Height: 5′11″ (as of 6th year)

Weight: Approx 80kg (when fully grown)

Scarring: A few small ones sustained during duels and the occasional mishap in quidditch, mostly on his upper body with a few on his legs. Sustains a burn scar on the left side of his waist during the battle with R.

Body modifications: Get’s the phrase “You’ll never walk alone.” tattooed on his right bicep at eighteen. Later gets a ram skull tattoo on his upper back just between the shoulder blades at age twenty. Finally, gets a shepherd crook just below the ram skull tattoo at age twenty-one.

Inventory: His wand, a pair of knuckledusters, a sketchbook, a pencil case containing stationary.

Fashion: He trusts Andre’s advice on what looks good on him though knows what works for him and what doesn’t. Partly influenced by his musical tastes (mainly punk, and rock and roll), has a love of leather jackets and slightly ripped jeans.

Background/ History:

Pre-Hogwarts:

-David was born in Liverpool, living in the suburb of Allerton. One of his favourite things to do was play football with Jacob and his dad.

-His mum would teach him to draw, most often on rainy days.

-Close to both of his parents as a result but it all changed when Jacob disappeared. He knew Jacob and his parents had arguments after being expelled but hadn’t heard any of it on account of the use of a muffling charm. Furthermore, Rue and Matthew were driven apart, Matthew blaming Jacob’s change in attitude and eventual disappearance on magic in its entirety.

-Sometime after Jacob disappeared and when the general shitshow stirred up by the Daily Prophet had died down, it was settled that Rue and Matthew would divorce. Given that David would go to Hogwarts as well, they thought it would be best for David to take Willows as his surname, hopefully not being recognised as Jacob Hall’s brother.

-This was fruitless, Rita Skeeter caught wind of the proceedings and sensationalised them, exposing the name change in the process. The stress and grief caused both parents to distance themselves from David in some way. Rue threw herself into work and became even more strict with David’s freedom while Matthew just left.

-David however, was fighting his own battles, it became known at his muggle school about Jacob going missing as well as his parents divorcing. This caused him to become quite reclusive from his classmates and would lash out at anyone who said a bad word towards him, especially if it concerned his family drama. He lost any friends he did have and refused to make any more.

During Hogwarts

-Year 1: He first meets Rowan, even being introduced to her younger brother, Alder (basically male Rowan). 

David, Rowan, Tonks, Diego, Chiara and Penny first begin to form what becomes known as the Hufflesquad. 

Also befriends Ben and Charlie.

Angelica Cole takes him under her wing despite not being in the same house and even shows David a group of trolls she’s been tending to in preparation for her apprenticeship in training security trolls.

Meets the Booths during the Christmas break and despite a rocky start, begins to develop a positive relationship with them even coming to an understanding with his dad.

During one of his expeditions with Angelica, he’s confronted by Needle, an acromantula that previously belonged to Jacob. 

Finally stands up to his mum properly, resulting in him staying with the Booths for the summer in Lancaster.

-Year 2: David meets those who are involved in the Quidditch scene at Hogwarts, including Erika Rath, who he briefly develops a crush on until he’s let down gently at the end of Year 2.

He duels Merula for a second time, winning once more, which makes her cry albeit in private. This then results in having his first encounter with Barnaby Lee, who confronts David about upsetting Merula. David tries to get past but Barnaby wraps his hands around David’s throat. Not actually choking him mind, more to get his attention. David panics as it reminds him of the Devil’s Snare that wrapped around his throat and lashes out at Barnaby.

David puts Barnaby in the hospital wing, much to the anger of Liz Tuttle.

The last Quidditch match for the House Cup between Hufflepuff and Slytherin is interrupted by the spread of the cursed ice. Ultimately resulting in Gryffindor’s victory in the cup for that year. 

Rue comes back, mentioning how Corey Hayden (David’s American cousin in this AU) would like to transfer to Hogwarts.

Year 3: Amelia comes to Hogwarts as a first year and gets sorted into Hufflepuff. Similarly, Alder starts at Hogwarts and is sorted into Ravenclaw. 

Amelia brings Dusty, her cat, along with her. However, Dusty goes missing shortly after arriving at the castle.

Later, in a COMC class, Barnaby mentions that he found a cat matching Dusty’s description. Initially, David is very suspicious to the extent of threatening Barnaby if he harmed Dusty in any way. Barnaby refutes this and returns Dusty to him unharmed, causing David to apologise for both for the accusation and the events that happened last year. Eventually, he even befriends Barnaby.

In a similar vein, when tending to some of his creatures on the reserve, he bumps into Liz and winds up introducing her to Needle. The two get a friendship going, David admiring Liz’s passion for creatures and Liz appreciating David for not finding her weird when she rambles about animals. To the extent that they go out on a few dates.

Close to the end of the year, he rants at Merula. Effectively asking the question of why she seems to hate him. Yet despite the rant he closes off with how he understands Merula, he’s been that lonely kid lashing out at the world and it’s not fun. Despite her reluctance to admit it, Merula knows David is right.

He gets the chance to verbally unload on Rita Skeeter for the articles she wrote about his family when she comes to the school looking to interview an interesting student. Later, several of his friends plus Merula of all people step in to put Skeeter in her place when she successfully provokes him into a fit of rage to make him look bad. The situation is eventually diffused by McGonagall.

Year 4: 

Corey officially transfers to Hogwarts from Ilvermorny after exchanging letters with David throughout third year.

Though David wasn’t particularly close to them, Chauncy and Philip (two of his dormmates alongside Diego) succumb to injuries sustained when they were attacked by a red cap under the Sleepwalking curse. When he learns the truth of what attacked them, David slays the creature.

David starts to realise he has a crush on Merula after assisting her in casting Expecto Patronum. Later in the year, he takes her out on a date to Hogsmeade, gets her a songbook for Christmas and even takes her out to the Celestial Ball.

Merula’s parents are freed from Azkaban by R, her mother even meeting Merula in secret throughout the year. During one of their meet-ups, she has a hunch Merula is starting to develop a crush on David (something which is true but not something she would admit it at the time). 

In order to eliminate this apparent threat to her family’s blood purity, she asks Merula to bring him to her in the Forbidden Forest under the guise of allowing the two of them to join R like she has. Instead, she subdues David with Petrificus Totalus, attempting to convince Merula to leave him, that David isn’t worth it.

Merula sides with David even though it pains her initially. David stays with her over the summer, where they try to figure out... whatever the hell their relationship is at the moment.

Year 5: Throughout this year he dates Merula in secret until Valentine’s Day. It’s here that she confesses she’s ready to have their relationship out in the open.

One of the most major event for David is Rakepick’s betrayal, he had actually grown fond of her as a mentor. Being stabbed in the back wasn’t a good thing for him.

The second is Jacob leaving immediately after David finds him. It’s hurtful and David becomes a bit reclusive for a while. Finally, he’s comforted by Bill, Orion and Erika, the older sibling figures in his life.

Year 6: Jacob returns, under the watchful eye of Alastor Moody, acting as the DADA  teacher for that year. Naturally, there’s tension between the brothers, which eventually resolves.

Jacob does join David for the Christmas break, where he gets along well with the Booths and reunites with his parents.

As well as this, R attempts to come after Amelia, resulting in the death of Alder Khanna. As well as being a devastating loss, it causes a rough patch in David and Rowan’s relationship when in her grief she winds up shouting “I wish I’d never met you, David Willows!” She only realises what she just said when the words leave her mouth but regardless, it causes a fracture within David’s larger circle of friends.

Eventually, the time comes for when David, Jacob and their allies take on the vaults like they had always dreamed of. Together, they face off against the guardian of the Sunken vault, an Ammit (based on the creature of Ancient Egyptian Mythology). Eventually the beast is defeated and they claim the treasure of the vaults, what seems to be the base of a necklace.

In a celebration at the Three Broomsticks, R attacks and murders Jacob. This sends David spiralling into grief, hitting his truly lowest point. He worked so hard, he rebuilt his family at home and forged a new one at Hogwarts, all the while hoping Jacob would be able to join them. And what was it all for? Nothing.

Before the school year is up... he snaps his wand and runs away from Hogwarts. Not to Liverpool, not to Lancaster, just anywhere but there. It will keep his friends and family safe or so he reasons. Deep down though, he thinks it’s cowardly.

During this time, he finds his way to Glasgow and starts sleeping rough on the streets all the while battling with grief, anger and self loathing. This goes on for two months before Moody tracks him down, apparating him to a secluded area of the Scottish countryside, kicks his arse and talks him down. Taking him to Grimmauld Place afterwards with the intention of formulating a plan to take the fight to R. 

Where he finds most of his remaining friends waiting for him. At first he staunchly refuses their help, feeling he’s already put enough people in danger. Yet they refuse to leave.

This is actually the moment where the Circle of Khanna is formed, this time named for Alder. Reconciling with Rowan after a serious heart-to-heart.

Year 7: ...Let’s just say R is going to regret setting David Willows on the warpath.

R’s destruction becomes widely regarded news, however David allows Moody to take the credit for it. Frankly, by this point he’s sick of any attachment to the Cabal and just wants to play Quidditch.

He’s able to pass his NEWTS and win the Quidditch cup for Hufflepuff one last time, resulting in him being offered the position as beater on the Wimborne Wasps.

Post-Hogwarts:

David and Merula work things out, moving in together. Though it’s odd with David still keeping at his Quidditch training and Merula now working for Gringotts as a curse-breaker. After winning the British and Irish League for the Wasps in 1993, he proposes to Merula which she accepts.

In 1994, they have a wedding in the summer time with Rowan being David’s best woman. They did plan on having kids until Cedric’s murder at the hands of Voldemort. With Quidditch cancelled and Merula being affiliated to Gringotts, both are approached to work for the Order. 

Though initially very hesitant, David agrees. Eliminating Death Eaters, rescuing their hostages and even fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts.

He returns to the Quidditch scene when it starts up again in 1999, helping the Wasps win the cup three more times. 1999 is also the year in which Merula and David have their first kid, Robin. After the latest victory in 2002 he discovers Merula is pregnant again, and his retirement from Quidditch is looming on the horizon. He’s convinced by Judith Harris (@judediangelo75) to teach for a few weeks over the summer at KC’s (@kc-needs-coffee) quidditch summer camp.  It’s here that he develops a love for teaching. Getting in touch with professor Flitwick to work as his assistant before becoming the Charms professor. 

In early 2003, he welcomes his son Nicholas into the world.

Family

Matthew Hall (father): 

Face Claim: Ben Miller

A stern but fair man and CIMA-qualified accountant originally from Yorkshire, Matthew met David’s biological mother Rue when he was on a business trip to Dublin in 1956. Encountering her in a quiet pub being told “I’ve dealt with a real dragon today” when he asked if she was okay on account of how tired she looked. Matthew took it as a joke but Rue was being entirely serious. They struck up a friendship and began dating, eventually getting married in 1961 and having Jacob in 1964. 

initially, he was fascinated by the existence of the wizarding world but soon came to fear it after Jacob’s disappearance. Divorcing Rue afterwards and cutting off contact from David aside from agreeing to send child maintenance. However, after being chewed out by his girlfriend Lyra, he all but begs David to come visit him in Lancaster over Christmas in 1984. 

The reason being that Amelia’s magical abilities finally began to manifest, which became a cause of conflict between David and Matthew, largely from David thinking that was the only reason he was invited. Eventually, they come to an understanding and try to work on improving their relationship.

Rue Willows (mother): 

Face Claim: Fiona O’Carroll

A dragonologist from Dublin in the employ of the Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau. Though she was strict, she was generally attentive towards David, being the one who taught him to draw.

After Jacob’s disappearance however, she became very withdrawn and austere. It was her way of opting for a ‘tough love’ approach, thinking she had been too soft and in her misguidance tried to control David’s life. Even then, she still grieved, frequently getting into arguments with David about his behaviour at school, bringing up Jacob when David tried to make her proud of him and other such things. 

During the start of the summer break between first and second year, David finally stands up to her properly. The words that get through to her are the following, “That stranger’s name is Lyra and she’s been a better mum to me in the weeks I’ve known her than you have for me in years.” and “I love you too mum... but I don’t know if I like you anymore.”

She does a lot of soul searching after that, staying with relatives in America for a year before coming back and promising to do better with her and David’s relationship.

Lyra Booth (nee Robinson) (step-mother):

Face Claim: Ruth Wilson

A muggle and CIMA-qualified accountant originally from London, left widowed in 1980 after her first husband, Peter died in a car accident. She met Matthew when working at an accounting firm in Lancaster shortly after his divorce from Rue. After a couple months of knowing each other, the two began dating, Lyra introduced him to her children, who he hit it off well with.

She knew he had a son who he sent child maintenance to but it wasn’t revealed until Amelia accidentally made a plant pot explode in a fit of frustration that Lyra learned the truth. Consequently... she blew up at Matthew for as good as abandoning as his son. Insisting on inviting him around for Christmas.

While David was prickly when he first came around, he eventually warmed up to her and the rest of the Booths, being a positive maternal influence on him.

Jacob Hall (brother) (deceased):

Face Claim: Tom Holland

David’s only biological sibling, a gifted though trouble-making student, first became interested in the cursed vaults during his first year when he was informed about the legend by seventh year Patricia Rakepick. In his sixth year, he stood up for fellow Gryffindor Angelica Cole when she was being bullied (at the time she was a first year).

His investigation into the vaults would put him into conflict with the mysterious cult known as R. A conflict that would put his family in danger and even cost him his life.

Alex Booth (step-brother):

Face Claim: Jody Latham

The eldest of the Booth siblings, Alex is a highly protective big brother and was worried upon realising his little sister was going to be part of a world none of them had any knowledge about. He tried to make David feel welcome despite the younger boy’s hostility.

When David attempted to run away during his first stay with the Booths, Alex caught him in the act and made a deal, get past him and he wouldn’t tell anyone he’d left. Though David was tenacious, Alex stopped him every time even pointing out the flaws in David’s technique if he tried to physically fight Alex. After David finally gave up, Alex didn’t breathe a word of his run away attempt to anyone. David would take up Alex’s offer to teach him muay thai during his first visit.

Sarah Booth (step-sister):

Face Claim: Emilia Clarke

The middle child of the Booth siblings and also the least welcoming, Sarah was most vocally against Amelia being part of the wizarding world. She treated David coldly at first, going on a grouse hunting trip with her friends the day after he arrived to stay with them for Christmas.

However, at some point, she caught him reading an old copy of a Shooting Times magazine and after some persuasion by Alex, took David clay pigeon shooting. Becoming quite impressed, and even a little endeared from how quickly he picked up shooting.

Amelia Booth (step-sister):

Face Claim: Maisie Williams

A muggleborn witch and the youngest of the Booth siblings, Amelia was surprised to realise she possessed magical abilities. Though was even more shocked to learn Matthew already knew about it.

When she was five years old, she was involved in the car accident that killed her father. Resulting in her being scarred with a gash on the right side of her forehead, a similar one on her left cheek and a larger one that cuts across from shoulder to her chest. Though she repressed the memory, she did indeed see her father die, thus Thestrals are visible to her. Another thing the accident did was give her motorphobia, though can tolerate it as long as she’s A) In control of the vehicle and B) It’s not motorised.

However, she does have a love of cycling, she was taught to do so by her dad before he died. Similarly, gymnastics helped her get some of her confidence back after the accident and still keeps up with it. A love of plants and animals prompts her to excel in Herbology and Potions, then later COMC.

Allegiances

Hogwarts House: Hufflepuff

Affiliations: The Circle of Khanna, The Wimborne Wasps, The Order of the Phoenix, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Professions: Beater for the Wimborne Wasps (1991-95)

Agent of the Order of the Phoenix (1995 - 98)

Resumes position as beater for the Wasps (1999-2003)

Charms Assistant Teacher (2003 - 05)

Charms Teacher (2005 - present)

Hogwarts Information

Class Proficiencies:

Astronomy: E

Charms: O

DADA: O

Herbology: E

History of Magic: A

Potions: A

Transfiguration: E

Electives:

Care of Magical Creatures: A

Muggle Studies: O

Quidditch:

Hufflepuff Beater (1985 - 91)

Hufflepuff Captain (after Orion graduates) (1989 - 91)

Extra Curricular:

Duelling Club (Becomes known as one of the best duellers in Hogwarts)

Art Club

Football Club (Founder)

Apparition Class (in 1991)

Favourite Professors:

Professor Sprout, his head of house and someone he feels he can go to if he needs advice. One of several people who warned him about being careful with Patricia Rakepick.

Professor Mcgonagall, his Transfiguration teacher and head of Jacob’s house when he was at Hogwarts. Though they disagree entirely on him tackling the vaults, he always pays attention in her lessons as while she’s often stern she can be a great teacher.

Professor Flitwick, as his Charms teacher, David always found Flitwick to be respectable. David especially respects Flitwick for teaching him Expelliarmus, even after he was honest in what he intended to do with it (i.e. use it in a duel against Merula). Also came for Flitwick’s help in developing Cometa.

Least Favourite Professors:

Professor Binns: Finds his droning entirely too boring and really only passed History of Magic thanks to Rowan.

Every other professor he’s either neutral on (Snape and Trelwany) or he likes but aren’t his favourites (Kettleburn).

Best Canon friends:

Rowan Khanna

Diego Caplan

Nymphadora Tonks

Penny Haywood

Chiara Lobosca

(David plus the above five make up the original members of the Hufflesquad)

Bill Weasley

Charlie Weasley

Erika Rath

Orion Amari

Badeea Ali

Barnaby Lee

Liz Tuttle

Love interest:

Erika Rath (crush)

Nymphadora Tonks (first kiss)

Liz Tuttle (dated briefly in third year but broke things off fairly amicably when they realised they were developing crushes on other people).

Merula Snyde (began dating in fourth year, later marries David in 1994)

Best MC friends:

Judith Harris (@judediangelo75): The closest of his MC friends, David and Judith first get acquainted by being pushed into friendship... somewhat subtly by Penny Haywood. Both of them catch on when Penny mentions they should try out for the Quidditch team. Both of them still go for it, bonding over a shared love of martial arts and proving they have the potential to be fearsome beaters.

Throughout their time at Hogwarts, David and Judith would demonstrate a fierce loyalty to each other, being as close as siblings. David even becoming godfather to her children, Bakari and Kendrick.

Cato Reese (@catohphm): David was first introduced to Cato by Penny. The two find themselves sharing very similar values, having a great love their friends and absolute ruthlessness towards their enemies.

Like anyone involved in the Quidditch scene at Hogwarts, David has a bit of a rivalry with him. Tending to trash talk him (though with no real weight behind it), Cato understands that David doesn’t mean it.

Katriona Cassiopea (KC) (@kc-needs-coffee): The two of them are sports fanatics, they could talk to each other for hours about Quidditch. While David definitely knows more about footy, he’s eager to learn about any sport, such as baseball which KC is highly knowledgeable about.

KC would be one of the first to jump at the football matches David organises during his time at Hogwarts. 

Lizzie Jameson (@lifeofkaze​): Like David, Lizzie is an avid fan of LFC. Even meeting up at some point with their respective partners to watch a footy match at Anfield, where Liverpool were playing. 

On the quidditch pitch, Lizzie is a chaser and knows she can count on David to keep the bludgers off her back.

If any of your MCs would want to be friends with David, let me know!

Rivals:

Merula Snyde (For most of his time at Hogwarts).

During Quidditch: Erika Rath, Skye Parkin, Andre Egwu, Charlie Weasley, Angelica Cole, Oliver Wood, Cato Reese and Katriona Cassiopea.

Enemies:

R (including Patricia Rakepick, Fenrir Greyback and Peter Pettigrew).

The Snyde family (minus Merula)

Voldemort

Death Eaters

Magical Abilities

1st Wand: Blackthorn, unicorn hair core, ten and a quarter inches, slightly springy and flexible. Snaps it in half shortly just before the end of sixth year, citing, “What kind of warrior can’t even protect his own brother?”

Blackthorn, which is a very unusual wand wood, has the reputation, in my view very well-merited, of being best suited to a warrior.

Unicorn hair generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. Wands with unicorn cores are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard. Minor disadvantages of unicorn hair are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may ‘die’ and need replacing.

2nd Wand: English Oak, Dragon Heartstring core, twelve and a half inches, unbending.

A wand for the good times and bad, this is a friend as loyal as the wizard who deserves it. Wands of English Oak demand partners of strength, courage and fidelity. Obtained from Garrick Ollivander while being accompanied by Alastor Moody.

As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon  wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner. The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.  

Animagus form: A ram, specifically of a Dalesbred Sheep. Rams symbolise determination, initiative and leadership, factors that are put to the test more than once during his time at Hogwarts.

Misc magical abilities: Legilimens, Rue informs him of potentially inheriting her legilimens ability between third year and fourth year when he tells her of his delve into the Vault of Fear. David prefers not using it on people, rather using it to see through the eyes of animals as his great grandfather Reuben used to do.

Occlumency: Snape, at Dumbledore’s behest begins teaching David the art of Occlumency in fifth year.

Non-verbal magic: David began learning the non-verbal use of magic in fifth year thanks to professor Flitwick. Becoming highly skilled in it by his seventh year.

Spell creation: Assists in the creation of Stella Cascadia alongside Badeea Ali. Given how dangerous the vaults could be, he begins to work on another spell inspired by Stella Cascadia alongside several of his friends, Cometa, the comet jinx.

Boggart Form: Initially, Jacob as a death eater after hearing about the rumours of him taking Voldemort’s side.

From year four onwards, himself as a dark wizard as he worries about the path the vaults will set him on.

Riddikulus Form: Death eater Jacob’s mask turns into a pie that promptly splats him in the face.

Later, his dark wizard self in the uniform of Everton Football Club with a blue clown nose and wig to match. Since he’s a Liverpool Football Club supporter, seeing himself in one his rival team’s colours as a clown is hilarious to him.

Amortentia (what do they smell like?): A sea breeze and heather.

Amortentia (what do they smell?): Freshly mown grass and clear air after a rainfall.

Patronus: African wild dog, a symbol of his loyalty and relentless pursuit of his goals.

Patronus memory: -Attending the LFC vs Nottingham Forest semi final match of the Football League Cup at Anfield on the 12th February 1980 with his dad and Jacob. They drew 1-1 and LFC didn’t get through to the final but David was still happy to be there with both them.

Mirror of Erised: Jacob being back, alongside all of his friends and family. All of them are safe and well.

Specialised/ favourite spells: 

Cometa, a spell that David creates in sixth year with the help of Badeea Ali, Rowan Khanna, Merula Snyde, Diego Caplan and professor Flitwick. Inspired by Stella Cascadia, and using some principles from the Ice Jinx, the spell initially creates cricket ball-sized pieces of ice that explode into a mist when they impact against something. This makes it especially useful for blinding or disorienting a target. Later they develop the more-powerful Cometa Maxima in seventh year. Its main limitations are maintaining eye contact directed at the target (as is the case for all jinxes) and its general range is quite short (about twenty five feet) due to the “comet” (really a mix of ice, dust and gases) disintegrating quite quickly.

Protego Diabolica, A spell taught to him by Felix Rosier in sixth year, nothing says “Get away from my friends!” Like a massive wall of blue flame that incinerates enemies and leaves allies unharmed.

Expelliarmus, the Disarming charm taught to David by Professor Flitwick in first year is one of his go-to spells when duelling.

Protego, learned in order to protect himself from spells and other projectiles.

Healing spells: Largely taught to him by Chiara throughout their time at Hogwarts, healing spells have come in handy more than once when he needs to preserve his own or his friend’s lives.

Expecto Patronum, though niche, a spell that can get rid of a dementor is nothing to scoff at. Plus it’s a sentimental reminder of his friendship with Tonks.

Incendio, good as a fire-starter and a duelling spell, also reminds him of a time when Merula stood up to Rita Skeeter for him by burning her camera.

Misc Information

-David is a huge supporter of Liverpool Football Club (LFC), so much so one of his casuals is a club uniform.

-As well as Needle, David has other creatures on the reserve, Lucky (Knarl), Clop (Porlock), Bonita (fairy), Mori (thestral), and Chen (Chinese fireball).

[alexsfictionaddiction]

Alex Recommends: November Books

I’m delighted to report that November has been a quiet, chilled month. That’s exactly what I’ve needed before the hecticness that will be December. I’ve had plenty of work to do recently but in terms of travel and social occasions, it has been thin on the ground and I’ve fully embraced that!

The cold is setting in here and I’ve been cosying up with Christmas films and TV shows. This is my favourite time of year and I’m determined to make the most of it by indulging in all my favourite things. I’m very happy to have got most of my Christmas shopping done already, so I do feel that I can fully relax properly and enjoy the season now.

November was the month that I somehow managed to reach the 200 books read mark for 2021. I’ve never read that much in a single year (and there’s still a month to go!) but I am really proud of myself. I’ve read an amazing variety of genres and cultures too, so I’m hoping this is something I’ll be able to continue into 2022. I’ve been approved for many 2022 releases that sound amazing, so I can’t wait to start reviewing them for you!

Here are five books that I’ve enjoyed this month that I think you will too. Stock up on these fantastic stories and give your loved ones the best gifts you possibly can this Christmas -books!

-Love, Alex x

FICTION: We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza.

Riley and Jen have been best friends since they were children. Now as adults, Riley is a single Black woman and successful broadcaster on a national TV network while Jen is finally pregnant after years of trying. When Jen’s husband Kevin, a white police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black boy, their friendship is thrown into turmoil. This immersive novel about race and how it affects everyone completely gripped me in its clutches and refused to let go. With themes of systemic racism, white privilege and motherhood, it’s a story of a very strong and loving but flawed friendship. It’s both highly emotional and fantastically hopeful. A must-read for our time!

LITERARY FICTION: Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout.

The third book in the Amgash series sees Lucy Barton reunite with her ex-husband William, as he investigates the case of a half-sister that he never knew he had. Lucy Barton is a very flawed but relatable and wise character. The book oozes empathy and simplicity while celebrating the complexities and joys of human relationships. It’s a simple story with themes of mental health, motherhood and miscarriage decorated with a warm humour and a beautiful, everlasting friendship.

MIDDLE-GRADE: The Chime Seekers by Ross Montgomery.

Yanni hates his new house and his baby sister Ari but when an evil faerie replaces her with a changeling, Yanni knows that he has to get her back. With the help of his fantasy-loving cousin Amy, he must journey to the faerie realm of Hallow Fall to embark on an epic quest to save his sister and the faeries from the tyranny of a nefarious overlord. The intricate world-building in this fairytale with strong Rumplestiltskin vibes is amazing. There is a fantastic variety of mythical creatures and an adventure with genuine high stakes. I was fully absorbed in the magic of Hallow Fall and was constantly championing the lovely friendships. A gorgeous winter, middle-grade fantasy read!

YA: How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao.

When Nancy’s best friend Jamie goes missing before being found dead, shockwaves ripple through their elite high school. Then a mystery online presence named ‘The Proctor’ begins posting secrets and inside information about the people around Jamie. Rumours start to circulate that Nancy and her friends Krystal, Alexander and Akil might have had something to do with Jamie’s death, so they have to uncover what really happened before everything comes crashing down around them. This is a really gripping YA thriller with a completely unguessable resolution because everyone seems to be a suspect. It explores issues of class amongst Asian families, which reminded me of Crazy Rich Asians, but that’s really where the similarities end. There is a student/teacher relationship which is very easy to hate and adds to the drama of what’s going on. A perfect winter read for Karen M. McManus fans.

THRILLER: The Last House On Needless Street by Catriona Ward.

A young girl went missing years ago and her sister thinks she has finally found the man responsible. She can finally get revenge. In an ordinary house on an ordinary street, this man is living an existence that very few people know anything about at all. There are things buried in the woods by Needless Street but they’re probably not what you think they are. A lot of people have talked about this book in recent months and it’s a given now that this book is very strange and unsettling. I didn’t really grasp what was really happening for the first half of the book but things gradually began to make sense. It’s a very clever novel with themes of loneliness, trauma, abuse and only realising the impact of these things in later life. I understand why some readers wouldn’t like the way that the truth of this story is used but I very much appreciated it for the excellence of the characters and overall uneasy feeling that meant I couldn’t put it down.

[twoidiotwriters1]

Written In The Stars XCIV (Harry Potter xF!Oc)

A/N: This has nothing to do with the story I just want to say I believe in Bi!Fred Weasley supremacy -Danny

Words: 2,621 

Series’ Masterlist

Previous Chapter // Next Chapter

Listen to: This kiss -By Faith Hill

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Unwanted Attention.

Their little trip to the kitchens ended up in a bad note when they found Winky drunk in butterbeer and Hermione broke, yelling to all the house-elves about their rights. 

Least to say they were unpleased. They kicked them out, Ron was so angry at Hermione for ruining his chances at getting more free food that they didn't stop bickering for the rest of the day.

Normally, Mel and Harry would've complained and roll their eyes, but considering this as a huge opportunity to finally spend time alone, they left the angry pair in the common room and went to the Owlery, where they sent a package filled with wonderful food to Sirius.

They stayed there for a while, leaning on the windowsill and talking. Closer to each other as the night started to fall.

"I wish things were a little bit different," Mel said wistfully. "I would take you on pretty dates, not caring about useless rumours..."

"I don't want dates, I only care about being with you," Harry shrugged, playing with her fingers. "Everything else doesn't really matter... unless it does to you?"

"Not really...  I'd love to have a quieter time in school, but that's impossible when you're here," She teased. "You bring nothing but trouble, Potter."

"You like it, though," He smirked. "At least a bit, if you've stuck around for so long, I doubt it annoys you that much..."

"What d'you want me to say?" She scrunched up her nose, knowing the question would only make him even keener to tease.

"I'd love to hear that you like me," He replied boldly. "Don't you like me?"

She caught his hand playfully and stroked the back of it, humming to herself.

"Do you?" She finally questioned.

"I like myself plenty," Mel slapped his arm playfully and he laughed. "I fancy you a lot."

"You know," She looked away. "I really like this weather."

She fixed her eyes on Hagrid digging outside his cabin, perhaps planting something.

"I like you," Harry beamed, his hand closing around hers. "I also like to say that I like you, feels good to admit it."

"Been dreaming about this for a while, have you?" Mel smiled, still not looking at him. She was trying to keep her composure, even though the air felt charged and it was getting harder to breathe.

"You haven't?"

Madame Maxime got out of her carriage and walked to Hagrid, seemingly trying to start a conversation.

"Not at all," She said absently. Harry stiffened beside her and she giggled.

"You're funny..." He pouted. Unexpectedly, he reached for her waist with his free arm and pulled her closer. "Really, you crack me up."

Hagrid responded to whatever the woman was saying but he didn't talk much. In the end, the woman walked back to her carriage looking defeated.

"I think Madame Maxime regrets what she did to Hagrid," She said. Harry, who'd been half-looking at the scene as well as shamelessly flirting with her, nodded with very little interest.

"Guess she realized how stupid it's to worry about what others think..."

"Isn't that kind of the same to what we're doing?" Mel frowned.

"What d'you mean?"

"We're hiding from all of our loved ones. We care about what others think."

Harry came out of his daze then, blinking in confusion.

"This is different. We're not hiding because we're afraid, we do it 'cause we know Skeeter would bring it out of context."

"Okay then, why do we hide it from Ron and Hermione?"

"Well," Harry looked away. "I don't know..."

"We know they'd be happy for us..."

"Yeah."

"Then why do we hide it?"

"We don't want to ruin it," Harry shrugged. "You know what I mean, I won't try to explain it."

She smiled at how easy it was to talk to Harry now that they knew about their feelings.

"You know, sometimes you can be clever..."

He scoffed, shaking his head in amusement.

"Look at you, all cute and frustrated," She cupped his face with her free hand and squeezed his cheek lovingly.

"Quiet, Mellow."

However, before she could decide whether or not to be quiet, Harry leaned further and kissed her.

Mel wasn't expecting to see any reaction from her classmates when the article about Hermione and Harry's relationship spread around school. Few people believed it, but the most they would do was stare, wondering how come Harry was so comfortable around her despise his 'heartbreak'.

She knew –because Erick told her– that most people were confused, they'd thought that Harry and Mel were the ones dating. Now that those rumours had been killed by the article and none of the people involved were interested in clearing things out, the interest has worn out, most students moved on; Harry and Mel were being less watched, which gave opportunities to sneak away from prying eyes more often. However, they completely forgot that it wasn't only the Hogwarts students receiving these articles and reading them in their spare time. On Monday morning, they got a very unpleasant surprise.

Hermione mentioned a subscription to the Daily Prophet and was waiting to get it when an owl came down to their table.

"How many subscriptions did you take out?" said Harry when four other owls landed next to the one.

"What on earth—?" Hermione took one of the envelopes. Mel took another and examined it. "Oh really!" Her friend scoffed.

"What's up?" said Ron.

"It's — oh how ridiculous —"

She handed the letter to Harry, it was a bunch of letters from a newspaper cut out and rearranged messily:

'You are a WickEd giRL. HarRy PotTER desErves BeTteR. GO back wherE you cAMe from mUGgle.'

"They're all like it! 'Harry Potter can do much better than the likes of you...' 'You deserve to be boiled in frog spawn...' Ouch!" A liquid with a strong smell came out of the last letter she'd opened and poured over the girl's hands.

"Undiluted bubotuber pus!" Ron winced.

"Ow!" Hermione teared up, trying to clean up her own hands.

"Don't spread it!" Mel stopped her, she took Hermione's arm and helped her up.

"You'd better get up to the hospital wing," said Harry, looking at her in concern. "We'll tell Professor Sprout where you've gone..."

Mel made an attempt to follow her but Hermione mumbled 'Get rid of the rest', before hurrying out of the Great Hall.

"I warned her! I warned her not to annoy Rita Skeeter! Look at this one..." Ron picked one up and read in horror.  "'I read in Witch Weekly about how you are playing Harry Potter false and that boy has had enough hardship and I will be sending you a curse by next post as soon as I can find a big enough envelope.' Blimey, she'd better watch out for herself."

"Who do they think they are?" Mel asked in anger. "Feeling entitled to attack a fourteen-year-old without knowing the whole story!"  

When they were heading to Care of Magical Creatures, Pansy talked from a few feet away:

"Potter, have you split up with your girlfriend? Why was she so upset at breakfast?"

"She found out your brain's beyond repair and that just broke her," Mel spat, pulling her friends forward.

They studied nifflers for Hagrid's class, made a funny little competition out of it, which Ron surprisingly won. However, for some reason that didn't please him. Hermione got back at the end of the class with her hands completely bandaged and informed Hagrid about her misfortune.

"Aaah, don' worry," Hagrid replied softly. "I got some o' those letters an' all, after Rita Skeeter wrote abou' me mum. 'Yeh're a monster an' yeh should be put down.' 'Yer mother killed innocent people an' if you had any decency you'd jump in a lake.'.. Yeah, they're jus' nutters, Hermione. Don' open 'em if yeh get any more. Chuck 'em straigh' in the fire."

Ron was unusually quiet, frowning at the prize he'd won in Hagrid's class (a chocolate bar from Honeydukes).

"What's the matter? Wrong flavour?" Harry asked gently.

"No... Why didn't you tell me about the gold?"

"What gold?"

"The gold I gave you at the Quidditch World Cup. The leprechaun gold I gave you for my Omnioculars. In the Top Box. Why didn't you tell me it disappeared?"

Harry and Mel shared a look before they finally remembered what was he talking about.

"Oh! I dunno... I never noticed it had gone. I was more worried about my wand, wasn't I?"

"Must be nice," Ron said quietly. "To have so much money you don't notice if a pocketful of Galleons goes missing."

"Listen, I had other stuff on my mind that night," Harry replied sternly. "We all did, remember?"

"I didn't know leprechaun gold vanishes," He said with embarrassment. "I thought I was paying you back. You shouldn't've given me that Chudley Cannon hat for Christmas."

"Forget it, all right?" Harry insisted.

Ron stared intently at the food of his plate and mumbled, "I hate being poor. It's rubbish. I don't blame Fred and George for trying to make some extra money. Wish I could. Wish I had a niffler."

"You're not poor," Mel patted his hand lovingly. "Not in the ways that matter– look at Malfoy, he has all that money and he's always in a terrible mood. He's got terrible friends as well."

"Yeah, but it wouldn't hurt if I could buy new things for once, would it?" He pouted.

"Well, we know what to get you next Christmas," Hermione tried to lighten the mood. "Come on, Ron, it could be worse. At least your fingers aren't full of pus? I hate that Skeeter woman! I'll get her back for this if it's the last thing I do!"

With the arrival of Hermione's hate mail also came a new wave of interest for Harry's love life, which meant they had to go back to the stage of walking on their tiptoes to avoid any unwanted attention, and it was driving them mad.

Hermione grew obsessed with finding out how Skeeter was getting all the information, Harry suggested that maybe she'd put microphones around the school but Hermione quickly brushed it away, reminding them about how that sort of Muggle technology was of no use around school.

The teachers were handing them more and more work as the end of the year started to inch closer. Mel and Dumbledore finally moved on from wandless spells to tracing hidden magic and she was doing splendidly well, mostly because she wanted to get everything done so they could start with her animagus studies.

The last days of May, Harry and Mel were in the library discussing Percy's letter while searching for some books for her lessons. Ron didn't want to join them and Hermione was busy with her research, so they found themselves in the bliss of another moment for the two of them only.

"Percy's in denial, he's too fond of his new position," Mel commented as she reached for a book in a higher shelf. "He's a pain, too young to be given all that power..."

"I thought you admired Percy," Harry replied.

"I appreciated his dedication while he was in school but I this is getting out of hand, something tells me he's not apt for the job."

"I reckon he strongly disagrees," Harry took the books as Mel handed the lot to him.

"Well, we're as close to figuring that out as we are to finish our assignments. I can't wait to be back home next month!" She tried to take the books from Harry's hands, but he refused to let go. "Just imagine– Glasses, knock it off! I'm capable of carrying my books!– As I was saying... picture us with all the time in the world to do whatever we want..."

"We could go to the movies!" Harry offered. "I have no muggle money, but maybe Emily could take us to Gringotts so I can exchange a few galleons..."

"I like the sound of that, we're old enough to do so," She happily walked up to the table on the corner.

"Been dreaming about it, have you?" Harry teased. She left the books on the table and stopped.

"What I've been dreaming of," Mel said carefully, "is for the tournament to end. I feel like I'll only be able to rest once it's over."

"I haven't been terrible in it, have I?" He tilted his head.

"You know I don't mean that," She lifted a hand and pushed some strands of hair away from his eyes. He sighed shortly, leaning into her hand instinctively.

"Just one more task," Harry said quietly. "Then it'll be over."

She nodded in silence, that wasn't the only thing she was thinking. Mel was hoping for the moment when they would finally be together in peace, without articles and journalists nagging around... Mel moved her hand from his cheek to the back of his neck and, catching him off guard, kissed him.

This one, though still innocent and short, conveyed all the emotions she was feeling. A loud thud startled them and caused her to bump noses with Harry. She heard him grunt as she held onto her own nose, tearing up a bit.

"My apologies!" A voice came from behind. "Did I take you by surprise? Well, I dare say you're not the only ones..."

"Not you," Mel groaned. "Why, of all the people that could've found us it ended up being you..."

"It's a gift," Erick smiled with no hints of shame, sitting down at the table they were planning to take. "It gives me the opportunity to eavesdrop a bit, and Merlin, it's always worth it."

"You can't tell anyone!" She hissed, finally letting go of her nose. "Not even Hermione!"

His eyes widened in wild interest. "Why, is this the first time that happens?" He looked at Harry. "Well, it certainly didn't look like it. Most of us think you're almost married. What is it?"

Mel felt so stupid, caught red-handed after all their efforts...

"You know what Skeeter would do with the information, now more than ever," She grumbled.

"That doesn't sound fun, does it?" Erick inquired, she'd never seen him so ecstatic.

"Just keep your mouth shut, will you?" Harry spat, his voice came out muffled since he was covering his mouth. Mel was about to scold him when Erick let out a hearthy laugh.

"Never been one to gossip– I'm happy for you though, it's been exasperating, flirting with Mel without her noticing to get a response from you. I had to hold back from getting involved so often!"

"That was you holding back?" Mel scoffed. "Can't imagine what unrestrained would look like... What are you doing here?"

"This is a library," He replied with a grin. "Believe it or not, I study without you."

"Okay then, study."

"I'm about to, this is my table."

"I don't see your name on it–"

"We can share it–"

"Not after what you just saw, I won't tolerate your teasing," Mel blushed furiously, picking up her books. "We'll go back to the tower, Harry, c'mon..."

"Be my guest," Erick half-bowed from his seat.

"You're enjoying this too much," She glared at him.

"Haven't even reached the I-told-you-so phase, you've seen nothing," He retorted. "Take your girlfriend before she sets the library on fire, Potter."

Harry rolled his eyes at the pair. He wasn't going to admit it, especially not in front of Flint, but he'd felt a pleasant boost of energy at the word girlfriend.

"Come on, Mel..." He nodded at the boy. "I hope to never meet you like this again, Flint. Bye."

"Have a good night, lovebirds."

Next Chapter —>

Taglist.

@dee123ksha​ @vampiregirl1797 @siriuslysirius1107 @stardusthigh @mikariell95 @vernon-dursley @thesuitelifeofafangirl @tomshollandz @kylosleftbuttcheek @reverse-hxlland @bloodorangemoonlight @omiwashere​ @t-rexs-world

[zinaidas]

HER EYES, HER LARGE DARK EYES, WERE AMBIGUOUS — 

𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄: zinaida petrovna sabitova

𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐄: the sacred

𝐀𝐆𝐄: twenty-five

𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: principal dancer at the bolshoi ballet

𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓: here.

—a delicate nose tucked into a fur collar, the flashing of camera bulbs white-cold and relentless as the snow, perfume no one can identify, a knife hanging from the ceiling; thread fraying, the slow undoing of a velvet bow, walking into the sea in an evening dress, the bargains made in folktales, smiling without showing teeth, heat from a spotlight, a striking figure in a black dress, blood in pointe shoes, unopened gifts, kissing a cold statue, balancing atop the balcony railing, straining muscles, lying naked atop the bedspread, a rose pushed to bowing under the weight of snowdrift, a crown that mysteriously fits, swans on the morning lake, lipstick stains, pulling death from the tarot deck, the gaze of a room sweeping in one direction, a glass throne, flowers being thrown on stage, grainy black and white footage of far-away figures, the cold draft through a window purposefully left open, the scent of perfume lingering in an empty room, perfect posture, the shot that puts down a lame horse.

𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘, 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐀 & 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐓 !

trigger warnings for: implied sex work, sexual assault, drowning, suicide, & attempted suicide.

𝘏𝘐𝘚𝘛𝘖𝘙𝘠 !

i swear this is abbreviated compared to her app... i swear...

𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐈: 𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐒.

she’s raised by her mother in an apartment with red walls, a colour she remembers not as blood-red or rose-red but heart-red. her mother is beautiful in the way no single individual should be and charming in a way that borders on symptomatic of terror. as a woman she excels, captivating hearts around her without intention and outright pilfering those she aims for, but as a mother she knows little. it is never a secret to little zinaida that she was an unplanned child — the absence of a father is evidence enough.

her childhood is blurred and full of a great deal of whirring colour; the red walls, the churning silhouettes cast by light of a candle, the twirl of her mother’s skirt before she leaves for the night. girlhood is always full of this motion and little stillness — the solid, rectangular parts of life such as school and full meals are of little importance to zinaida’s mother, and sometimes forgotten altogether. she learns to be a quiet, undisruptive girl who does not whine when her stomach grumbles or the scent of smoke stains her clothes; she is educated on the value of trading rations for pure silk stockings when the war comes in place of the missed lessons. there is no time beauty is required more, mother says, than in duress. always, it prevails.

at night she sits on the edge of mother’s bed and watches as she applies makeup at the vanity, setting her face with rouge and powder in flaking gilt packages. it’s like magic those hours, watching her mother transform into a proud creature even more beautiful and untouchable than the one in the beginning, and how it is that extraordinary demi-being that returns home with beautiful trinkets or thick handfuls of paper bills. each morning she comes home, until the one she does not.

the man in the dark suit arrives at her front door and tells little zinaida, whose height only reaches his hip, one thing she knows to be a half-truth and one thing that she does not know of at all: that her mother is a prostitute, and a traitor to the soviet union. these things are explained to her as both independent facts and contingent clauses, like the two angular pieces of a door hinge.

her mother is accused, she is told, of blackmailing one of the state council. young zinaida blinks, still gripping the doorknob. it is not news to her that her mother associates with rich and powerful men, but it is news to hear that this is a crime. blackmailing? she asks. yes, he says. it means to threaten with a piece of information. only, in this case, the information is false. she is lying, and she has been arrested. oh. the girl says. it seems very odd to her that her mother, who so often lessoned zinaida on the truths of the world as she saw them (for instance, that men were only afraid of the two things they could not control: beauty, and death), would be caught lying. what is the information? the man looks down at her from under his hat. it begins to rain behind him. you. she says you are his daughter. everyone has a father. she answers. why is this so bad? for the first time, the stranger in the doorway looks uncomfortable, lifting a hand to scratch the midday shadow along his jaw. she claims it is by force.

𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐈𝐈: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐆𝐄.

driven out from stalingrad into the surrounding country by the man in the dark hat, zinaida is taken to an estate with wrought iron gate, overrun with weeds and the sensation of time passed and left embittered for it. there she finds a half-dozen other girls, all bastards of important and high-sat men. she and the other girls call it the birdcage: for their imposed home gleamed like one, and because it housed a half-dozen little sparrows of young women, each of them trapped, fluttering at windows, waiting to get out and touch the world.

despite its size, the estate has few staff, and those who do cook and clean within the walls keep their silence like a photograph tucked in their pocket. uncle vanya, as they are told to call him, is the only one who speaks to the girls — though his speech is always stunted and harsh as a candle burned halfway down. he stands as both the head of household and, as zinaida would learn, the ballet master. dance, he says, is how they will occupy their days — ballet the medium which would instill discipline and self-control into their lives, things they will then carry into life as young women released back into the city.

the war feels so distant in the countryside, wrapped as they are in their strange, repetitious daily life. dance occupies both the time & intention of each day; if they are not practicing they are stretching, and if they are not stretching all that there is schoolwork, sleep, or chores.

zinaida, tall for her age and with a body made lean by intermittent poverty, is objectively made for the stage in ways she has no control over — but her skill, too, is preternatural. already accustomed to suffering, she has no wide eyes when uncle vanya chastises her, nor wobbling lip when her pointe shoes graft sections of skin from her toes and heels. she merely persists. more than that, she begins to exist. she has found what her mother told her about all that time ago: a beauty that survives even dread. even the end of the world.

her skill over the others — and perhaps even moreso, her desire to dance — is quickly noticed by the uncle and the girls both. her peers grow cold, irritated by what makes her different — what makes her special in a world where all must be communal. uncle vanya, however, pays closer attention. after dinner on her eighth birthday, he bends to one knee and looks zinaida in the eye, one hand on her shoulder. you can go to leningrad to dance, if you wish. they will teach you, and I can arrange it. will you go? she, with her raven-hair and bright, solemn little eyes looks back with a very simple answer: what else would I do?

( and she thinks, she thinks: if only i am good enough, perhaps they will take me to mother again. perhaps i will not be alone. )

𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐈𝐈𝐈: 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐃.

she comes of age in the breeding grounds of race and rivalry. zinaida is found, as uncle vanya has expected, a prodigal dancer with bodily proportions meant for the stage. her peers resent or flock to her, hoping to find a queen to please or a star to hitch to. so long without true companions, she is desperate for the affection of those around her — for friends, for lovers — but the demand of ballet, the pull of a future with the bolshoi, usurps the ability to make connection. still, she dreams. she imagines loving every individual who shows her kindness.

innessa anisimova is another vaganova pupil with great promise, and perhaps zinaida’s singular dearest friend. both seventeen and dark-haired, they are often mistaken for sisters, and take their places next to one another at the barre. though the academy and its tutors were brutal to all who entered, innessa is picked on by the school’s faculty, often critiqued by comparison to zinaida. they accuse her of having a leaden body, criticizing her footwork by saying it looked as though she had bricks tied to her feet. the stress of the training coupled with increasingly personal attacks, innessa’s mental health suffers until reaching a point of no return. on a cold november night, innessa looks to the verbal attacks of her instructors and takes her own life, lashing cinderblocks to her shoes and jumping into the nearby lake.

several months later, zinaida makes an attempt on her own life before a handful of instructors in a fit of mania. the knife is wrenched from her hand, but the motion leaves a 2-inch scar across her delicate neck. zinaida is given a brief reprieve from lessons, and the academy, unwilling to release their star, covers up the incident. still, rumours persist.

at eighteen, after graduation from vaganova and weeks prior to her debut with the bolshoi, zinaida goes the ‘60s version of viral after her measurements are taken in several national newspapers, put out as proof that she has the “perfect” ballet body printed along with interviews & articles. the image of her at 18, extended in fourth position while a journalist holds a measuring tape down her leg, along with subsequent video footage, has been widely circulated.

𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐈𝐕: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐉𝐄𝐖𝐄𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐖.

her debut is remarkable, her place as a celebrated figure quickly evolving into celebrity as she rises from the corpse to soloist and principal in a thin handful of years, two meteoric ascents. but the fame is not wholly naturally: instead, it is in part carefully cultivated. having sought an effigy for the general populace to rally behind and support — a face more personal than authority figures, and less frivolous than america’s movie stars — the soviet government decide on zinaida. she, with her generation-defining talent, exemplified a human excellence that could be strained into a narrative of natural soviet supremacy — a thing so potent, they want you to believe, that it manifested in the body itself.

she attends high profile events; she’s dressed in foreign clothes; her personal life is gossip; she’s seen on the arms of extremely important men. the glamour is muted but still there, meant to showcase what any soviet could attain through hard work and excellence; she is a celebrity, but of a different kind. much like her skeleton title, her reputation is carefully cultivated to be exactly that — sacred. the brand of her image is one meant to mark a certain exclusivity, a sanctity that cannot be broached by things unworthy. her absences are as important as her attendances, as it’s within these blank spaces that the general public can imagine what the government desires them to: that she resists parties for practice, dismisses romance for work. of all she has, all that zinaida knows as earned in truth is her position at the bolshoi — but even this remains at the discretion of the soviet government, as everything in her life does.

𝘙𝘜𝘔𝘖𝘜𝘙𝘚 & 𝘗𝘜𝘉𝘓𝘐𝘊 𝘗𝘌𝘙𝘊𝘌𝘗𝘛𝘐𝘖�� !

... ONLY ATTENDS EVENTS FOR A LARGE APPEARANCE FEE / half-true. she occasionally receives payment through the government for attending events they dictate to her, but she doesn’t have much of a choice anyway lol.

... WAS ENGAGED TO A YOUNG COUNCIL MEMBER, HAVING BEEN WON OVER BY HIS PURSUIT: ATTENDING EVERY SHOW OF THE 1960 SEASON / false. the councilman did attend every show, but the romance (and subsequent rumour) was contrived. this was largely done to unite a “people’s” figure with one of authority. zinaida and artyom mikhailov would have a brief and genuine relationship during this time, but it ended prematurely.

... WILL BE NAMED PRIMA BALLERINA AT THE END OF THE SEASON / ?? it’s considered an ill-kept secret and all-but-verified fact by the public, but we’ll see.

... CAUSED THE OVERSEERS OF HER VAGANOVA AUDITION TO CRY WITH HER PERFORMANCE / false. similar things have been said of her bolshoi audition, but it’s untrue.

... IS RELATED TO XYZ. / who knows. not zinaida. there are a handful of random rumours as to her parentage, but largely this is due to the fact that her life before vaganova is unknown. unwilling to have their figurehead linked to a scandalous birth or mother, the soviet gov has scrubbed and hid her records.

𝘛𝘙𝘐𝘝𝘐𝘈 !

to hide the scar on her neck, zinaida constantly wears necklaces and scarves - she’s known for wearing a black velvet choker even during rehearsals.

knows how to read palms and tarot cards by heart, skills remembered from her childhood with an unusual mother who came from a crooked house in the black woods. zin carries that little bit of witchiness quietly with her, between occasional occult practices and the mental ritualizing of her modern habits. superstitious, though she doesn’t like to show it.

frequently after performances, zinaida rushes from the fallen curtain to her dressing room, not stopping to speak to cast or crew. this likely incurs opinions of snobbish or diva behaviour, but it’s emotion rather than apathy that has her take to the private room. the emotions of a role, when not allowed to move and expel through performance, tend to overwhelm her once she stills -- leading to tears, tremors, and other vulnerabilities she doesn’t wish her peers to see.

the media and general populace have several nicknames for her, most prevalently the jewel of moscow (stalingrad? idk) and the tsarina (graduated from the tsarevna, her pre-principal nickname).

obsessive over preventative beauty and bodily measures -- even moreso than the average ballerina. there are lengthy morning and nighttime routines for both, with everything from face creams/serums to stretching, and the ritual of it soothes her.

she has no idea who her father is, but frequently thinks about the fact that any of the old men in authority she poses with for the papers could be Him. her patronymic was assigned to her before debut.

terrified of her own mortality, and subsequently dislikes being around the elderly.

contrary to what was told to her so many years ago, her mother was never arrested for attempting to blackmail a politician. she was, conversely, offered a large sum of money to send her illegitimate child to the estate in the country. though i’m still working through how she discovered this, zinaida is aware of at least part of this truth by now. 

has the awfully fatalistic habit of practicing choreography and positions on the edge of a high building, particularly when overcome with guilt, anger, or melancholy. to her, this is a resolute test -- either she is strong and agile enough to uphold herself, to balance with utter perfection, or she is not. and if she is not -- is life not ruined regardless?

applauded for the depth and intensity of her characterizations on stage and the ability to embody a role, removing the audience’s view from one of technical steps to that of a character and a story. her talent, generally speaking, is considered a once-in-a-generation -- along the lines of the anna pavlovas and margot fonteyns; a name that goes down in both russian and ballet history. 

𝘊𝘖𝘕𝘕𝘌𝘊𝘛𝘐𝘖𝘕𝘚 !

tbd. i just need to post this already gdi.

[nillamybread]

The Arcana School of Magic - Chapter 6

((This is a fan product based off an AU made by the lovely @sad-arcana-au. An additional thanks to @toastmgoats for submitting your apprentice to be a part of this AU. Apprentice applications are still open. I’m still SICK but less so.))

Chapter 6- A Heated Day

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

The day went slower than usual... The school almost seeming desolate and bare...

Almost like people were missing...

The first lesson of the day was Magic Biology with Valdemar. When the students arrived, however, there was nearly half a class missing and half a class full of rumours. Julian was one of the loudest, obviously freaked out by his sister's disappearance and nearly in tears. It was a sore sight to see for someone as strong, brave and quirky as the man sobbing before them. Vee pat his back and Atis gave him tissues, trying to calm him down and reassure him but it didn't work. Portia was still missing, and nothing would change that.

Meanwhile, Muriel sat more silent than before. His hair hiding his face as he played with his thumbs, trying to forget his missing friend. But alas, it wasn't that simple. He couldn't just magically forget about Asra. He never could. They were childhood friends, dare he say, sweethearts. He couldn't just forget the magician that easily. Grace sat next to him, trying to hold a conversation with the quiet male, reassuring him, however, the efforts were in vain. He looked emotionally broken down. Everyone did.

Well...

Everyone except for a certain pair.

Lucio, standing on the desk before the teacher's arrival, was showing off his new polished boots that his mother would kill for. He also flaunted his 'perfect' hair and his eyeliner, which amused most who felt down. Another who was not bothered by the disappearances was Kyan, head stuffed in a book she had pulled her bandanna down to her neck to wear as some sort of mouth guard with her uniform, she had also changed her normal black eyepatch to a deep, crimson red one. A subtle difference but a difference nonetheless. But soon, Valdemar arrived in the class.

The class settled as they went through the basics of the witch anatomy, familiar anatomy and a few magical creatures before they said something that made a few perk up.

"Some witches, wizards and other magical classes can use their powers without control in extreme spouts of emotion. This is due to a magical ability passed down in their family, usually passed down if one link of their family chain was a nymph, elf, or fairy. Examples of these symptoms would be spontaneously combusting into flames, crying blood, summoning a lake's worth of water or raining electricity from the sky. Some are able to master their element, however, some need help or a special push. Believe it or not, there is a nymph-witch hybrid in this room right now. She may seem normal to you, but she is no normal witch. Grace, will you please join me up here?"

The girl froze in her seat. Beads of sweat dripping down her forehead as she swallowed her fear and stood up, walking down the stairs of the classroom and standing next to Valdemar awkwardly. Her long auburn hair was pulled back into a braid and seemed to move slightly with heat irritation. As soon as she made herself comfortable, she sighed heavily, feeling calmer.

That was until Valdemar shouted in her ear.

She quickly lost control and burst into flames, her hair breaking from its braid and floating slightly at her sides. Her heart was moving too fast for her to handle and she was then ordered to sit back down once she calmed down. As she made her way back to her seat, she felt the eyes on her and felt extremely shy and embarrassed. As soon as she sat back quietly in her seat, Muriel leaned over and whispered to her, smiling softly.

"Asra would've found that amazing. I find it cool too." He then sat back up and continued to make notes.

The class finished a little later.

As soon as they were out, Nadia tried to help Julian calm down by reassuring him that everything was going to be alright, even though she didn't know if it was. He seemed to buy it though. After another class with Vulgora shouting, they went to the main hall to eat their lunch.

As soon as they got there, they spotted the potions teacher, Vulgora, stuffing her face full of tiny sandwiches and cakes, as well as piling her plate with them. She got as many as her grubby little fingers could snatch before sitting and sharing happily with Vulgora at the main staff table.

Kyan and Lucio sat together, Kyan pretending to listen to Lucio as she continued to read her book and hummed to herself, nodding at some of his questions as the rest settled down to eat as well. Everything was calm once more... Until something snapped.

Julian quickly stood up and jolted a finger at Kyan. "Why is she not bothered?! She has not said a word about my sister or about Asra! What makes her so special?!"

Kyan was quick to react with her monotone voice. "Well, first of all, I don't as like a child. It's only a missing person, they wander back or they don't. You have to accept that."

"Wasn't she a friend to you? She talked only praise about you and now you don't even bat an eye when she goes missing! It's not fair!"

Vee quickly stood up and took Julian's arm. "Come on Julian. You're just a little mad at the wrong person-"

"Since when did I say anyone was my friend? I can't remember getting emotionally attached to anyone." Kyan continued, leaving the whole table silent, even Lucio had shut up for once.

"Surely she's just delusional," Atis said, trying to defend Kyan, however, it was immediately shot down.

"I'm not delusional, I mean what I say. Maybe you all are just clinging to false truths." The girl said aggravatedly and defensively before standing up and walking out without another word. Leaving the whole school quiet.

For once, no one had anything to say.

[celestialsoft]

⤻   *       GREETINGS AND HELLO !!!! :   IT IS I   ,   ADMIN EDIE !    HERE ONCE AGAIN HERE TO POST AN INTRO  :~))))  

this time i’m here to introduce you to my tenderhearted wee bab of an angel who clears my skin and grows by crops tBH, FRANK KANGDAE LONGBOTTOM, my lionhearted boi who deserves e v e r y t h i n g ( literally ; empty out your pockets and give EVERYTHING u have to frankleface longbooty—— he . deserves . it . all . !!!!! ) if you’d like to plot, please like this post or hmu in my im’s & without further ado —— here’s frank ! pls love him

⤻   *       APPLICATION   —— !

* ╰    ( KIM YOUNGKYUN )┋have you met ( FRANKLIN KANGDAE LONGBOTTOM ) ? ( he ) reminds me of ( deep loneliness and deep kindness grown in equal parts —— and he speaks, so overcome with love, that i forget we are at war. he grew up hanging lanterns on hilltops to make sure the moon could see at night ; and practiced catching droplets of rain with his lips —— because even the clouds deserved a little romance. ' i infinitesimal being, drunk with the great starry void ' —— tenderhearted boy , luminescent boy : boy frightened , boy destroyed. unravelled by kindness ; compassion consumed —— on the precipice of supernova , he burns brightest in the darkest hour. he looks to me as if he were a man forged entirely of tenderness and the sun ; yet he is the sweet nocturne that plays despite how the beginning of the end has begun ). a ( twenty-one ) year old ( tenth ) year ( gryffindor ), the ( paladin ) is known to be ( + tenderhearted & + clement ), yet ( — oversolicitous & — pensive ). that explains why they’re majoring in ( healing ). rumour has it, ( frank ) is siding with ( the order ) in the solemn war that blazes beyond the castle walls. ( edie, 22, aedt, she/her )

⤻   *       ABOUT FRANK  ——   !!

ahhhhh, frank longbottom —— where do i even start ????? if there’s just one thing that you should absolutely know about frank longbottom, it is that he is a gosh darn heckin’ angel. his heart is ??? so ??? genuinely pure ??? just thinking about it makes me want to tear up tbh

frank is the kind of boy who will charge straight into the carnage and chaos of the whomping willow to save a cat. he’s the kind of boy who hangs out by the edge of the black lake, worried that the giant squid is feeling lonely. he’s the kind of boy who sees the potential for good in everyone & everything, and is genuinely confused and appalled by acts of unkindness and malice when they occur. he chooses the path of benevolence, always, and he wants to keep everyone he loves safe so he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders and feels like it is up to him, & him alone, to SAVE THE WORLD and make it a better place. i repeat for you my fronds : frank longbottom gosh darn heckin’ angel. but my god, is he a broken one.

⤻   *       BACKGROUND   ——   !!

frank was born into a sacred 28 pureblood family who cared very little for blood purity, but a whole lot for social justice & fighting for what is right. thomas and augusta longbottom first met at the ministry of magic, where their ‘ left-wing ’ progressive ideas about wizard / muggle / magical creature relations brought them together. their love brought frank longbottom into the world ; a child who was, from an early age, exposed to concepts of in/equality, systematic oppression, privilege, biased public policy, and injustice through his parents.

under the steady & tireless virtuous guidance of his mother and father, frank longbottom bloomed from infancy into childhood with a strong sense of egalitarianism & selflessness that most children only learned well into adolescence, and he had an awareness of the injustices of the world that many people did not gain even well into adulthood. yet despite his parent’s rather strict & heavy hand in discipline, there was always a remarkable air of benevolence and incorruptibility about frank that refused to be befouled.

nevertheless, frank was a terribly lonely child. he was homeschooled by a thoroughly screened, left-wing half-blood governess, and she was just about his only connection to the outside world. it goes without saying that sacred 28 pureblood socialising events & parties were off-limits and out of the question for frank, and since the longbottoms lived in suburban muggle england, frank was always too scared to socialise with many of the children in his neighbourhood, fearful that he would accidentally expose his magical lineage & incur terrible consequences for his folly. shut away in a house of absolute virtue and morality, frank longbottom was a victim of utter loneliness & never got to experience the world his parents adamantly taught and trained him to save … until his letter from hogwarts arrived, that is.

⤻   *       HOGWARTS   ——   !!

frank was a heckin’ confusing four-way house hat stall during his sorting. the hat sensed the resolute loyalty and benevolence of hufflepuff in him, the love and respect for knowledge and learning of ravenclaw in him & the tenacity and ambition to achieve his goals of slytherin in him, but ultimately, the sorting hat settled on “ GRYFFINDOR ! ”, declaring its choice with a booming roar. above all, the sorting hat sensed frank to be brave —— willing ( & desperate, even ) to fight for what is right. it’s a shame that frank, to this day, doesn’t seem to see this bravery in himself. but by the warm beacon of the gryffindor common room fireplace, under the twinkling candlelights of the great hall, and at the top of the astronomy tower ( the stars and galaxies at the reach of his very own fingertips ), frank, at hogwarts has grown to be exactly the kind of person his parents have always wanted him to be : stalwartly true ; combatting hate with kindness, and enveloping cruelty with warmth. he loves deeply and vastly, and he honestly radiates this other-worldy quality of brightness ??? he’s the light in the dark, and oh how he shines. 

however —— the fact that he’s already grown into someone that his parents are proud of doesn’t stop frank from still wanting to be better, and wanting to save the world. what frank doesn’t realise is that he can hardly save the world if he can’t first save himself. he’s constantly emotionally and physically exhausted ; spending every moment of his time helping those around him and making sure to change to the world one kind act at a time. slowly but surely, frank’s bleeding heart and compulsion for kindness is coming to the point of being harmful to his own health and wellbeing. 

so yeah … … . though frank is falling apart, he never lets this show & he really tries to never make this anyone else’s problem. through the haze of responsibility and moral duty that has always clouded frank’s life, there’s still a profound tenderness and warmth about him ; and among all his advocations and efforts towards justice & peacetime, it’s difficult to discern just how deeply scared, lost, and confused the boy is in a world that refuses to cease changing right before his very eyes ; an inevitable war upon the horizon. 

⤻   *       LITTLE HEADCANONS   ——   !!

frank has always been V MAGICALLY GIFTED. he showed his first signs of magic when he was just one and a half, when he had a terrible nightmare & woke up screaming in the middle of the night. instead of waiting for his parents to come and calm him down though, frank simply closed his eyes & focused on his breathing. when his parents stumbled into the room ; sleep hazy in their eyes, they could hardly believe what they saw : the entire room, covered in flowers and lush foliage —— something that frank had somehow conjured up to keep himself calm ( b/c untamed childhood magic be CRAZY ). frank is now able to command wandless magic, which is a GODSEND tbh b/c he’s such a sleep-deprived mess & he loses his wand c o n s t a n t l y istG

being a sacred 28 pureblood with quite advanced magical abilities, frank has always been in high demand for pureblood partnership through an arranged marriage. his parents, have always hastily shot down offers ( bc they aren’t all up in that pureblooded nonsense ! ), but that hasn’t stopped pureblooded parents from reaching out anyway :/ yIKEs :/// 

frank is part of the slug club ,,,,,,,,,,,,, and like ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, every single other club / extracurricular. baby longbottom is an OVERACHIEVER EXTRAORDINAIRE —— YA BOI DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO CHILL. it’s not that frank is driven by any sort of particular ambition and self-interest, though ?? rather, frank’s heavy involvement in every aspect of school life stems from the aforementioned incredible pressure of his parent’s expectations ; frank applying himself to every possible aspect of school life and extracurriculars in the hopes that he will make them proud

frank has so little chill that he’s actually started sleepwalking … yikes ????? it probably doesn’t help that frank is involved in almost every sport club tbH, & he is also gryffindor quidditch team’s seeker. the thing is that he could never give any sport up. sport is so cathartic for frankie my boi, because it helps him forget his worries & his responsibilities. while he’s playing sport he is just a body —— he is pulsing blood, deep breaths & he is free.

⤻   *       OTHER FUN FACTS / GENERAL SUMMARY DOT POINTS ABOUT FRANKLEFACE LONGBOOTY   ——   !!

THE MOST CLEAN CUT KID OF THE YEAR AWARD GOES TO : frank longbottom, OFC. innuendo is lost on the kid ( he is v v v lost every time someone uses the word ‘ wand ’ as double entendre ), and has only consumed alcohol once in his life —— and even then, it was by accident ( it was in a spiked cherry berry trifle at an end of year christmas party back in first year ). 

LATELY, THOUGH, frank has taken up smoking. he does it in secret ; one cigarette every night in the astronomy tower, or by the black lake. if anyone ever found out about this frank would be MORTIFIED & would legitimately probably DIE of shame, so ………….. *coughs* someone pls walk in on him smoking one day. 

it’s so strange, because frank is incredibly in touch with the real travesties and injustices of the world, but in many ways he’s completely naive and lacking in real life experience. he is such an experientially sheltered kiddo, someone pls take him out and get him RAGING DRUNK bc he needs to chill out tbH

#mumfriend

takes literally 15 minutes out of each of his days to have a few conversations with a few of hogwarts’ cats ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, what a loser ??

gets excited when people ask him for help with their homework ( hELP ME ???? )

excels at all his subjects, but has a particular soft-spot for astronomy, herbology and care of magical creatures :’)

LOVES KNITTING —— stress knits a lot . he’d like to just knit the entire world up into a snug lil blanket and keep it safe and warm 

wants to single handedly save the world

did i mention ????? babe is a gosh dark heckin’ angel

in the mirror of erised, frank would see all his friends and family happy and smiling —— but he wouldn’t even be in the frame. mY HEART BREAKS OVER THIS HEADCANON TBH

frank has a cat named alexis de tocqueville 

i’ve run out of things to dot point & this is probably WAY TOO LONG ALREADY ANYWAY ??? so i’ll stop :o :o :o but please come and interact with my son ?!!!!!!??!? i love yall peace out

[goonlalagoon]

The Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry || Leagues and Legends

A few months back I wrote a Leagues & Legends/Hogwarts AU as a birthday present for a friend who’s also a huge fan of the books, and figured I may as well post it here!

When Laney Jones goes under the sorting hat, her back is perfectly straight and her face is placid, relaxed. Her hands fold neatly in her lap, and none of the students and professors think she’s anything other than calm, maybe even disinterested. 

Internally, she quite seriously threatens the Hat with a fiery death if it spits out her secret. The threat alone would probably merit Gryffindor, but the Hat isn't easily swayed by mere stunts. When the rip along it's hem opens, it sends her to Slytherin.

(Such a thirst to prove yourself. You'll do well there)

She's practically a squib. She makes no attempts to claim otherwise, because if you say you're Merlin reborn everyone watches you, but when they think you're a step away from being a muggle they take the fact that you got some coloured sparks as a victory, even if you're supposed to be turning a matchstick into a needle. Pride is one thing, but Laney knows that sometimes you have to let people think poorly of you so they won't look too close. 

She excels in herbology, potions, and magical theory. She won't excel at History of Magic until her second year, because she is unequipped both for professor Binns and for the way all of the magical history she knew was geographically removed from everything they covered in class.

(Laney Jones isn't a squib; her mother is a squib, so that effectively makes Laney a muggle. Her brother is a wizard, though she hasn't seen him since she was eight. She scours the Prophet every morning, because she still thinks her big brother is the centre of the world)

Rupert Hammersfeld had already read every History of Magic text book on Hogwarts' seven year book list at least once by the time he was ten. He stays awake in Binns' classes making detailed notes anyway, but most of them are his own thoughts and recalled external sources. Rupert likes history; his mother is a curse breaker, and so he knows plenty of non euro-centric history from her, and his uncle made sure to teach him at least some of the history of the parts of India their ancestors hailed from as well. He writes out theoretical alternate lesson plans when he's done transcribing his years-old notes on the British goblin wars.

He's read a lot of textbooks over the years, curled up in the Hogwarts library in the holidays. He watched years worth of students pass through the halls before it was his turn, helping his uncle with the paperwork and quietly finding the homesick kids at weekends with his palms full of hot-chocolate and handkerchiefs tucked into his pockets. 

His uncle fretted, sometimes, that he couldn't give Rupert as much time as he deserved. The world outside thought he did, of course he did, the headmaster of Hogwarts having to raise a child, it was a wonder he had any time for the boy at all. They sniffed and murmured about how irresponsible, how unseemly, it was for that Elizabeth to have not only had a child out of wedlock but to have then left it with her respectable, long-suffering brother to raise while she ran wild. 

He was pure-blooded (that his father had magic at his fingertips was one of the few things Rupert knew, not because his mother gave two figs about blood status but because one of the few stories she shared of him included the elegance of his preserving spells), from a line that could trace itself back to the Founders, and he just wanted everything to be orderly, calm, and safe. He spends ten and a half minutes under the hat, discussing where he should go. The hat is quite adamant, but Rupert knows how people would talk and takes a while to convince.

(Usually, the hat accepts a direct request to go into a certain house - but this is from a self-imposed sense of obligation, and under it there’s a strong sense that the hat’s option would be really nice, actually, so it insists)

The Hufflepuffs and the Slytherins don't have any first year classes together; for historic reasons they tend to be paired with the Ravenclaws, which suits Rupert quite well. He's from a family of Gryffindors, but they can be a bit...much, sometimes. He’s all for chivalry and protecting those who need it, but from a lifetime in the castle he’s familiar with just how often the Gryffindor common room exists in a state of chaos.

He's aware of the black almost-squib in his year anyway, of course. He watched his fellow first years arrive on the boats, matching names to faces as they were called up to the front of the Great Hall, noted houses. And you could never escape the gossip - a castle full of teenagers lived on rumour and hearsay.

Rupert sneaks down to Hogsmede regularly, to meet up with Sez and Bart. He slips past Laney in the halls or out on the grounds, unseen, and he says nothing to anyone - not that there was a student out of bed, or about the mix of muggle tricks and magical practical jokes she was carefully practising with, night after night.

They don't meet properly until third year, when they chose between the optional subjects and classes became more widely mixed between the four houses. Laney takes Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies. She doesn't particularly like the sound of muggle studies, but she knows her own grades - the extra work is worth it, she figures, for that number of perfect grades to outweigh her abysmal practical demonstrations. Besides, she's eyeing the idea of a political career, and she figures it wouldn't hurt to be officially Able To Speak the Muggle Lingo.

Rupert signs up for all of the same subjects except for Muggle Studies as well, so their schedules rather abruptly align almost completely. It's several weeks into third year before Rupert (hesitantly) offers her the recipe to a colour changing powder he'd found in a market stall, one summer visiting his mother. Laney had been hiding dyes up her sleeves and hidden in bracelets for years, turning mice green when she was supposed to make them into a pin cushion. The Dozen Drop Dyes she’s been using are expensive, and require active enchantment to make. A powder is in several ways easier to hide, and it’s something she can make herself with the help of a few magical ingredients.

She drops her Magical Theory books down next to him in the library the next day because he'd been struggling with the underpinnings of Gamp's Exceptions (again. It just didn't make sense! What was different about food? He could conjure wooden furniture, but he couldn't conjure spices that were made from dried bark. It wasn't logical) and Laney was painfully aware of anything even close to a debt.

By the end of the year, she would be trading notes and explanations because it was easier to study together than alone. He would be occasionally transfiguring things in class for her, always partially and always incorrect, and talking her through the non-magical defences he'd learnt over the years of helping Sez and Bart track down dangers in the streets of Hogsmede and the edges of the Forest.

At the start of their fourth year, there are  two arrivals of particular note. One is a red-head who towers over the first years, and the other is short even by the standards of his cohort. Farris, Jack, goes into Gryffindor. Sanders, Grey, has an extended period under the hat and is finally sent to Ravenclaw.

(Jack thinks the hat sounds a bit grudging about it)

It turns out that Jack is actually in their year, a transfer student. When asked where from, he shrugs and says "here and there", which people generally take as either home schooled, or expelled from every other magical school in the world, because it turns out that Jack gets into fights the way most people breathe.

It isn't even duelling; magic is rarely involved. Rupert half-suspects that's intentional. After all, when you're fighting someone over the fact that they've just said something dismissive about the muggleborn, sending them to the hospital wing with a broken nose without drawing your wand at all does rather illustrate the point. Rupert lectures him about fighting and files neat, official complaints and sends home form-written teacher’s notes where it will help.

(Grey slips safely beneath the radar, by and large. He doesn't get letters at breakfast, but occasionally he'll find a book he's never seen with his name on the fly leaf in the Ravenclaw common room. Spider had been at Hogwarts, once upon a time, and he used to slip out to Hogsmede, and after all -  the Ravenclaw tower was guarded only by riddles.

This was all immaterial, given he could also turn into a spider at will, but at heart Spider appreciated the detail of these things)

Laney and Rupert quickly discover that it is very difficult not to like Jack. He seems permanently cheerful, but has a streak of dark humour that never fails to make Laney snicker. His magic is all over the place, which Rupert marks down to his haphazard teaching. Some of the fourth year material  is old hat to him, and some of their first year spells are novelties.

He also has a distressing (to Rupert, at least) tendency to wander at will into the Forbidden Forest. Rupert makes sad sounds whenever he catches Jack wandering in or out of the trees, and ignores the guilty awareness that he's been gradually working on containing an acromantula infestation in there for years. 

Laney tells Jack she isn't even an almost-squib, magically speaking, early in their fifth year. She had thought about it the summer before but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She's too used to secrecy, and she can't just hand this over to someone without knowing for certain that they won't let it slip. He stares at her, delighted, and immediately produces a battered jacket imbued with a shield charm. She pours over it, and he promises to write to the friend who made it for him to see if she can be persuaded to share her secrets. 

Laney and Rupert are too busy with their own studies to help Jack catch up on the patches in his own past learnings completely, so he’s had a mismatch of tutors since the professors first realised he was missing several foundations. Somehow he ends up being taught second year Charms by the runty first year he shared a boat over with. Grey trades off time running Jack through old class notes borrowed from Laney and Rupert to explain things he hasn't necessarily studied yet himself for time going over the material the fifth years are currently studying. 

(Grey is vaguely considering taking his OWLs early, except then he'd take the NEWTs early too, and he'd be stuck out in the world with stunning grades but no legal guardians, too young to do things like rent a flat or get a job even with his forged papers placing him as a few years older than he actually is)

Jack gets letters sporadically, usually accompanied by pictures covered in sticky fingerprints. They rarely seem to be delivered by the same bird twice, until he goes home to Mexico for one winter break, Grey in tow. They have a great time, even if Grey complains about the heat, but he also notices that none of the family know anything about what their youngest has been up to for the past six years. 

He corners Jack about it once they're back at Hogwarts, in a roundabout way, and it spills out - the one magical son in an entirely muggle home, except for a mother who had some magical relatives and extended family friends in several different countries. They'd fabricated an excuse for why he was leaving home, and Jack hadn't gone back since. His mother had been insistent that it would be good for him, better than staying at the local underground schools or going to the closer boarding school in America, even if she hadn't been able to verbalise why. She just knew.

His mother had been quite keen to hear what he'd been up to since he ran away from school, but Grey knows he wasn't supposed to have heard that conversation and won’t be getting any answers if he asks.

Laney listens closely, peers sidelong at Grey, and smirks at them both. 

"Well, I had to forge enough paperwork to get onto the Hogwarts register and fool my mother." While Grey splutters at the new information, Rupert tilts his head and asks ‘why Hogwarts’. She's never spoken about this before, and he hadn't wanted to pry. Laney shrugs. 

"Uagadou acceptance can't be faked, and I was actually born in England - mom and dad were over for a year living with my uncle, diplomatic stuff - so it was just feasible that I would have gone onto their register not Uagadou's." She smiles, sharp. "And anyway, everyone at Uagadou uses gestures not a wand, so magic would be a lot harder to fake."

They derail into a conversation about different schools of magic. If Rupert or Laney find it odd that Grey goes quiet when they mention Mahoutokoro, the school of magic closest to his home town (though they don't know this, precisely, just that he has a certain face structure and accent, and a tendency to slip into Japanese when he’s grumbling over books without realising), neither mention it. 

Jack waxes unexpectedly, passionately lyrical about how colour coding robes is harsh and minimising and biased anyway, because it rewards grades not effort, and some of the more flashy, non-grade related ingrained colour shifts follow no reasonable pattern, with no care for context.

Did you know that if you kill an aggressive giant with a third year spell you'd use to play pranks on your friends every week (and a lot of luck), your robes turn shimmering gold for 'services to the community'? But if you kill a rampaging dragon as it tries to eat you after razing an entire village with a curse you've only heard of and never dreamt of using, they'll go white as snow.

The year Laney, Rupert and Jack reach their sixth year of school, Grey is finally old enough to go to Hogsmede with them - well. According to his paperwork, anyway. They had offered to take him before through the hidden passage Rupert preferred for getting to the village to meet Sez, but he'd waved an ink specked hand to decline because he was too recognisable, too obviously not old enough to be on a Hogsmede trip, and that meant he wouldn't be allowed into the bookstore, so what even was the point?

Jack cheerfully trails Grey into the bookstore, holding a growing pile of books and trying (and failing) to see any kind of rhyme and reason behind the collection. Laney peels off to the joke shop to buy a few new toys. She comes out with a mental list of other purchases for Rupert, Jack, or Sez to pick up for her later to make sure nobody draws too many connections to her.

Rupert wanders around the local houses with his pack full of gifts he's carefully brought down from the castle - a pepper up potion brewed with better ingredients than a family could afford, a handful of pages carefully transcribed from an old rare book that only existed in three collections in the world for someone's research, several bags of cookies baked in a corner of the kitchens (the house elves had gotten used to this when Rupert was a child and didn't panic too much nowadays) to hand out to anyone he knows is having a bit of a rough patch, or will just appreciate a friendly visit.

They meet up at Sally-Anne's place as always, because it's good, cheap food and Rupert wouldn't dream of going anywhere else unless required by circumstance to be a Noble Example of a Pureblood Son.

(Sally had inherited the Hog's Head not more than a couple of years ago, but she's been practically running it since she was fifteen so everyone thinks of it as Sally-Anne's)

When Rupert arrive there are already textbooks scattered over his favourite booth. He, Jack and Laney all have a Care of Magical Creatures group project to work on. Grey is theoretically working on his own History of Magic essay, but is actually pouring wide eyed over their notes. Jack is waving his hands as he talks at length about dragon communications to an increasingly fascinated Grey and a frustrated Laney, because none of this is in any of the five books she's read, Farris, where are your sources - Rupert nudges her as he sits down, because while the mystery of Jack's sporadic yet strangely specific knowledge base is something they both agree they need to get to the bottom of, they've also agreed they should probably make sure they do it somewhere they can't be overheard, given how much he slides away from it.

Halfway through doodling a dragon (it's supposed to be a Liondragon, but Jack knows it's a poor copy of the carved sketches he's spent years watching George leave on tables, support beams and pieces of firewood) Jack feels a chill on the back of his neck, and shrugs it off as residual paranoia. 

The window explodes a moment later, and he pushes himself thoughtfully up from the scattered glass.

"Huh, so I guess that was an anti-apparition ward being set." He tries to explain this to the aggressive fellow Gryffindor who's loudly threatening to go fetch the aurors, and winds up tearing up his robes to act as a tourniquet because he isn't carrying any dittany and it's not like he's going to be given his wand back to actually repair the splinching wound anyway so he needs to do something.

Laney catches his eye as the two searching men start tearing up the floor in search of the rumoured tunnel to Hogwarts. She's fiddling with the bracelet on her left wrist, a dark wooden bangle with - if Jack remembers correctly - some constellation etched onto it. Rupert goes very still beside him, eyes apparently fixed on Sally shouting furiously at the Wizards tearing up her pub.

The hidden compartment on Laney's bangle flips open, and the room is abruptly plunged into night as it fills with dark mist. Jack lunges forwards towards the wizard holding their wands, and rolls cheerfully to his feet amid the sound of them clattering to the floor. From somewhere off to his left he can hear the loud oof of someone who has just been punched in the guts and probably hasn't been in a fight other than a magical duel since he was ten and doesn't remember how to roll with the punches.

In the dark, Jack grins.

[calleo-bricriu]

Do you ever play any Muggle games that involve magic? Not real magic obviously but like the kind of stuff they write about in fiction.

I do!

Not as often as I used to, but there’s a little group of them that I still occasionally play with.

I’ve done a few different characters for different side games, but in the main one, I’ve had the same one for years now as the person running them is pretty good about not killing off characters for effect.

Not that it matters much, as there is a Cleric in the group as well as NPC spots to stop and hand over gold in exchange for resurrection–if you’ve dragged the body along with you. The Cleric doesn’t charge though, so we usually just make her do it.

There are a few different spell casting classes, all of which are tied to talent points that you assign and earn along the way. Some require high wisdom or high charisma and some just require high intelligence.

What I have started out as a Wizard class, which is one of the high intelligence classes, and I thought it’d be a bit fun to not only throw all the available points into intelligence but also take away from wisdom and charisma just to boost it.

What that resulted in was a person who was incredibly skilled with a whole hell of a lot of general offensive magic–at the expense of common sense and people skills.

Early on, half of the interactions with the NPCs were other party members just trying to keep him from talking to people or doing something incredibly dim and making life difficult. He was good in combat, however, and that’s a good chunk of the game, so they were happy to keep him around and just distract him to keep him from making life difficult when interacting with people outside the party.

The thing with Wizard is that it’s a base class; after a certain level, you can either stay that way or you can split off at any time into specific schools of magic.Specifically, any of the following: Artifacter, Bladesinger, Lore Mastery, Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Enchantment, Evocation, Illusion, Invention, Necromancy, Transmutation, Technomancy, Theurgy, or War Magic.

Go ahead and guess which one I went with. I’ll give you a hint, it starts with an N.

And the thing about Necromancy is that, to use a few of the more prominent skills, such as Command Undead, the undead creature in question just has to win out over how charismatic the Necromancer is.

He wasn’t. At all. So, more often than not, he’d go to do a Command Undead and essentially get a rude gesture in return. Didn’t stop him from trying, but it almost never worked and eventually he was convinced by the others to just stop trying and raise bones or corpses or something that someone else hadn’t already raised once because those were bound to obey.

At certain high levels, you can take a few talents that result in one arm becoming skeletal and having what amounts to an instant death spell on them. That means, if you get close enough and physically touch someone, they will more than likely just drop over dead.

There are also spells that have an area instant death effect but those have to be specifically cast.

So, again, he was incredibly useful in combat, especially if they just wanted it over with quickly or needed to literally answer a, “You and what army?” type of situation. Nobody ever said the army was required to be comprised of the living, after all.

However, that low Wisdom stat meant that he often forgot that touching people with that hand, which was his dominant hand, would more than likely kill them.

They were run out of several towns after he’d shake hands with, say, someone in charge, a guard, a shopkeeper, any random person, and they’d instantly die.

At first, the Cleric would take over, calm things down, resurrect whoever had died free of charge (which isn’t a horrible thing for that particular class, it’s essentially a favour they get from whatever deity they worship, so the resurrected person isn’t considered undead and is fully alive), and they would at least all be able to leave without being chased out by an angry mob.

After awhile, however, the person leading the game decided that rumours had spread about my absolute idiot of a Necromancer and people started denying the entire group access to their towns specifically because of him.

And the Cleric’s deity started denying resurrection requests because the deity was sick of dealing with my idiot Necromancer.

The first time that happened, he stepped in with, “No big deal, I can resurrect things too!” and raised someone–which created what was, more or less, a very ‘alive’ and aware corpse that nobody would really want to be around on account of them being a walking corpse.

When you raise them quickly enough, which you’re not supposed to do, you’re supposed to wait a specified amount of time so you don’t bind the spirit back to the corpse and get an undead thing that knows it’s undead, knows that’s not right at all, and you’ve essentially made an abomination by binding a living soul to a dead body and forcing it to exist that way.

The Cleric just about lost her mind screaming at him about that and all he responded with was, “I don’t see the issue; he was dead, now he’s not, problem solved.”

There was a back and forth of what amounted to, “Oh, it’s exactly the same! Resurrection is resurrection!” vs. “IT’S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE SAME THING , YOU HORRID LITTLE GREMLIN!” and the Cleric ended up obliterating the new abomination with a blast of divine energy while still arguing with him about it.

There are certain things that are not advisable to say to a Cleric, especially in an argument.

Among those:

“Yes, well, at least I don’t have to beg to a god and ask permission to raise the dead!” That–was strike two.

Anything that amounts to, “What are you going to do? Smite me?” because that’ll spiral off into an argument about how it’s not that she can’t smite me, it’s that she doesn’t want to, oh great excuse to explain why “your god” didn’t answer at least I don’t have to draw power from a deity because I can do it myself, keep talking and I will blast you into oblivion with holy fire and no I do not care that we’ve known each other for decades I will end you right here, you and what army because I can raise an army literally any time, you wouldn’t dare (he would and did, but it wasn’t terribly impressive as the only dead things or bones around were of various woodland creatures–the, uh, Druid was not happy about that), WATCH ME!, I swear to my and every other god I will dispatch you to whatever hell awaits your sort with righteous fire, just try it you wouldn’t dare!

At that point, the rest of the party just…walked away. Didn’t want any part of this argument and she actually did try it and caused a good deal of damage on the first hit because she caught him unaware.

Holy fire does a good deal of rather painful damage to things that deal with the Not Holy side of things and while a smarter person might have just stopped there and apologised, his reaction was more along the lines of, “You absolute bitch! You deserve everything I’m about to do to you for that!”

…and an actual fight broke out.

The best part is, in these games, at least with the group I play with, you speak as your character, so the other three in the group got to sit there and watch me and the person playing the Cleric argue about this in character for a good half hour, and through the actual fight that broke out in the game itself.

Trouble there is both of them were pretty evenly matched in terms of magical skill and, after that 20 minutes, when it was clear there was either not going to be a winner or someone was going to require a paid resurrection at the end, the other three came back and just–kind of pulled them apart and gave them a, “We have BETTER THINGS TO DO you two! Grow up!” lecture.

So, that was about the sixth town he’d managed to get them barred from and this time the Cleric wouldn’t let it go. Everyone else was just, “…this is not worth the fight, let it go, we’ll go somewhere else,” and the Cleric was absolutely done with my Necromancer but they weren’t allowed to fight anymore so it never went beyond verbal back and forth after that.

At one point she threatened to rip that arm off of him and beat him to death with it and he was just, “HA! Whatever, I’m basically immune to the entire school of magic by this point so it’s not going to bother me one bit.” You–become more or less immune to Necromancy, by the rules, if you stay in that school long enough.

Out of frustration, her solution ended up being tying an oversized, bright purple oven mitt over that hand so when the inevitable happened and he did try to touch someone, it wouldn’t kill them.

He ended up agreeing to it because, fine, whatever, if it’ll stop you screeching at me.

It worked out pretty well, he stopped accidentally killing people when meeting them, no more being run out of or barred from towns, yay!

Except now, he’d forget to take it off in combat and had several instance of walking up to someone all dramatic to deliver the deathblow and get interrupted by the NPC with, “Sorry, I know this is serious and all, but…are you wearing an oven mitt?”

“Oh! Right! Sorry about that!” Mitten comes off, touch-and-kill the NPC, mitten goes back on. He was always very, very good about remembering to put it back on because if he didn’t, the Cleric started yelling at him again until he did.

That got so bad that everyone in the party would repeatedly remind him, prior to engaging in combat, to take the fucking mitten off for the love of everything holy on account of the game leader deciding that, while the mitten was on, his abilities in general were greatly reduced as they were being blocked by the protective holy spells the Cleric had put on it.

So, with the mitten on, he was, more or less, completely useless in combat.

After a few months of that, new rumours spread about this idiot and his big mitten, and NPCs started conversations with, “I’m not talking to you until he puts his mitten back on.”

The Cleric somehow became the unofficial “keep our Necromancer from ruining everything, please” keeper and more than once he’s told her, “If I wanted someone to hover over me like an overprotective mother, I’d dig her up and raise her!”That never went over well and usually got a, “DO. NOT.”

Before games would start, if it was that group of characters, there would be bets around the table as to how he’d manage to completely drive things off the rails.

After a few years in that game, they started being a bit more strategic and dragging fights to areas where they knew he’d have a lot of things to resurrect and throw at whatever was attacking them; there were a lot of fights in or near graveyards.

The others I have are completely normal, all things considered.

[slytherinspired]

Fourteen Years Later - A (kind of) Sirius Black Imagine - Chapter One

Hello! I know I haven’t been posting in a while, let’s say I’m working a lot.

This is something I started to write back in June. I continue to write it when I have seconds to myself. 

Pairing : Stella, which is Sirius Black’s unknown daughter, seeking for the truth about her roots and identity. 

If you haven’t, you can read “tell me about the one who loved him” here, before. 

I know this won’t be very popular but I thought I had to share, mostly because I’ve been so not active lately and this is a very personal work. 

Love.

Masterlist

Fourteen Years Later - Chapter One

I guess you could say that being born a witch is great. It has a lot of good sides, I admit. I mean, I was born into a wizard and witches family, it was not really a surprise the first time I felt magic in me. But it has a lot of dark sides too. First, witches and wizards like their secrets. Initially, there is this world of magic that only wizards and witches know about and it has to be kept this way. This is an inviolable decree. To keep at peace both worlds, the magic one and the normal one, we have to be discreet about our magic. It would scare so much normal people to know about what we can do with our powers… But we also like to keep secrets from each other. I’d say my whole life, I’ve been lied to. This is probably the thing I hate the most about being a witch. Lies.

My name is Stella Gatti, but I’d rather you only call me by my first name. I am fourteen years old, though people think I look a little bit older. Some people think I’m odd. See, I have these very long and black hair, I take it from my mum. She has the darkest hair I’ve ever saw and for some time she kept it long too, almost down to her waist, which made her look quite young. I have to say, she had me pretty young too. She was twenty-two when she gave birth to me. When we moved in London, she decided to cut her hair shorter, to her breast, to make her look a little bit more mature. It didn’t work out that well, she still has that young face. My mum is really beautiful, but there’s something in her eyes, you’d say, that makes her look quite unhappy. For some time, I always thought it was just the way she was, that she tended for melancholy in an unhelpful way. Later I figured why, but that’s a story I’ll tell in the future.

I always was inspired by my mother for the length of my hair : I like to wear it long, but not too much though. Try to go to the restroom and always have to tie your hair in a bun so you can do your business without being scared to wet it. It can be messy, it happened to me once. The colour of it is a little bit less dark than hers, it goes more of a darkish brown than a true jet-black. And they wave a little bit. Nonna, my grandmother, used to call me a mermaid when I was younger. She’d like to brush it and tell me great stories about the mere people. She’d say they lived in all sort of waters. They were dangerous and pretty clever, but I was probably never going to meet one anyway. I grew up with my mother, her sister and my grandparents. I was born in a small village in Ancona, Italia. That’s where my mother was born before my grandfather moved the family to America. They come from a long lineage of an old family of wizards and witches. They’re aristocrats and very proud of where they come from. I never really felt proud like them, maybe because I’ve missed half of where I came from since I was born. See, I never knew my dad, it was taboo and secret to talk about him. The first time I asked about him, I was probably five. My mother was talking with her dad and suddenly it came to me : who was my father? Where was he? My mum looked at me on the verge of tears as Nonno, my granddad, answered to me that my father was dead. I sort of believed him, but deep inside, I knew he was lying.

I only looked at my mother and asked : ‘Did you love him?’ She smiled weakly and replied : ‘ Very much. I really loved him, Stella, with all my heart.’

That’s all I needed to know at that time. There was something in the air, something heavy that made everybody pretty uncomfortable. I never asked again. I knew that if I wanted the truth someday, I’d have to be silent about it. Somehow, I knew that the more questions I’d ask, the more lies I’d get, so I never asked again. When I was about nine, my mother got an offer she couldn’t refuse at the Ministry of Magic in London. I remember, she didn’t look like she was glad. She looked very worried. One night, she was discussing it with her family. I heard Nonno telling her that nobody would care about her past, that it had been long enough. That she couldn’t miss such an opportunity. Nonno is very strict about work, he had worked all of his life in different ministry of magic. He’s a very important fellow, he is what you would call a liaison agent, and his job is to keep every magic ministry in the world in contact and in harmony. He’s sort of a diplomat, but you know, in the magic world. ‘Remember when we moved to America, Eliana? How you and your sister weren’t happy about it? Then you made friends over there! And when we had to move in London and you were so angry about it! But some good came out of it, look at Stella… she is doing great!’ he said. That night, I knew that the secrets of my past were probably hiding in this city, or near it, anyway. I had a lot of friends in Italy, but I never really missed any of them. I was seeking the truth and I was glad to move out where I knew my mum became pregnant with me. We finally moved to the United Kingdom. Maybe a year after, mum met her future husband at her work, William. He is really nice, I like him. He never asked that I call him dad, somehow he knows that he’s never going to be a father to me. But he takes care of us and he loves my mum a lot. He’s just a bit… monotonous, I guess. My mother was always the crazy one, we’d mess so much all the time. But William is serious and straight. He’s quite kind, that’s not the point. He just made us less funny. Now we’re just a typical family, predictable and boring.

Short before I became eleven, I received my Hogwarts acceptance letter. My mother told me all about this school, how it changed her life, how it made her a better witch than she was already. Not long before the term started, there were a lot of rumours. People were whispering about a certain dark wizard that was maybe on the edge of coming back. Most of the persons thought it was just rubbish and I was glad to believe it so. My mum came to me one night and sat on my bed. She thought long before opening her mouth : ‘You know, Stella, you are going to Hogwarts soon. Did I ever tell you about a certain young boy, he’s only a few years older than you?’ ‘Are you talking about Harry Potter, mum?’ I answered. I knew about that story because it was all you could hear nowadays. How he looked exactly like his late father and how he really had that scar on his forehead. The boy who lived, they’d call him. I was glad I’d go at the same school as him. I guess I thought he was this great child wizard, somehow extraordinaire and attending the same school as he was made me special too.

Not long before September 1st (that’s when the term starts), there was a big breaking, the one kind that made people panic and fear everything. Sirius Black, known for having killed a dozen of Muggles, another wizard and to have worked for the dark Lord that should not be named, had escaped the most guarded wizards and witches prison, Azkaban.  They would all have some theories on how he did it : it was impossible, that prison was guarded by the most gloomy and dangerous creatures. When we learnt the news, I had a fight with my mum. She didn’t want me to go to school anymore and I thought it was bullocks. Why would she think that man was a danger to me? I had nothing to do with him!

Or did I?

Who was he anyway? I asked. 

She told me he was no one. I guess I won the argument, but not because I was the wiser, only because she didn’t want to tell me the whole truth. We’d walk past the flyers where the prisoner’s face would hang in motion, very quickly. She didn’t want me to be scared of him, I thought. What she doesn’t know is that I’ve never really been afraid of anything. I went to Hogwarts anyway and I was sorted in my mum’s house, Slytherin. I finally saw the famous Harry Potter. I was sort of disappointed on how normal he looked. He was just a boy among other boys. He had this scar that proved something very frightening and hurtful had happened to him. Beside that, when I’d cross him in the corridors, nothing unusual came out of our encounters. There was something in his gaze though, that made me think of my mum, like he was always thinking of something else in the back of his mind, like something bothered him or made him hurt. Anyway, he was older than I was and I never got the occasion to talk to him. Beside, what would I have said to him? 

But something else triggered me a lot. There was this teacher at school, I learnt later that he was new. He looked really tired all the time, almost sick. He had big dark circles under his eyes, he’d miss some of the classes sometimes. He looked way older than he was in fact. The first time his eyes laid on me, he stared like I was some strange creature, or like I was someone he hadn’t seen in a long, long time. It gave me the shivers once, because I really thought there was something wrong with me. Did someone put a spell on me, did someone hex me? Each time I’d ask a question or I was demonstrating a spell we’ve learned, he would look straight me in the eyes all the time and I could notice melancholy or regret in his gaze. Would you laugh if I even thought once that maybe he was my father? How sad is to see every man you encounter like a possibility of being your dad, it gets tiring at the end. Someway, I knew he wasn’t, I just didn’t see him in me. I didn’t feel it. I believed he knew my mum, though, which would mean he probably knew my dad as well. But professor Lupin scared me a little, I never wanted to ask him questions about my past. He was very kind, that’s not it, he was just sort of too calm, too soothing, for the way he looked. He had scars in his face, some old ones, most people wouldn’t question it, and we knew there had been a war just before some of us were born. His clothes were ragged and ripped apart, he looked like he came from another world, another era.

I made some good friends in my first year, we really got along. Nobody really cared that I didn’t know my dad, some other kids didn’t knew theirs too, or they had lost them at war. There was one particular night, I wandered in the castle. I didn’t know what I was hoping for, I just tried to look for answers, really. I knew somewhere would be some hallow of my mother’s time spent in the castle and maybe along with that would be some sign of my father. But I got caught by Filch, the caretaker, and I was found into professor Snape’s office in the middle of the night. Let’s say, even as my head of house, he wasn’t glad to be woken up by a student. I always thought that he was distant with me. He didn’t like any kids, don’t get me wrong, he looked like he despised everybody, but me? Oh he really didn’t like me at all. He took some points off of Slytherin, but not too many, obviously, and he sent me in detention for a two whole week. He’d avoid my gaze every time he had to talk to me.

There was something about the way the professors would look at me, or would act towards me, especially in my first year. At first I thought it was because I was young and new. But I understood quickly that it was because I reminded them of someone. The way professor McGonagall would roll her eyes when I’d speak too loud in class (and secretly laugh afterwards), or the way they’d try to talk to me like they tried to speak the same way they’d speak to everybody else but it was noticeable, it looked like they were reprimanding or discussing with someone else, someone they knew a long time ago. I felt like a ghost each time an adult would walk past me. It was strange.

A certain night, they said Sirius Black was in the castle, at the end of the year. He had been caught. While they were waiting for the Dementors, he managed to escape, again. My mum went to take me as soon as she heard. She was crying uncontrollably all the way back home. She’d just tell me she was afraid, but she didn’t look very frightened. She just looked upset and sad. I knew that Sirius Black had something to do with me, otherwise she wouldn’t have reacted this way. My mother is a strong witch, she is very powerful. Furthermore, she is pretty clever and most of all, she is damn rational. Seeing her crying like that was a vision I wasn’t used to. My mum, when William’s not around, is always the one having a good laugh, always making grins and smirks. She’s a proud woman and she won’t ever show her weaknesses. But if you had seen her that day, you wouldn’t believe what I just told you. She was a complete mess. When we were finally home, she closed her bedroom door and stayed there all day. William finally came home from work and when he went to see her, all I could hear was whispers. I knew they were talking about Sirius Black.

Back in my room, I opened one of an old Daily Prophet copy I had kept in my journal and I stared at the picture of the prisoner. It hit me right in the chest. There was something in his eyes that made me feel like I was looking at my own reflection. See, my eyes are pretty distinctive. My mother’s eyes are green, probably the prettiest eye colour you’ve ever seen. It’s like she was born with shining emeralds instead of irises. I have pretty eyes too, but I do not take those after my mum. My eyes are silver, well, you’d say they’re grey, but they’re so distinctive and shiny, it really makes me stand out. And as I was looking at the man in the picture, I noted that he had the same stare as I did. Mysterious, yet very readable eyes, like we always know something you don’t. The man in the picture, he had a secret. I read about him, for the first time, I read the article underneath his image. He was convicted on Halloween night in 1981. I was born in early July 1982. Even if you’re not good at maths, you can do the counting. The thought of him being my father grew inside me. Everything fitted perfectly. They didn’t say a lot about him beside what he was convicted for and how a dangerous man he was. I wasn’t really afraid of having him as a father, I never knew him, plus, I wasn’t very sure if I was on the good lead. If he had really done those terrible things wouldn’t make me less good than anyone else.

I was afraid to go and ask my mother about him because I was afraid she would lie again. So a certain night, I waited for my mum and William to go to work so I’d try to look for stuff into my mum’s belongings. She was good at hiding things, I mean, she knew the spells better than I did back then. I thought, if she wanted to hide things from me, they would be hidden in a place she thought I’d never look for. I went into every of her things, from the clothes in her closet to some drawers, I even looked in every book in her possession (and there is a lot of it, especially Muggles books). I finally came across a little box and it wasn’t even hidden.  There was a piece of paper hidden in a box with souvenirs of when I was a baby, near her bed. Among my first shoes and the first piece of hair being cut off my head, beside a little package with some family jewellery and next to some old concerts tickets was this piece of paper, apparently blank and yellowed with time. I thought it was odd, why would my mum keep an old blank piece of parchment if it meant nothing? I couldn’t practice magic outside Hogwarts but we were allowed to cast some spells to train ourselves during the summer. So I took my wand out and thrown a spell to reveal it’s secret. I’d say it wasn’t really a shock to read what was written in that letter, but it was.

The letter was signed by Remus J. Lupin (whom, at the end of the year, we learned was a werewolf, but it didn’t really surprised me after all and didn’t bother me either). Then, I’d be lying again if there weren’t something inside me that made me believe, again, that he was my father. I couldn’t really believe it. I finally read the letter in its entirety. He said he was sorry that he had to tell my mum what happened this way. He wrote that he couldn’t believe that he did it, that he thought he knew his best friend, but in those dark days, you couldn’t trust anyone, not even the love of your life. He wrote that she didn’t have to move so far away, that she had nothing to do with what happened. He asked if she would come back, that she really belonged there, that he would go if it made her more comfortable. 

That is the day I learnt that Sirius Black was really my dad. 

I knew he was talking about him even if he wouldn’t mention his name. I think my mum never replied to the letter. I believe she moved away and never thought of looking back behind. She didn’t say goodbye to anyone. Maybe this is why he looked so shocked when he saw me for the first time. See, I’m my mother’s copycat and from what I noticed from the pictures, I have my father’s eyes and general expression. Professor Lupin probably never learnt that my mum was back in London. Maybe he didn’t even know she had a daughter. And from what I read in the letter, he was Sirius Black’s best friend, so he must have been pretty stunned when he saw a walking mix of them both in front of him. I spent all summer being really mad at my mother, I mean, you would be too if you learnt that your mother hid your father’s identity just because he had done some very bad things. Later I understood that she did all that to protect me, so people wouldn’t judge me because of who my parents are. So I could live a normal life without being worried of being mocked or rejected. But that summer, I almost didn’t talk to her. She worked a lot anyway so I guess she didn’t really notice it. Or maybe she just assumed that I was getting older and being a teenager. I heard Nonno once reminding her of how much she didn’t listen to him when she was my age. How rebel she was back then.

Finally, I went back to Hogwarts for my second year. There was the Triwizard tournament that year and Harry Potter had been chosen by the Goblet of fire (which we couldn’t figure out how since you had to be at least seventeen to enter the competition). There was so much action going on, I couldn’t continue my researches concerning Sirius Black. And a lot of bad things happened that year. We had a death at the end of the championship. I didn’t know him at all, Cedric Diggory was older than I was and he belonged into Hufflepuff house. But he was very loved by a lot of students and professors. And Harry Potter claimed that the Dark Lord was back, that he was the one responsible for his death. Some people believed him, most of the people didn’t. In the Daily Prophet, they would call him a liar. My mum would read the titles with a worried expression. She obviously thought something was going on. I spent the whole summer learning with William and her some spells against the dark arts. All of our attention was focused on that. I won’t lie, my focus wasn’t on Sirius Black anymore. Not that I didn’t care, but I felt helpless. There was something in the air more worrying than my seeking for the truth. At some point, I even thought about giving up.

[fantasticworldoffanfics]

CREDENCE/GRAVES

                                              ——— (part 2) ——–

Fandom: Fantastic Beast and Where They Come From

Even longer list of fanfics :)….

top favourites, part 1

Believe In What You Can’t

Author: Crimson_Voltaire

Summary: "How good and thoughtful he is; the world seems full of good men, even if there are monsters in it." - Bram Stoker, Dracula 

Credence walks into a book store on a rainy day, and the world changes. 

Mob!AU Series

Author: themunchking (themuchking)

Part 1: Two-Headed Boy (Put On Sunday Shoes)

Summary: Everyone who knows Percival Graves knows about his boy, too.

Part 2: Sinner’s Delight

Summary: Credence is like silk, and he loves to be wrapped in it.Or—Credence greets Percival after a long day.

Perfect Fit

Author: classicasshole

Summary: Bonded Alphas Percival Graves and Theseus Scamander are looking for an Omega to add to their bond. Credence Barebone recently presented as an Omega and had to be removed from his mother's 'care'. He is exactly what the two Alphas are looking for.

sidenote: Credence/Graves/Theseus ship

What’s New PussyCat

Author: canis_m

Summary: Credence learns the Animagus transformation. It's all downhill from there.

My Greatest Weakness Is You

Author: CinnabunAngel

Summary: Credence loves Percival so he would do anything for the man...Including wearing lingerie, while still at MACUSA. Percival Graves is the most respectable man, can keep his composure, that is until Credence is in the room. Then his eyes go straight to his chewed up lip, how are they so distracting?? Or more so, I needed this and I ended writing this instead of sleeping...

The Boy In The Thunderbird Mask

Author: Binary_Sunset

Summary: It's been two years since Credence has set foot in New York City, and in that time, it seems his whole life has radically changed. He's travelled all around the world in the suitcase of a British wizard. He's seen creatures he never could have imagined existed. And now, after getting a job with MACUSA, he's heading back to the first place he ever called home.But with a new outlook and a strange fascination with a man he thought he knew, everything comes to a head at MACUSA's annual masquerade ball.

We Met, We Kissed, We Married

Author: TheSilverQueen

Summary: “Angels above and demons below,” exclaims the god. “You are one of Hecate’s children.”“Who?” says the boy.  The god rubs wearily at his brow. “Credence Barebone,” says the god, startling the boy, who had given his name, “what do you know of magic?”’

Percival is the god of pumpkin patches. Credence Barebone is just the boy who wanders into one of them.

What Is All This Sweet Work Worth (If Thou Kiss Not Me)

Author: Rrrowr

Summary: Credence had never felt more so than he did at Graves' feet, with a large hand settled over the crown of his skull. There were people all around them and Credence was wearing dreadfully little -- barely more than his underwear and a gauzy shawl -- but he felt safe.

"Darling," Graves drawled, tugging a little at Credence's ear. He was smiling as Credence looked up, eyes half lidded and drowsy with love. "Get me a drink from the bar. If you spill so much as a drop, you'll get a spanking."

Honeypot

Author: inb4invert

Summary: It wasn't about Grindelwald. It wasn't even really about Graves and his wounded alpha cop pride, either. What Piquery and Detective Graves had both known, the unspoken thing that swirled around like a curl of black ink suspended in the depths of their mutual stare-down, was that this was about the omega. The one Graves knew would be haunting his dreams tonight, languishing and panting all unseen in the sweat-dampened sheets of his empty bed.

Sweet Like Honey

Author: kovisk

Summary: He still had it somewhat, but a new identity was to be ushered, because he'd been careless, because he'd slipped up for a doe of a boy with dark hair and poppy lips soaked in opium, drug enough for them both.

Prosperity

Author: projectoverlord

Summary: ‘There’s a really handsome guy over there,’ he signs, and as she starts to turn he makes a frantic, ‘Queenie! Don’t look at him!’

AU Credence was born deaf, and his past has left him insecure about the likelihood of anyone ever really loving him.

Consort

Author: TheZ1337

Summary: Percival Graves decided to buy a sex slave, to help around the house of course. What he gets is an emotionally jaded and highly anxiety-ridden Credence Barebone whose not good at anything, except being in bed.

Early In the Morning

Author: gold_pebble

Summary: Graves couldn’t really remember when he had first started living for the Sundays, but there he was, in bed with the prettiest boy in the world, ready to spend the morning in lazy sex.

Devil’s Kiss

Author: shionch

Summary: (No magic / Modern AU.) Credence Barebone, an impressionable young man from a poor family, all-but-accidentally (it might or might not be Newt Scamander's fault) meets Percival Graves, a handsome & well-off older man. It leads to a strange relationship, with neither Credence nor Mr. Graves being certain how it might end.

Sins Of The Father

Author: Anonymous

Summary: Graves takes care of his son through every heat he has, and has him almost wrapped around his fingers.

Ripped At The Edges, But Still A Masterpiece

Author: writingramblr

Summary: Percy is a Fourth Year Wampus, who comes across a new First year wandering the halls.  He doesn't mean to rescue the kid, but it ends up happening anyway.  Percy Graves, retriever of strays. Stray would-be Obscurials, that is.

What Can I Do?

Author: NaughtyLokiStories

Summary: Graves comes home and finds Credence distressed and in his obscurus form. He does his best to please his boy and make him feel better.

Harmony

Author: projectoverlord

Summary: The guard escorting him, who wears the name tag Scamander yet introduces himself as Theseus, shows Graves to the tiny cell that he will call home for the next twelve months. It’s empty, but when he goes to place his things on the top bunk, the guard chuckles. “I wouldn’t recommend it. Credence likes the top bunk.”

It Was Easy (Natural As Breathing)

Author: projectoverlord

Summary: Credence has spent his entire life in a shadow of orders barked down his spine, every movement under strict control. And now everything is different, and new, and he is drowning in his own freedom. Percival is there to guide him through.

The Stripper!AU Series

Author: intravenusann

Part 1: I Like The Way Your Body Moving (I Like The Way You Spread Confusion)

Summary: While attending a faith conference with his family, Credence Barebone finds an opportunity to leave behind his small, ordinary life and indulge the fantasies he's always carried inside his head — if only for a few hours.

Part 2: I Like The Way Your Heart Is Blooming (On And On, You’ll Never Be Mine)

Summary: After a wild time at the strip club with Mr. Graves, the best night of Credence's life quickly turns into the worst when he tries to return to his family. If he doesn't go home to New York, where will he go? Will he ever see Mr. Graves again?

Part 3: Would You Ever Take A Chance With Me? (Would You Ever?)

Summary: Just as Credence feels settled into something like a routine with his found family in Atlanta, his sisters arrive in the city. Also what exactly is his relationship with bartender/strip club owner/general hottie Mr. Graves?

Pretty Little Thing

Author: gold_pebble

Summary: Out of all the omega boys in the world, Percival had been so lucky to find one that didn't need to get into heat to beg for his cock.

See You On The Other Side

Author: bluebeholder, Truetomorrow, writingramblr

Summary: After recovering from Grindelwald, both Percival Graves and Credence Barebone have been putting their lives back together, with Credence working in MACUSA under the watchful eye of the Goldsteins, while Percival tries to pretend he doesn't feel obsolete.They're friendly, but neither of them wants to make the next move.Help comes in the form of a magical toaster.

Breaking & Entering

Author: writingramblr

Summary: Graves is a Gentleman Thief with a dash of vigilante, on the way to his next target, he stumbles upon a veritable princess in a tower. Or, Credence lives in Grindelwald's attic and likes to sleep naked.

Enraptured

Author: Anonymous

Summary: Graves' pet is very distracting.

Spoiled

Author: Kaleido_dance

Summary: Percival Graves, following the wishes of his dark master and old friend Grindelwald, seduces the obscurial to get him to join their side in the fight for the greater good. But he loses himself in Credence's charming innocence while trying to teach him about love and sex, and ends up adopting him as his son, giving him everything he can think of and spoiling him to his core.

Penitence, Absolution, Salvation

Author: KissMeCthulhu

Summary: (Modern AU.) Mary Lou Barebone is convinced that the new principal of the local high school, Percival Graves, is a wizard, and ceases homeschooling Credence to send him to investigate further. However, in order to get close to Graves, Credence has to keep getting in trouble so he is sent to the principal’s office. Unfortunately for Credence, Mr. Graves takes discipline very seriously – especially when it’s a pretty boy causing all the trouble.

Silent Souls

Author: Yeoyou

Summary: Percival Graves didn't allow himself the delusion of thinking himself a good man. But neither did he believe that he was particularly bad. So the rumour that he had no soul should have been without foundation. And yet the suspiciously spotless skin of his wrist seemed to say otherwise. For what other explanation could there be for the absence of any markings, any words stitching his soul together with another's, than that he had no soul at all? No soul. No soulmate. The logic was irrefutable.

Safe From The World

Author: Truetomorrow

Summary: Credence and Percival were roommates in college; now Percival is an up-and-coming lawyer, and Credence is in his last year of undergrad on a trip to visit Percival. They are best friends. Sometimes they undress each other. It's platonic. Totally platonic. (Until suddenly it doesn't have to be)

Call Me When You’re Sober

Author: hiikigane

Summary: Having a roommate sucks when you're a socially awkward gamer/programmer starting your first year in college. It sucks even more when you're a studious, uptight senior who applied for a single room in the first place. But Credence and Percival learn to get along and with a little outside help, learn that being roommates can be pretty fun.

Detachment

Author: projectoverlord

Summary: The first sign of trouble for them is always Queenie making that face. The one that she is wearing right now; her mouth open just a little, eyes wide but vacant, like she is a thousand miles away. By now they know that look. It has them all on their feet immediately, gearing up and getting the jet primed to go.

AU Percival is part of the Superhero team known as the Aurors. Obscurus is the thorn in his side that gets innocent people killed and refuses to join his team.

Sweeter Than Honey

Author: ozean

Summary: Basically where Percival Graves gets off on getting a certain Credence Barebone off and then paying him for the "experience."

Tucked Away We Are Found

Author: nerdygaycas

Summary: Credence Barebone survived that fateful month of November after the metro attack, but MACUSA deemed him a hazard to himself and the rest of the world, and so he was sent to Kästner, the place where ill-fated witches and wizards, untreatably sick or mentally disturbed, suffered in shame, completely forgotten. Exactly one month and eleven days had passed since Graves was officially reinstated in his charge, but despite his best efforts to forget the whole ordeal, like a cut that would not stop bleeding in his mind: Credence, the Second Salemer boy. Haunted by the weight of his conscience and a strangling sense of duty, Graves decides to travel all the way up to Kästner, and pay Credence a long-overdue visit.

We Fight Ourselves

Author: writingramblr

Summary: Germany's Ambassadors come to MACUSA to discuss ever evolving laws and borders that may change, but instead of keeping things professional, Director Graves manages to end up on the other side of a seduction game that just may turn his worldview upside down.

The Name Game

Author: secondsodomites

Summary: Credence first sees Graves at a bar. Two days later Graves waltzes into Kowalski's Bakery & Deli and shenanigans ensue.

Anomaly

Author: projectoverlord

Summary: Everything goes quiet. In the boat, underneath the blanket, is a man.

AU Percival is a pirate captain who finds Credence unconscious in the middle of the ocean in a little boat.

There’s Nothing Wrong With Me (Loving You)

Author: intravenusann

Summary: When Credence — who has been living with the Goldsteins for six months now — learns that Mr. Graves feels ill, he does whatever he can to make sure the man is… comfortable.

more fics: part 3

[vircgc]

isn’t that JAABILI FAWCETT? yeah that is HER, sitting there at the RAVENCLAW table with those other SEVENTH years and i think i heard sybill saying they look like  NAOMI SCOTT… whoever that is! when she looks into her crystal ball she sees a family picture in a broken frame, worn leather with frayed denim, a half empty box of cigarettes, a homemade family dinner, warm hugs against a wall, a tear between two worlds and dancing like nobody’s watching.  anyway i’ve heard they’re pretty LAZY, HELPFUL, and HOT-HEADED. apparently they’re a HALF-BLOOD but i’m sure that’s not related.

WANTED CONNECTIONS || PINTEREST

BASIC

Name: Jaabili “Bili” Fawcett

Age: 17

Birthday: 20th of November, 1958

Blood: Half-Blood

House: Ravenclaw

Year: 7th

Sexuality: Bisexual

Allegiance: ‘For the Light’

Distinctive Features: Naturally tanned skin; Short, wavy, dark brown hair; Dark brown eyes; 5′6″

Face Claim: Naomi Scott

EXTRACURRICULARS

Muggle ‘Studies’ Club

Duelling Club ( captain )

OWLS

Transfiguration (E)

Charms (O)

Potions (E)

History of Magic (A)

DADA (O)

Herbology (E)

Muggle Studies (O)

Care of Magical Creatures (E)

Ghoul Studies (E)

CURRENT CLASSES ( NEWTS )

Transfiguration

Charms

Potions

DADA

Herbology

Care of Magical Creatures

Ghoul Studies

Apparation

PERSONALITY

There are many reasons people may believe that the sorting hat made a mistake with Bili. Perhaps the most prominent one being her seemingly incredibly lazy nature, at least when it comes to school work. Or perhaps the fact that she’d sooner solve her problems with violence than words. Maybe even her rumoured ( and self-perpetuated, if also exaggerrated ) promiscuity. But her reputation, if founded on concrete evidence, hides her deeper personality. Known to those she cares for as being extremely caring and protective - perhaps overly so -, she’ll go to extreme lengths to do the right thing, even if it means getting herself into serious trouble. She’s also actually very intelligent, able to pass classes with little to no effort, and easily ace the ones she enjoys and/or applies herself to. However, intelligence is nothing without drive, and while she has plenty for some of her extracurriculars, she has none for her actual classes.

BIO

Born of a whirlwind romance between a young wizard just out of Hogwarts, and a poor muggle struggling to get by, Bili has always found herself pulled in two directions. The two only months into their relationship when her mother fell pregnant, and they got married soon after the news hit, believing this to be the best direction for the family. But before Bili was even born cracks began to appear in the relationship, and they finally split while she was a baby.

Not leaving on the best of terms, her parents avoided contact as much as possible, but remained civil when they could. And it wasn’t long before Bili’s father found a new partner - this time a witch - who he eventually married and had a son with.

Her father’s new family meant that Bili spent most of her time in the muggle world, living with her mother and maternal grandparents in a small, rented house. They didn’t live extremely comfortably, but they got by, and there was a lot of love in the household. But there was a stark difference when she went to stay with her far wealthier father, in the world of magic and influence. There was no less love, as she got along amazingly well with her brother and step-mother, but it was just, different.

Either way, the split caused her to mature extremely quickly, although for vastly different reasons. With her mother, she had to help around the house, help take care of her grandparents, and get a job to help provide. With her father, she had to help take care of her brother, help make the family look good, and pretend that not being able to see them as often didn’t hurt as much as it did.

Because of this constant pressure and clear tear in her life, Bili began acting out. Not at home; as far as either of her parents were aware, she was a model child. [ Drug and Alcohol Misuse Mention TW ] But outside of those walls she would go out, party, drink, sometimes even do drugs. [ End TW ] Most notably of all, however, she got into a lot of fights.

[ Period-Relevant Racism Mention TW ] With ‘Paki Bashing’ being at its peak, her family, friends, and even Bili herself experienced a lot of prejudice. [ End TW ] While not all of her scuffles were fully justified, there were more than a few that were simply self-defense, or at least, in her own words, ‘well deserved’. But there were a few times where she was caught and charged, incidents that she couldn’t hide from her parents forever.

When the assault charges came to light, her parents came down on her, hard. Her father was shocked, as she’d mentioned wanting to become an auror since she was a child, something that was impossible with a criminal record. Her mother, however, was merely disappointed. Being from a completely different world, her dad couldn’t relate to Bili in the same way her mother could, couldn’t quite understand her actions as well, so was far less forgiving. But the silent head shaking was somehow worse than the yelling.

Knowing that her dreams were shattered, Bili quickly gave up on school. If she couldn’t become an auror, then she would become a hit-witch, a similar job that required far less grades and far less effort. Hell, she’d even be able to leave without completing her final year. But her dad, still furious, insisted that she had to finish school - if not for herself, then to make a good impression for her brother. So, she stayed, which soon became much to her professors’ chagrin.

EXTRA

She took an OWL in Muggle Studies because she knew that she could easily pass it, and she’s only a part of the club to have an excuse to do things she would already do at home, and subsequently not do work.

By this year she may as well have dropped most of her classes, considering how many she actually goes to.

One of her assault charges includes assault against a police officer.

She sympathises heavily with ‘For the Light’’s cause because, while she’s not a muggle born, she understands what it’s like to be discriminated against in that way, even if it’s not quite at the same level.

She’s a giant flirt, and will flirt with basically anyone. Even if it’s only jokingly.

Bilingual ( english and gujarati )

She loves to cook, and is actually quite good at it, having helped in the kitchen at her mothers for years.

[feynavaley]

Pottertalia AU – Kirkland Family

(Always related to the Hetalia/Harry Potter next gen crossover I’m never going to write, but I found a folder with all these info files so yeah, you’re going to see a bit of this I’m afraid)

The Kirkland family is one of the oldest pureblood families of Great Britain, ailing from Scotland. They’re rumoured to be descendants of old Celt druids, and rumours have it that the family still jealously keeps some old and forbidden rituals (the rumours are true). Merlin is said to descend from a cadet branch of the Kirkland family. They all have the Sight (often associated with bright lime green eyes, but not necessarily), which means that they can see everything – no magical creature is able to hide from their eyes, no matter what charm they use or how powerful their magic is. The same goes for invisibility cloaks (with the exception of Harry’s cloak, of course) and disillusionment charms.

In spite of having traditionally belonged to Slytherin (there were also many Kirklands who were parselmouths) they never took part in any of the wars, preferring to stay isolated. It’s almost like a clan – who gets married into the family takes their surname, gender notwithstanding, and even if he or she doesn’t have to completely cut ties with his/her old family his/her loyalty must lie with the Kirklands.

Arthur’s mother is Aila Kirkland (who’s kind of supposed to represent Britannia). From her first marriage (with a pureblood) she has her first three children, Duncan (Scotland), Liam (Northern Ireland), and Dylan (Wales) (all the three of them are much older than Arthur, and they have already finished Hogwarts by the time he starts). Years after her first husband’s death, she marries Arthur’s father, George Jones (an American muggle-born who believes that Muggle technology shouldn’t be discarded and that Wizarding world could benefit from a bit of exposure to the Muggle one. Aila has kind of a rebellious streak). They divorce quite quickly (Aila’s rebellious streak isn’t as strong as she had thought, she’s still too conservative to be truly compatible with George), but Arthur still has contacts with his father, who’s adamant in exposing him to muggle education (Arthur doesn’t really like scientific subjects, but he finds a great fascination in literature). He also gets to spend a lot of time with one of his younger half-brothers, Alfred. He doesn’t meet Matthew until his magic is found out, instead. He’s both fascinated and horrified by Alfred’s antics with magic, but it’s also a nice change from the stuffiness of pureblood families he’s used to.

To honour George’s memory, Aila takes in Alfred and Matthew when their natural parents die (the summer before they start Hogwarts). She almost always ignores them, however, as they’re a constant reminder of the fact George chose another woman after her (they parted on mostly friendly terms, but it still stings) so Alfred and Matthew mainly attach themselves to Arthur (the older Kirklands are already living on their own). Aila’s distaste for Alfred and Matthew is another reason Matthew goes to school one year earlier than he’s supposed to – the official reason is that he needed to learn to control his magic as soon as possible, but Aila also puts pressure on that because she doesn’t want to be home alone with him for an entire year, she knows she would neglect him (neglecting Matthew is way too easy unless somebody puts a conscious effort into not doing it).

General | Jones-Williams Family

[autistic-mouse]

Another pointless AU

It got stuck in my head and aquariumstuck inspired this.

Basically it’s G.I. Joe renegades working in an aquarium/rehabilitation centre with mermaids and stuff as well.

Edit: Changed Horns to feelers/whiskers cause it was better all round.

Here we go.

-Tunnel Rat is a mermaid with medical knowledge just trying to help his kind as mermaid are an endangered species due to being hunted for their flesh thanks to the old fisherman’s tale about immortality.

-Mermaids have feelers/whiskers on their heads that act like magic localisers as modern mermaids have lost most of their magical abilities, they also have very vibrant colouring in order to attract mates.

-Tunnel Rat’s colouring is a deep dark green with dark brown fins/frills which helps him hide in seaweed, his whiskers are like sea grass and he generally looks very dull, but if the light hits his scales just right, they shine a dazzling emerald green.

-There is a lot of fighting among mermaids as their dwindling numbers have caused anger and paranoia, leading to Tunnel Rat being forced to work as a medic in the battles.

-On his last battle, his squad was killed by the enemies and he was swimming for his life when a harpoon goes through his tail and starts dragging him to the surface, he screams at the enemy mermaids to escape because hunters.

-Some want to try and save him but they were forced to retreat.

-The hunters sedate him as they prepare to head back in, when a ship skippered by Shipwreck catches them and arrests everyone on board for illegal fishing.

-Shipwreck finds Tunnel Rat unconscious but alive and orders for him to be brought on to his own ship and to call the rehab centre that he helps with for their arrival.

-Head veterinarian, Duke, goes straight to work on keeping the mermaid alive because he is very injured and losing a lot of blood and almost lost him a few times.

-After the surgery, Duke is monitoring Tunnel Rat as he wakes up, Duke expects confusion and lack of communication skills as with previous mermaids, instead Tunnel Rat looks straight at him and says “What the fuck is going on?” in a very thick Brooklyn accent which causes Duke to burst out laughing.

-The next day Tunnel Rat wakes up to a half ninja/half octopus watching him from the ceiling, there was a lot of screaming and swearing.

-Duke introduces Snake Eyes as head of security and the reason for all the water transport tubes throughout the facility.

-Roadblock is head mechanic and electrician of the place and makes all the food for Snake Eyes and Tunnel Rat as he is more than happy to cater for their dietary needs (Tunnel Rat loves his cheese burgers)

-Ripcord does shows with some of the animals in the aquarium and educates visitors and guides the school groups, he’s pretty chill but gets a bit too into his bad puns and dad jokes.

-Scarlet manages the whole thing and gets things to run very efficiently, she is very protective of the more unusual sea creatures as in the past people broke in and killed some mermaids, she likes to sit by Snake Eyes' enclosure and talks to him as he calms her nerves.

-General Abernathy is the director and talks to the residents in the rehabilitation centre quite often, and is the reason Snake Eyes is the head of security.

-After a long time, Tunnel Rat wants to stay, he doesn’t have to fight for food, they respect his medical knowledge and ask his opinion on how to treat certain fish/mammals, and he starts developing a crush on Duke.

-The General agrees to him staying and joining the medical team and even has most of the transport tubes around the facility replaced to accommodate Tunnel Rat’s larger body.

-At some point a rumour about there being a mermaid in the aquarium and kids start writing letters to him which they give to Ripcord, he gives them to Tunnel Rat who replies to each and everyone with Ripcord being the messenger, the aquarium uses it as a little attraction and the kids believe that a mermaid is replying to them while the parents believe that an employee is replying, they’re all right.

-Duke starts crushing on Tunnel Rat and really just loves to watch him swim and stim about in the water, when Duke has to go on vacation, he kisses Tunnel Rat with a “we can talk about that when I get back, just couldn't resist any longer.” which has Tunnel Rat blushing and swirling in the water for three days.

There may be some other stuff but this is the bulk of what I’m thinking, and of course it has Dukerat.

[ignitingwriting]

Igniting Writing Fantasy Roleplay Contest 2020, Submission by Greeshma Radhakrishnaiah

Living in a world of magic, you are a talented young magician. In this fantasy world magicians act as adventurers, peacekeepers, advisors and more to the citizens. As you travel from place to place you solve problems, seek out new magical knowledge and keep the people safe from harm.

One day you are walking towards the nearest town to top up on supplies when you spot an out of control magic carpet careering through the air. It’s elaborately designed but seems to be badly damaged – it has noticeable holes and its edges appear to be covered in ice crystals. With a shock of recognition, you realise that you’ve heard of this carpet before – it belongs to Alexus Ignitingus, a famous sorcerer known for being the guardian of the biggest magical library in the world. As you look closer you see that in one of the carpet’s tassels there is a scroll – is it some sort of message from Alexus? What do you do?

Option one – you chase after the carpet to see where it’s going.

Option two – you try and grab onto the carpet and climb aboard to regain control.

Option three – you try and use your magic to blast the carpet out of the sky.

 Chapter One – Option Two

You try to grab onto the carpet. Running at full speed, you time your leap to perfection and are able to scramble aboard. But with all the damage the carpet has taken, your added weight is too much for it and before you can steer it into a safe landing it crashes into a tree. Aside from a few bruises you are unhurt from the crash, but you realise that the tree was home to a nest of phoenixes and the magical birds have let loose a burst of flame in their surprise at being disturbed. The flames are rapidly spreading from one tree to another and if you don’t act fast the whole countryside – not to mention the carpet’s scroll – could be burned to a crisp. You must quickly find a way to put out the wildfire and rescue the scroll. This chapter will end when you pick up the carpet’s scroll.

It was one rainy morning and I was still in my nest with fluffy pillow-shaped eggs and a big heavy blanket decorated with them. I could not sleep last night because I was too busy lying awake, looking at the bright stars outside. Soon after the sun rose, making them turn black.

When I was just about to sleep, my mother yelled at me and asked me to get up saying it’s ‘not normal for a person to sleep during the daytime’. It was almost 6:00am and my melodious mother asked me to get some bread for breakfast. Since I wasn’t in the mood for going back to sleep, I quickly got dressed and headed off to the busy market.

It was very crowded everywhere I turned. There was a person asking townspeople to buy their products and have free taste tests by stuffing mountains of food in customers’ mouths.

Finally, I reached the breakfast tent – or that’s what I call it. ZOOM! As quick as a flash, an old tattered looking carpet came crashing in through the market, crashing three tents and landing next to the mechanical store next door to where I was standing. I ran into the tent to see what was happening.

When I saw the carpet, I felt pity for it because it was so old already and now it was damaged even more. Back up, he was dusting the floor trying to find something. On its dusters were ice crystals as tiny as dust, glittering as they shone in the sunlight. Then I saw the crest of something familiar and I realized that this magical carpet belonged to Alexus Ignitingus, a famous sorcerer known for being the guardian of the biggest magical library in the entire realm.

Then the ancient carpet grabbed a scroll and quickly flew out of the market. Being the curious person that I was, I chased after the carpet and jumped on it. Unfortunately, the carpet was old and couldn’t bear my weight, so it started to lose control fast. Then I crashed into a tree, which happened to be the home of two phoenixes which got startled and burst into flames, creating a spread of wildfire throughout the entire forest of trees – including the countryside and the carpet’s scroll.

That was a very big disaster. I quickly saw a pond a few meters from here. I quickly rushed down to the lake and then I started to throw handfuls of water at the trees, but it didn’t work. I then found giant leaves around that take in so much water that it could be used as a spray that lasts for 20 minutes. I waited for the leaf to drink up all the water it could hold and sprayed the surrounding area so that they would not burn. Soon I started to spray it on the burning trees and then it faded away.

I finally climbed up the tree to reach the carpet and took the scroll from its hand, opening it up and starting to read it. I was in everlasting shock.

Well done, you’ve managed to claim the scroll. As you pick it up, you unfurl it and read the following words:

‘To whomever reads this message,

Greetings, fellow sorcerer – I apologise for the unorthodox means of transporting this message, but I am in dire peril. I have been imprisoned within my library by Zarix, a cruel and greedy elven warlock intent on gathering all the world’s magic for himself. Zarix has somehow gained control over a mighty frost dragon and with its freezing breath it has encased my quarters in a block of unmelting ice, leaving me trapped – all I can do is hastily scrawl this message and command my trusty magic carpet to bring it to a worthy magician.

I know that my own magic is not powerful enough to break frost dragon ice, as it magically refreezes whenever I try to dispel it. My library’s charms prevent entry to anyone that means harm, but Zarix is resourceful and I am sure that he will soon find a way to undo my spells and steal the library’s magical secrets for his own. This knowledge must not be allowed to fall into his hands – please, come at once to put an end to my captivity and Zarix’s schemes!

Yours humbly,

Alexus Ignitingus’

With his message Alexus has enclosed a map and you immediately head towards his library. Soon you come to the first major obstacle on your quest – a wide, deep valley of water known as Howling Lake, so called because of the sound the fierce winds make as they whip along the water’s surface. It’s surrounded on both sides by high sand dunes, making it the only way through, but it’s rumoured to be home to all sorts of dangerous creatures. At the side of the lake there is a rickety old raft, which seems to be the only way across the water – the only other possibilities are to swim or to skirt around the shore through the sand dunes. What do you do?

Option one – you swim.

Option two – you take the raft.

Option three – you walk along the shore through the sand dunes.

 Chapter Two – Option Two

You decide to take the raft. As you approach the raft, you realise that there is a goblin on board – the goblin’s face lights up as she sees you and she introduces herself as Riggins, promising to sail you across to the other side of the lake. She is extremely shifty and far from trustworthy, but with your options so limited you agree to set sail and Riggins pushes the raft out onto the water. For a while things are calm, but then you notice that the water beneath the raft is starting to bubble and hiss. Suddenly, up from the depths a fearsome kraken bursts out of the water, its huge tentacles waving threateningly. Riggins laughs maniacally, telling you that the kraken is her beloved pet and that she has brought you out onto the lake to be the creature’s next meal – you must defend yourself and the raft against the kraken’s attack, either by defeating it in combat, outrunning it or finding it some other meal to satisfy its appetite. This chapter will end when you get past the kraken.

At first, I thought he must be joking because Zarix has vanished for more than 20 centuries and I am just a normal everyday magician (that still goes to school), not a magical sorcerer. I do have some magical items, but I don’t use them to fight evil villains. Then I realised that it must have been true because I saw the carpet sprinkle shards of ice onto the tent’s floor when they were at the market and sure enough, I went to the market place quickly and saw the shards of ice sitting in the same place.

I took a sample and put it in my carry bag. I went home and quietly went to my room and got my Gloves of Entanglement. Soon I went out the living room door and saw my mother and she looked furious. 

She exclaimed, “Where have you been? I couldn’t find you in the market square anywhere and did you know that we only had half an egg and some toast to share for breakfast and for lunch?”

Then I said, “Sorry mom, I will make it up to you,” then I dashed for the door. I kept on running until I couldn't see our house anymore. Then I read the scroll again and saw a map and started to follow it to Howling Lake. 

It was a big lake to get across but somewhere nearby I saw an old raft it seemed the quickest way across the lake. On that raft there was a goblin just as she saw me her eyes lit up like a thousand fireflies. 

She introduced herself. “Hello, my name is Riggins and would you like to cross the lake?” She seemed eager for me to cross the lake; she seemed far from trustworthy.

I replied, “Yes, I would.”

Then Riggins exclaimed “Yay, that’s so great!”

I hopped down gently into the old, broken raft and soon started sailing across Howling Lake. It was called Howling Lake because it described the fierce sound of the winds whipped against the water’s surface.

As soon as we were halfway there a massive kraken emerged out of the water, pushing me back 10 feet. There rose the kraken, as big as 121 story building. Then the goblin told me that the kraken was her pet and that I was her next meal.

I swam through the water as golden giant kelp kept tickling my feet. The water was rough on the outside but the deeper you go the calmer it is. I finally reached the kraken’s foot I shot out of my gloves thin silvery line of rope and tangled the kraken’s legs together. Soon I reached the water’s surface and I started to find something to hit it.

I saw a chopped tree and started to use my other free glove hand and started chucking pieces at the kraken. Well, that made it mad, so it moved and as it moved its legs were too strong to hold, so I let it loose. I made a quick dive down and right behind me was the kraken. I knew I had to trap it somehow, I swam as fast as I could and I saw a cave a cave big enough to hold a kraken. I swam into it and sure enough the kraken followed me in soon I got out and the kraken couldn’t squeeze itself out. I was so relieved I got back up and made it across the river. 

Congratulations, you have reached the other side of the lake. But as you consult Alexus’ map, you realise there is one more obstacle between yourself and his library – the enchanted forest known as the Neverwoods. The Neverwoods are renowned for being a place of great natural beauty and home to all kinds of magical creatures, but also for being full of long, winding paths, which twist and turn dizzyingly to disorientate all but the most experienced explorers. As you enter, doing your best to keep your bearings through all the wondrous sights, sounds and smells, you encounter a threeway fork in the path up ahead. The left path is the brightest, with dappled sunlight shining through the leafy canopy, and seems to be leading towards a clearing of some kind. The centre path seems to be the darkest, leading deep into the very heart of the forest, but is also the most direct route. And the right path is the one which seems to be most travelled, as you spot multiple imprints on the ground. What do you do?

Option one – you choose the left path.

Option two – you choose the centre path.

Option three – you choose the right path.

 Chapter Three – Option Two

You decide to walk down the centre pathway. The trail is dark and narrow, with thorny vines snagging at your clothes and dense undergrowth threatening to trip you with every step, but eventually you come to a small building. The building appears to be an ancient temple or shrine of some sort, covered in an incredible variety of flowers, shrubs, moss and other plant life. Suddenly, a figure emerges from within the building – a person with the body of a human, but the head of a majestic stag, antlers and all. The figure angrily tells you that he is the Forest Spirit, a protector of all nature, and that you have stepped uninvited onto sacred ground. You must persuade the Forest Spirit that you mean no harm for him to let you pass, either through negotiation, an offering to the temple or even combat if the Forest Spirit attacks you. This chapter will end when the Forest Guardian gives you permission to proceed.

As I closed in on Alexus’ library, I had to go through one more place. I had to cross the Neverwoods.

I walked through the woods, the light from the canopy shining down on the golden-red leaves. It all was going fine until I came across a three-path lane. I decided to go through to the centre, even though it looked like ghostly stooped figures. I had to go because we were running out of time and according to the map this path leads me to the library directly than all the others.

I walked through the dense jungle. Tiny little thorns were pricking me on my legs. Soon there was a clearing and in the clearing was a small, ancient temple covered with vines and a blossomed variety of flowers in all different colors.

Then out of the temple emerged a muscular centaur, with flowers on his antlers. He spoke roughly. “I am a forest spirit guardian of all nature and I have come to tell you that you have stepped uninvited into a sacred area.”

I tell the centaur that I mean no harm that I was just passing by to reach the library. He said why would be hard to believe. Then I took my scroll out and showed it to him. He was surprised and asked me where he got it from. Then I told him my whole story from the very start up ‘til now.

Then he said, “It must be true and I shall let you pass.”

I told him thank you and asked if he would like to accompany me in my quest to save the library and Alexus Ignitingus. I stayed over at his place and he packed a few important things he needed, like magic, weapons and food.

While we were there, I got out Alexus’ magic carpet out of my bag and asked if he had a needle and thread. Soon he showed me his set of different threads, colors and needles. We sewed it up as fast as we could. Finally, it was done and looked newer than ever. It was laced with golden thread along the sides, spiraled with red and purple thread. It was just like buying a new expensive car and a pet.