#thinking about iroh and dumbledore

[wishchip106]

guhh love this guy

i don’t get why people shit on him so much 💔

or maybe i do but like still

let my man have flaws not everyone is perfect

if he takes over the world he don’t need to mind control me i’d go willingly 😭

[snekdood]

lmao???

this quiz sorts through characters from like dozens of fandoms and finds the one you’re most like. I’m not even a little bit surprised by my result

[j-a-n-e--d-o-e]

So ppl apparently really liked my take on Sevika as the Kingmaker.

Now, the logical thing to do would be to quit whilst I'm ahead, especially as I have work tomorrow and should be sleeping. So obviously, I'm going to shit talk Heimerdinger instead.

I'm seeing alot of people arguing on tiktok over how the little bastard has managed to wiggle his way out of any kind of accountability for his involvement in the state of Zaun and personally I think there isn't 1 reason but multiple(these reasons tend to intertwine and are a bit messy) :

1st is that the fucker is adorable.

Like I despise him but would 100% hug/cuddle him with zero regrets. There is a certain amount of disconnect between how he looks and how we expect someone who has been implicated in such horrors.

It's like pretty privilege but worse because with pretty privileges most ppl just try to excuse what they did, Fluffy privilege has you doubting your own mind and if this adorable little munchkin truly committed unspeakable horrors upon the working class in the name of progress.

2nd, he plays very well into the image of a puppet king.

There were times when I questioned whether Heimerdinger actually had any power towards the beginning of season 1 because it seems like he has no clue what was going on behind the scenes or even on the stage. It felt like he was kept as a member of the council to be a distraction or mask.

Obviously, this isn't the case, but you dont rule for centuries uncontested without creating a mask or persona that appeals to the public. Heimerdinger may have lost his grip on the council, but I suspect that was a result of hextech and years of political manoeuvring from Mel - an outsider who could look at him objectively and see what he was. Heimerdinger was used to ppl bowing to his whims. We see this in how he expects people to just do what he says and is genuinely surprised when they don't.

3rd, how many people outside of piltover know he is or was a council member? And how many citizens of Piltover don't just look at him and see the kindly professor and not the skilled politician?

Like Zaun has no schools and rarely interacts with topside. Do they know the councillors exist? Obviously. Could they pick them out from a crowd or name them? I doubt it. Meanwhile, most of Piltover was probably taught by Heimerdinger at some point. That's their fav teacher, not a powerful scary council member who could throw you in jail without trial.

4th, for all his regrets, "Heimerdinger doesn't act very apologetic or guilty. He just brushes over it but subtly.

He manoeuvres the conversation around his own involvement, either ignoring it completely or diminishing it to seem negligible. He is actively distancing himself from the situation as a perpetrator and repositioning himself as someone already redeemed.

5th reason isn't as general as the others but more Ekko centric. The dude was at an incredible low point and emotional vulnerable when they met. Not to mention injured.

Do I think Heimerdinger arranged the situation or planned it? No. Do i think Heimerdinger took advantage to ingratiate himself with someone from Zaun who's politics were more palatable to him and clearly held some level of influence whilst still being young enough for Heimerdinger to guide? ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY.

Overall, Heimerdinger gives me Iroh and Dumbledore vibes and I feel like that says enough about the kind of man he is

[narrativelysignificantturtleduck]

anytime there's harry potter discourse i think about the many times over the years that the veil was pulled aside, that the illusion of the books being a fun escape was shattered. bc jkr's transphobia isn't the first time this happened, it's only the most recent and the biggest. one of those moments that i remember wasn't really a specific moment - it was just a new thread of analysis about the series. specifically, it was about how dumbledore was actually kind of awful and manipulative, basically orchestrating harry's life so he'd be willing to sacrifice himself to stop voldemort. as kids, dumbledore was this cool wise mentor, but as adults, people looked at the text and saw an adult manipulating a child. though we are meant to see more depth in dumbledore over the course of the series, this realization shattered the illusion of comfort in a way i don't think jkr intended.

it's interesting to compare this to the treatment of iroh, another character from kids media who starts out as a kooky sweet old man and is later revealed to have depth and a great deal of power over the world. but realizing that iroh actually has an agenda, that he's working secretly to make sure zuko plays the role he wants him to play, doesn't feel as much like a shattering. it all comes down to the way the two characters handle abuse.

dumbledore places harry with the dursleys ostensibly in an attempt to give him a normal childhood, away from being treated as a celebrity in the wizarding world. but he's keeping tabs on him enough to know that he's sleeping in a cupboard, and yet he does nothing to remove him from that abusive situation. in fact, mcgonagall warns him in the first chapter of the first book that the dursleys are not good people, and he still leaves him there. the only implication we can take from this is that the dursleys' abuse was the normal childhood that dumbledore wanted harry to have.

meanwhile, iroh's machinations are all about getting zuko free of his abuser. yes, iroh has this grand plan of zuko defeating azula and becoming the new good fire lord who will end the war, but that can only happen once zuko's free of ozai's influence, and so that's most of what iroh does. he keeps offering zuko fun, pleasant things, like tea and good food and music nights, and he sabotages zuko's quest for the avatar by falling asleep in a hot spring and pretending to lose a pai sho tile. he's trying to show zuko that having fun is more important than a quest from his abusive father. he poisons himself in the earth kingdom so that zuko is forced to seek help, forced to interact with people of the earth kingdom and see that that the way the fire nation treats people is wrong. everyone in the earth kingdom will assume that a burn scar like zuko's is a sign of fire nation abuse, even if they're wrong about the details, and that could make zuko realize they're right.

neither iroh nor dumbledore are super upfront with their intentions, but iroh's playing it subtle because people trapped in trying to please an abuser can be resistant to people trying to remove them from that situation, while dumbledore doesn't tell harry because then he might not want to be the sacrifice he needs to be. iroh's secrets are because he cares about zuko and wants to help him as best he can, dumbledore's are about using harry as a tool.

it also reflects a more nuanced understanding of abuse. iroh can't directly remove zuko (or azula, for that matter) from their abusive situation because they are caught up in loyalty to their father and ozai wouldn't want to give up his control over them. dumbledore can't remove harry from the dursleys because...he doesn't want to? harry was pretty willing to leave and they seemed like they'd be pretty happy to be rid of him. plus, ozai has power over everyone - including iroh - as fire lord, while dumbledore is far more powerful than the dursleys. if a muggle authority had tried to intervene with harry, the dursleys might have resisted, but if a wizard wants to fly their nephew away, they can't physically or legally stop him. we're left to wonder if perhaps dumbledore has some old-fashioned "experiencing hardship is good for the soul" mentality, or if maybe that he thought harry would be more likely to sacrifice himself for the wizarding world if it was his escape from abuse.

but of course harry potter wasn't going to address the reality of what keeps people trapped in abusive situations. it was constantly marketed as an escapist fantasy - that you could be whisked away from your abusive family to a magical world where you were loved and powerful. getting out has to be easy, but we also have to keep going back to the abusive situation so that the wizarding world keeps seeming magical.

atla, meanwhile, is its own magical world, and the show is about bringing hope and childlike joy back to a world ravaged by war and colonialism. depicting the reality of abuse, how hard it is to break the cycle but also how essential it is to do so, reinforces the themes of the show.

and so the mastermind adult, orchestrating the defeat of evil and the breaking of the cycle, does it out of love for a child.

[the-badger-mole]

Since Harry Potter got brought up, what houses do you think each atla character would be? I feel like a lot of people put Katara in Ravenclaw bc Blue, but I could see her being a good Hufflepuff (loyalty "I'll never turn my back on someone who needs me" but that could also be bravery) and Zuko obv would be the first Gryffindor out of a family of Slytherins like Sirius

I've never put any thought into it, so this will be a list based on what I remember from a story I haven't revisited in at least 10 years and an internet search... Strap in.

Sokka would be Ravenclaw, because he's lowkey highkey a nerd. He's intelligent and creative.

Katara... do sibling have to be in the same house? Because I could see her in Ravenclaw, but my instinct is to put her in Gryfindor. That whole running headfirst into a fight thing she has feels very Gryfindor.

Toph would probably be a Gryfindor, too, but part of me wants to put her in Hufflepuff...for the obvious reason.

Suki is in Gryfindor, too. I think she would be upset to be put in any other house, tbh. I feel like the gym in the Gryfindor dorms is probably the best on campus, and she and Toph would absolutely have a contest on who can lift the most weight.

If Rowling hadn't made Slytherine a literal breeding ground for bigotry and blood supremacy, I would put Aang there (although, his behavior towards the SWT is suspect). His heavy sense of self-preservation and rigid (if imperfectly understood) traditionalism would fit right in. In fact, I take it back. Aang would work in Slytherine. He would deny it, but he lowkey think his background made him superior to some people.

I'm going to do something that might be a bit controversial and put Zuko in Hufflepuff (PS, am I the only one who pictures Jiggly Puff every time they think of Hufflepuff? I can't be). I didn't remember what Hufflepuffs were known for. The only thing I remembered about that house was from A Very Potter Musical when Cedric said that Hufflepuffs are excellent finders and Dumbledore gave him the sidest side-eye (bombastic side eye. criminal offensive side eye), so I looked it up and some big traits for Hufflepuffs are a strong sense of justice and a propensity for hard work, which is absolutely Zuko. They're also known for being kind, and yeah, Zuko is kind. I think most of his family would've been in Slytherine, but I think enough of his line (including Iroh, probably) would've been in other houses that it wouldn't be a total shock. A disappointment to Ozai, sure, but a shock? Nah.

Bonus! Ty Lee would also be in Hufflepuff. Azula and Mai are obviously in Slytherine.

[lytefoot]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on what happens in ATLA based on just what you know from the fandom, that'd be fun. (Though if you do plan to watch it and have not yet been spoiled for most of it, you should.)

Okay, so I watched the first episode, where Katara and Sokka found Aang in the ice, and Zuko got set up as the Act 1 Antagonist.

So Katara, Sokka, and Aang go on a big world-spanning quest, to get Aang to learn all of the elements. They recruit a bunch of misfits, and also at some point Sokka gets a girlfriend who turns into the moon? He also has either a friend or a girlfriend who's a member of an elite band of female warriors--I'm not sure she's the same one that turns into the moon or a different one.

Meanwhile, apparently Zuko and Iroh settle down in the Earth kingdom and open a tea shop? Apparently Iroh is extremely cool, cannot be fazed by basically anything, and would either punch Dumbledore in the face or try to out-cryptic him. At some point the gaang meet up with Zuko and through some series of events they recruit him and they become friends.

I don't know where Toph is in all of this, except that she's blind, she's an earth bender (and apparently comes up with some sort of metal bending?), and she definitely says fuck.

Also there's some stuff about water bending turning out to be pretty powerful, actually, because people are mostly made of water, so Katara ends up coming up with some sort of blood-bending.

Does everyone in this show hack their element? Is that the point? I feel like part of the point is that Aang as the avatar is as much a catalyst for the people around him becoming their best selves (as symbolized by becoming super awesome at their element) as he is, like, super-powered dude himself.

Eventually, I don't know, they get to the Fire Nation and fight Zuko's dad? And also Zuko's sister Azula, who is the Official Good Kid. I don't know exactly what happens with her, but I understand that she Deserves Better.

The other thing I know about the general plot is that there is both war and massive denial in... what's the town's name... Bah Sing Se? I think that might be where Zuko and Iroh's tea shop is.

Is the tea shop actually important? Or is that, like, a one-off bit that exists in half an episode? I have a strong impression that the tea shop is important.

[attackfish]

5 HC for Zuko falls into HPverse please? It's really angsty and delicious.

Continued from: [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link], and [Link pending].

1. It's a hard thing to express just how how little Zuko has changed from the sullen boy plucked from his exile. 12 Grimmauld Place and Hogwarts have not been places for him to grow so much as they have been places for him to fester, with loneliness, with despair. There is no chance for him here, to go home, to earn his father's respect, his love, to have his family back. And there is no way for him to learn that there was no way for him to ever earn it, that his father's regard was always far to greedy to be called love. He exists here, with his wounds, trying to make the best of it, and failing, as he always does.

2. He misses his uncle. Isn't that the strangest thing? After all this time, after all the resentment he piled onto him during his exile, he misses him, with an intensity that puts everything else, even his wish to win his father's love, to shame. But perhaps it's not so strange after all. Somewhere deep inside, he bad always been afraid his uncle would leave him. He had always been trying to drive him away, to leave him first. But neither of them left. They've been taken away. And Zuko wants him back so bad his bones and his teeth hurt with it.

3. He doesn't have any friends here, but then again, he's used to that. He didn't have any friends back home either. At first, Azula stole them then he stopped trying. And on the ship, there was nobody who he would even want to be friends with. Or who would want to be friends with here. But here, he's surrounded by kids. But the only person who os kind of his friend is Harry. But he doesn't trust that. Harry has his own life, other friends, other people he cares about. And nobody who has anyone else to care about would pick Zuko. Not really. Even his uncle only really started paying attention to him after they were banished together. And Sirius and Remus would never pick him. He's an obligation, dumped in their laps. But he doesn't care. He doesn't.

4. Sometimes he wonders what Uncle Iroh would think of the people he's met here, his uncle who led armies and conquered half the northern Earth Kingdom, his uncle who lost his son, and who pointed out cruelty when he saw it, and never saw it as acceptable or justified. He wonders what he would think of the stories Sirius has hold him, or how Snape runs his class, or how Dumbledore never seems to care about the students and what they do to each other. It's strange how much clearer his uncle's voice seems to him, how much more he finds himself listening, when his uncle isn't there.

5. And, in the middle of the ocean, an old man stands on the deck of a ship. This ship was meant to carry a prince on his long, lonely exile, to hunt the Avatar. But now, it has changed course under the old man's direction, to hunt the prince, who vanished out of his bed, to find him and bring him home, home to his ship, home to his uncle, home to the only home anyone ever has, the one they make for themselves.

[zuko-always-lies]

Two things that grate when I’m trying to enjoy a well regarded piece of fantasy fiction is when authors strongly self- insert/project on a character or use a character as an irreproachable moral mouthpiece to sell said author’s world view. JK Rowling/Harry Potter did it with Dumbledore, GRRM did it with Tyrion , and ATLA continues to do it with both Zuko & Iroh. I know no fiction is bias free, but why work overtime to manipulate your audience into feeling a certain type of way, & why air your personal insecurities/dirty laundry as an author in a piece of fiction meant for mass public consumption instead of working through those weaknesses with paid professionals? I find it quite cringe tbh, but then again billionaire JK Rowling having nothing better to do than argue with twitter plebs about trans women is peak cringe eh.

Anyways, in light of the recent pessimistic Azula content news, thank you for fighting the good fight against blatant author bias that continues to pull the wool over fans’ eyes. I’m glad I stumbled on you & Sage’s Rain’s channel on YouTube

Well, I can't say that I would feel right telling authors not litigate their personal issues in the fiction they create. Whether they do that or not is their issue, and I can think of at least two Vietnam veterans (Joe Haldeman and David Drake) who wrote very good fiction basically as therapy. On the other hand, I think in some cases relitigating issues like that can be unpleasant for readers.

As for using an "irreproachable moral mouthpiece to sell said author’s world view," I agree that's often annoying. If your work is well-written, the ideas and worldview which it expresses should be so intrinsic to it that you don't need a moral mouthpiece to express them.

[ultranos]

You know, between and yours and wingsfreedom’s metas about the not-quite-as-heroic-as-he-seems Uncle Iroh...at the risk of being one of those annoying people constantly comparing everything to Harry Potter, I’m beginning to think Iroh is the Albus Dumbledore of the Avatar world 🤭

Hahah, nah, Iroh isn’t nearly that bad. And to be very fair to him, he does do right by Zuko overall. In the case of Zuko, Iroh’s actions very much match his words, and that is commendable. Zuko (and really, any kid in general) needs that kind of unwavering support and faith, while also getting enough room to fail. Yes, perhaps Iroh could have been more interventionist during some parts, especially when Zuko was acting his most entitled in the EK, but it’s also really important that Iroh gave Zuko the room and agency to fuck up but made sure to stay close enough to catch him when he inevitably fell.

That’s how kids learn.

And in-universe, the majority of people don’t hold Iroh up as some infallible standard. A significant portion of the population in multiple nations hate him. Iroh is really only held up as this impossible figure in a metatextual sense. Fandom has projected this image of him, one that erases his flaws and does the actual character of Iroh a great disservice.

I’m honestly much more interested in the complex and flawed man actually presented in canon than the heroic-and-all-wise-infallable fanon!Iroh. The latter is about as interesting as a bowl of cold oatmeal.

[wankusbonkus-gt]

Are there any characters you won't touch? For any reason, be it being related to a character or their role in a story.

Not really? I mean, I’m open to writing most characters. Even big baddies like Voldemort or Ozai. The ones I won’t write are mostly just old people (think Dumbledore or Iroh) and children. But otherwise, I’ll write anyone if someone’s willing to prompt me about them. Thanks for asking!

[ljf613]

Azula's personality is based on her being a soldier and a princess if you take that away from her, Azula has no personality

Is this a question? Because it seems more like a statement. Are you asking for my opinion on the statement? 

(I assume this in response to my three-month old post on Azula’s “Redemption,” where I stated that “.....her title and status, and that expectation of being a perfect princess– are things she probably shouldn’t get back, because they would do more harm than good.” In which case you should understand that I stand by every single thing i said in that post and refuse to retract a single word.) 

Let’s tackle the first part of your statement-- Azula as a soldier. 

Are you saying that the personalities of soldiers-- particularly child soldiers-- are entirely dependent on their roles as soldiers? That no former soldier should ever bother trying to be anything but a soldier? 

If you really believe that, nothing I say is going to convince you otherwise. (For anyone else interested in exploring this idea, I recommend watching Violet Evergarden, which is a fascinating anime about a former child soldier learning to navigate life after war.) 

Now, let’s talk about Azula as a princess. 

I’ve mentioned before that I really don’t think spending her life trying to fit the role of “perfect princess”-- which she’s done flawlessly up until now-- is healthy for Azula. I’m not going into all of that again. 

What I will say is that Azula is a lot like Iroh. Would you say Iroh can’t ever be anything but a soldier or a prince? Obviously not, especially considering that the show ends with him choosing a simple life of peace and prosperity-- a choice I, personality, think was the right one. 

I’m reminded of the chapter in The Deathly Hallows (for any HP fans reading this) where Dumbledore explains to Harry why he chose a life as a school teacher over one of power and prestige-- he knew he was capable, but he recognized it wasn’t a healthy choice for him. 

I think that there’s a lot of potential for Azula’s future and what she could become, especially considering that she’s only fourteen. She has so many options, so much possibility-- but I don’t think maintaining her roles as princess and soldier would be good for her. You’re welcome to disagree-- you wouldn’t be the only one-- but please don’t do her the disservice of suggesting that without those roles she has no personality to speak of.

[middleofnowhere92]

Ranking all ATLA Villains/Antagonists from worst to best (by someone who loves villains)

This post was inspired by this ask 

Warning: I swear quite a bit in this post and I’m a dumbass, not an ATLA scholar, so take this with a grain of salt. Also I have no idea wtf my ranking criteria was. I assigned arbitrary and meaningless points like Dumbledore giving all the points to Gryffindor at the end of the year. 

Iroh

 I have a secret for you...Iroh is an antagonist.... Say it with me... Iroh is an antagonist. For the people in the back, IROH IS AN ANTAGONIST. He’s not particularly good at at it, but he belongs on this list. Primary reason being, his siege on Ba Sing Se, which was a major battle in the 100 year war and all the other things he did in the war to become a general. If he was good at being a villain, he would at least have the decency to conquer the city, but as Ozai points out, Iroh excels at tea and failure. When we see Iroh in Book 1, He’s a very chill antagonist for the same reason a lot of our other antagonists are (June, the Yuyan Archers, Combustion man etc)-they are helping a villain achieve their goal. In Iroh’s case, he does help Zuko in many ways ( like sneaking him onto Zhao’s ship) and these in turn help Zuko get closer to his goal of capturing Aang. I love Iroh as a character, but he’s not good at being an antagonist, which is why he is ranked the worst. 

Circus Trainer

This man is straight up, evil. I like villains, but I do not like this man. He’s cruel and not in a fun way, which is why he’s near the bottom of the list. The whole point of being a villain is to be cool and do bad things, but he’s not even a little fun to watch. He’s the least interesting to look at... 

Yon Rha

This man is a coward. Like how did he lead the Southern Raiders? He went soft when he got old. He was more savage back in the day. Like this man is a firebender, but he cowers from Zuko before Katara even pops up. He needs to grow a pair. Like Katara said man is pa-thet-ic. 

The Rough Rhinos (ignoring the comics)

They get points for creating my favorite antagonist, Jet. But the first time we see these clowns in the show, the gang just rides away on Appa, easily avoiding them. And then the gang easily defeats them in their next run in. These clowns are good at destroying things, but not really fighting or pursuing others. 

Ozai

I expected more from this man. He was hyped up for three seasons and I just didn’t feel like he was smart enough to be the bad guy for the whole ass show.  The man clearly doesn’t think for himself or show up throughout the series doing  menacing things. The final agni kai overshadowed Ozai and Aang’s showdown. That’s the theme, Azula outshines a grown man as the star villain of the show. He does get some points for his fashion and flair for the dramatic. 

Mai's Uncle (Boiling Rock Warden)

This man, is a dumbass with the reflexes of a sloth. Suki overpowered him in 2 seconds flat. How is this grown man getting defeated by a little nugget like Suki? She was only holding his wrist. He could have just kicked her? Like you are a prison warden, look alive man! And he should have captured Zuko’s little ass and sent him right over to Ozai to get some street cred, but instead he just gets pissed cause Zuko broke up with Mai? First lesson in being a villain/antagonist- power over everything (including family). He does get points for ordering them to cut the line. That’s straight savage. 

Xin Fu and Yu

Toph gets it right, these are two dunderheads. How did they not hear Toph bending metal? They react almost as slowly as the Boiling Rock Warden, letting Toph easily overtake them. They are two skilled benders and they didn’t even stand a chance. 

General Fong

This man gets points for being a bat shit crazy. And I think he’s one of the first non fire nation antagonists we see in the show, so points for him. He’s an underrated antagonist. He does cool bending and his emotional manipulation to get Aang into the Avatar state is A+ villain work. 

Azulon

Azulon gets villain points for keeping the war going. He didn’t fuck it up like Ozai. But Azulon gets his villainness handed to him on a platter, he didn’t really do much, besides maintain status quo. We do get the scene where Ozai asks for the throne. But I don’t think Azulon assumed Ozai was going to kill Zuko. Azulon was trying to make a point, that Ozai’s request was absurd, but he obviously didn’t know Ozai well enough...

Koh

Koh almost didn’t make the list. I don’t really consider him to be an antagonist. Aang came to him asking for information and Koh was trying to do what he does..steal faces. He was just vibing. I included him on this list, because he antagonized us (the viewers). Dude is easily the most terrifying part of the show. 

Ghashiun

He muzzled Appa! He’s not ranked high on this list, because he didn’t know Appa was Aang’s so he wasn’t intentionally trying to fuck with the Avatar. I do like the sandbenders as a whole. They just run around causing chaos with their cool bending. This character, however, loses points, because when he is confronted about stealing Appa, he gets defensive and tries to lie. If you do something bad, at least have the balls to own up to it. 

Wan Shi Tong

Gets points for his flair for the dramatic a la Ozai. I did like Wan Shi Tong’s logic around not giving the gaang information: “You think you're the first person to believe their war was justified?!” He had more brain cells than some of our other villains/antagonists, but was also dumb too? Sokka pretty easily outsmarted him. This Spirit has been alive forever, he shouldn’t be outsmarted by a child. 

The Old Man

Oooof. I almost put him in the number one spot tbh. He did us and Haru so dirty. Like he could have died,but he turned in the person that saved him??? He gets points for shock value and pettiness. I personally think Jet should take him out...

June

June gets points for being a bad bitch. I like her vibe. She’ll do anything as long as you’re paying her the right price and I can respect that. She isn’t higher on the list, because she is executing someone else’s plan, not her own. 

The Yuyan Archers

Speaking of bad bitches, the Yuyan Archers are so cool and I wish they got more screen time! We see very few antagonists that can keep up with Aang the way that this group does. They add a bit of spice and a different flavor to what we know about Fire Nation fighting styles, which I approve of. I hope we see more of them in future ATLA projects. They aren’t higher up, because they are still doing someone else’s bidding. If they had their own leader and their own agenda, that would be some cool shit. 

Combustion Man

This man gets points for giving the gaang a lot of trouble. As viewers, we really worry about whether they will be able to defeat him. I like that he has a different style of bending, which in and of itself is terrifying. He still doesn’t make it up higher on the list, because he’s still doing someone else’s (Zuko’s) bidding.

Rig Warden

On second thought, I may have him ranked a little too high. But oh well, fuck it. He gets many many points for being voiced by George Takei. This man also gets points for having general villain swag. He is sassy and I am here for it. He’s highly effective at crushing the souls of the Earthbenders on the rig. Also, he does not stutter when Haru throws those rocks at him.Came at him full force which is what all the other himbos on this list should have been doing when these children played them! He outright told Katara he was gonna kill her “You’re one mistake away from dying where you stand.” Loses points for begging as he’s dragged off the rig. Go down with some dignity!

The Southern Raiders

So the Southern Raiders get ranked separately from Yon Rha, because he led them towards the end of their conquest. I think they started under Sozin’s reign. This group gets ranked fairly high, because they were very effective at their task. They came, they saw, they decimated-leaving the SWT defenseless and barely able to sustain itself. 

Mai

I like Mai and wish I could rank her higher. I like her knives, they are very cool form of defense that was unique to her. I also love how she just immediately flung arrows at Aang, no hesitation. She does get style points, her aesthetic is everything. Her one liners are pretty funny, “You’re so colorful, you’re making me nauseous.”  She lacks in her commitment. Anytime anything inconveniences her she’s just like eh, no thanks. Hardcore antagonists need to be have some dedication to their cause, which Mai does not.  I feel like she would eventually run out of weapons in a longer battle, which would be a big issue for her. 

Long Feng

Gets instant points for villain swag, creepy vibe and sass. This man kept news of a whole war from Ba Sing Se, even though the city was filled with refugees? Long Feng had his work cut out for him. He loses points, because he lets the children get away with too much. He should have locked down Aaang and co immediately, because they were trouble as soon as they rolled up. Also, he should have fought Azula. He let a fourteen year old take his whole career away. He was never even a player.

Sozin

Sozin gets a  large amount of hypothetical points from being the one to start it all. He’s the one who initiated the 100 year war. He did not play around. He used that comet to its maximum potential. Also he has a dragon, which is fucking cool. He gets bad bitch points for leaving Roku on the exploding island. Like that’s a power move right there. He wiped out the air nomads and invaded the Southern Water Tribe, which is why his successors  are ranked much lower on the list. They really didn’t do shit.

Hama

Gets points for being a waterbender, which is something cool that we hadn’t seen in a villain yet. She also gets points for executing her own deranged agenda. I would love to see her and Jet link up, cause that would have been chaos. She also gets heaps of points for inventing bloodbending. Many of the villains of this list can barely think and homegirl has big brain energy. She is cunning and quick, like when she utilizes Sokka and Aang to attack Katara. I like her general bruja (witch) vibes. She gets more points because she does not motherfucking stutter when Katara figures her out, she just starts bloodbending immediately. She really enjoys her power and I can’t blame her for it. She’s a baddie and she knows it. More points for Hama, because she gets Katara to carry on her legacy (whether she wants to or not) and goes off to jail with her dignity. She’s an all-star villain and I love to see it. She loses a few points, because her bloodbending is limited to the full moon, but she still has her waterbending which is terrifying enough...

Dai Li

Like the rig warden, I probably ranked these himbos too high, but I love them as henchmen. Their bending is amazing, they are sneaky and they can brainwash you? Like fuck me up man. They really are just a joy to watch and their betrayal of Long Feng is so unexpected. This group really creates the creepy/ominous aesthetic the creators were going for in Ba Sing Se. Don’t think their bending is good? They one upped Toph and almost had her, but Jet saved her at the last second. 

Zhao

I feel like Zhao’s characterization is inconsistent (sometimes he has a bad temper, sometimes he doesn’t?) which makes him hard to rank, but let’s do it anyway. He gets points for being voiced by the guy that played Lucius Malfoy, like yaaas work that Slytherin aesthetic. Gets points for using the Yuyan Archers. Loses a lot of points in his fight with Aang, like that child was obviously baiting him. He has a lot of ambition and actually has to work to his rise to power, which he obviously relishes. He’s the perfect antagonist for Zuko. He accomplished his goal of frying the fish/moon and he actually captures Aang. I think the writers added in his hot temper later on, because they realized he was too competent and had to give him a flaw. 

Zuko

Ohhh my morally confused prince, Where do we even start? Zuko gets a lot of points for his sheer determination. I would love to see an unhinged Zuko without Iroh. Zuko’s tenacity and unpredictability make him a fantastic antagonist. Iroh and Azula try to control Zuko, but they never really know what he’s gonna do next and neither do we as the viewers. He’s near the top of the list, because even with so many struggles he kept Aang on the run for two seasons. I like that he actually struggled to be good. He obviously loses points for joining the good guys, but we still love him. 

Jet

Speaking of morally grey, cue up Jet’s theme music. He gets instant points for swag and cool swords. Like the Yuyan archers, Jet is one of the few antagonists we see that can keep up with Aang. Like Zuko, Jet’s dedication to his cause get him high on this list, because he will defeat the Fire Nation at any cause. The creators lose points for being cowards and killing him off. We saw plenty of other people (Sokka) get hit with similar rocks and not die. Jet is a fantastic antagonist with a backstory that the audience can sympathize with. He loses points for not being more versatile in his tactics. I’ve written more on this here. 

Ty Lee

Katara is terrified of her, do I need to elaborate? Ty Lee by far has the scariest skill set on the show. It’s too easy for people to underestimate her. Katara and Suki make that mistake once and then never do it again. Like Toph, Ty Lee knows to wait for the right time to strike, making her highly effective at taking out our favorite benders and whole groups of benders (The Terra Team). Her betrayal of Azula is ICONIC and unexpected, but as always, Ty Lee knows just the right time to strike. I think Ty and Mai were perfectly capable of getting away at the Boiling Rock and I’m disappointed they were captured so easily. 

Azula

Look down, you’re talking to your highness. Can’t see her? She’s the reason for your blindness. 

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Azula is the baddest bitch in the game. PERIODT. She is ruthless, cunning and powerful. Her lightning bending is at a whole other level. She is the smartest person on this list. She takes Ba Sing Se from the inside out, utilizes the Da Li perfectly and has antagonized Zuko from the beginning. As far as I’m concerned, she was made to be Firelord. 

[captainkirkk]

✩ WEEKLY FIC ROUND-UP ✩

A collection of fics I’ve read (/reread) and thoroughly enjoyed in the past week-ish from all kinds of fandoms and genres.

ATLA

Heat, Wait, Steep, Repeat by Haicrescendo

[Zuko’s greatest failing, not his only but just one that stands out the most in a very long list, is that he’s never known quite what he had until it’s gone. Or, on the opposite hand, he covets the things that don’t matter, that seem to matter so much at the time and turn out, in the end, to be something that Zuko’s made up in his head.

And then Zuko finds, of all things after it all, that he misses Uncle Iroh’s tea.]

Or: Zuko screws up his life and in the process of fixing it, figures out some tea wisdom along the way.

enmity (isn't for heroes) by blueseam

Part 1 of new ways

Zuko stands to leave, only to waver, swaying just a little. His blood pressure shifts, and Toph can feel what’s about to happen a moment before it does.

“Someone catch him! He’s gonna –“

With a crash, the dish tumbles from suddenly limp fingers, and Zuko crumples to the ground.

“…faint,” Toph finishes.

-

The Gaang’s journey to trusting Zuko is anything but smooth.

(Slight AU after Boiling Rock)

A Second Chance by araluen_x

Aang's energybending fails, and the war is lost. But before the gaang can blink, they wake up in the past, on the day that Katara and Sokka found the Avatar.

The war's a lot easier to win when your biggest enemies are on your side from the beginning.

Ft. the gaang's antics, loads of dramatic irony, and literally the entire Fire Nation being confused as to why, when, and how the banished prince got happy emotions and friends

Harry Potter

Flashes From a Brighter Time by noqueenbutthequeeninthenorth

1986: After Harry's power starts manifesting, the Dursleys want nothing more to do with him. Dumbledore decides to find someone better suited to raising him.

“I thought perhaps you might raise Harry.”

“Me?”

“Who better? I had my reasons for sending him to the home of his relatives, but I am not so hard-headed an old man that I can’t admit when a plan is not working.”

The Witcher

The god of scraped knees. by spqr (+ podfic)

Jaskier’s been pretending to be human for so long now that he hardly remembers what it feels like to be a sorcerer. He doesn’t want to remember what it feels like to be a sorcerer. But people still murmur his name with reverence in certain dim halls; Dandelion, Dandelion, destroyer of worlds. 

The Witcher Wolf by im_fairly_witty

It’s been two weeks since Geralt shouted Jaskier away from him on that mountain and Jaskier has been handling it like a champ by forlornly wandering alone in the wilderness with his lute. When he (literally) stumbles across an injured white wolf he decides to take a chance and see if he can help it, appreciating the irony of the situation but not quite realizing why it is that the wolf’s golden eyes look exactly like his Witcher’s...

Untamed

You, Asleep and Dreaming by etymologyplayground (+ podfic)

Wei Wuxian chuckles and starts pushing Lan Wangji's outer robes off his shoulders. "Poor Lan Zhan, subject to such earthly miseries. You must be exhausted, come to bed, come to bed."

"Mm," Lan Wangji says. He raises his arms so that Wei Wuxian can keep undressing him. His clothes will end up on the floor, but no matter. Wei Wuxian's deft hands at his belts are worth wrinkled robes.

"... Goodness, Hanguang-Jun, you wear too many damned layers," Wei Wuxian tells him after a while. "Would it kill you to stop after a reasonable five?"

--

Wei Wuxian moves into the Jingshi. They sleep together.

sugar stains by lanjingyeet

Jiang Wanyin’s face slowly takes on a kind of horrified expression that Lan Wangji would find funny if it wasn’t for the fact of the actual situation. He’s clearly noticing all the same things Lan Wangji did that first time: the same slope of nose, the light in the eyes, the messy mop of hair. Jiang Wanyin, after all, was far better acquainted with Wei Ying around this age than Lan Wangji was.

"Hanguang-jun, what the f—”

a yiling laozu who lived [PODFIC] by exmanhater, isweedan, miss_marina95, Opalsong, RevolutionaryJo, Rhea314 (Rhea) 

The ancient and powerful villain may have had a calm and gentle face as he spoke, but he was furious, not at the hero, but the gods for continually sending kids and teenagers to fight their battles.

from me to you by Ceta

Wei Too Cool ✓ @wei-wuxian correct me if i’m wrong but i’m pretty sure that’s a love song @LanWangJi #AtFirstSight

Or; Three-time Golden Globe recipient Wei WuXian and seven-time Grammy award recipient Lan WangJi’s love story through the eyes of the internet.

Inquiry by incendir

Part 1 of Resolutions (Note: I haven’t finished this series yet, but so far, I’ve found some great fics in there)

Sizhui cannot fall asleep for a long, long time that night. He hears the ever-familiar melody again. He thinks perhaps he has memorized it by now.

[lilulo-12fanfiction]

Rain Song- 4

So here is the long awaited chapter 4! I hope you enjoy it. 

Thank you so much for all of your likes, re-blogs and the few comments I’ve gotten. It gives me motivation to keep going! If you would like to be tagged, please let me know!

Requests are always open! Check out my prompt here. I write for Harry Potter, The Avengers, Supernatural & TVD/The Originals.

Series Masterlist

Tag List: @marsbowiemoon @themeanestlittlewitch​ @banana-tree-freddiemercury @boba-king-iroh 

Hope laid in her bed starting out the window as she absentmindedly stroked Crookshank’s orange fur. She had taken Cedric’s advice about not confronting her Uncle earlier in the evening. Yet Hope knew she wouldn’t sleep again without an explanation. Hope hopped out of her bed, slid her slippers on and made her way down the stairs.

Hermione was sitting with Ron and a miserable looking Harry. He had tried to apologize when she got back but Hope would not look at him. She was furious. How could he have thought she would have kept that from him. She knew the feeling that the truth was being hidden. She couldn’t do that to someone else. Even if it meant spilling the truth about her own father.

“Hope?” Hermione sounded optimistic that she was coming to sit with them. She was stomping towards the portrait hole in her sweat pants and a t-shirt. Hermione realize quickly that she was leaving. “Hope it’s after hours.”

“I don’t care Hermione. I need to speak with my uncle.” Hope paused to answer her friend.

“If you’re caught you could get detention.” Hermione tried to reason. Hope rolled her eyes.

“Hermione- there are worse things than getting detention. I don’t care.” Hope snapped. Hermione hadn’t expected that kind of reaction. Before she could say anything else, Hope was gone.

“That’s my fault.” Harry sighed miserably. “I was just so worked up...I shouldn’t have taken it out on her. I shouldn’t have assumed.” Harry felt a mixture of rage at the man that betrayed his parents, guilt for attacking his daughter...one of his best friends. He felt a deep affection for her, mostly, he thought, because she had an idea of what he felt. Harry was just happy that she had Remus and didn’t have to go through childhood like he did. 

“That’s obvious.” Ron muttered, snapping Harry out of his thoughts. “Don’t take it personally Hermione. I’m sure she’ll apologize.”

“No, it’s alright. I shouldn’t have said that.” Hermione sighed. “I was just trying to think of something that would make her stay.  Should I follow her?”

“No, definitely not.” Harry shook his head. “She needs to do whatever it is she’s doing. Drawing more attention to her won’t help. She was lied to as well. I’m assuming she’ll be having a go at her Uncle. ” Hermione let out a hefty sigh and sat back in her plush chair. Harry was right. Hope needed space. Now they just had to wait for her to come back.

Hope’s anger was palpable. Her explosive temper was bubbling to the surface. It had to be a gift from her father. Remus had always told her that her mother had been infinitely patient. She blinked back tears as she made her way down the corridor. She didn’t know what she was going to say, but she couldn’t hold this in.

“Ms. Lupin!” Hope halted and slowly turned when she heard the cold voice.

“Professor Snape.” Her voice was clipped.

“What are you doing in the corridors after hours?”  Hope took a deep breath.

“I need to see my Uncle.” She wrapped her arms around herself. Snape eyed her curiously. Her distress  was clear. Snape saw so much of Evanora Lupin in front of him, but the look in her blazing grey eyes were the eyes of Sirius Black.

“I’ve told you before that your Uncle being on staff doesn’t exempt you from the rules.”

“I understand. If you feel the need to give me detention then I supposed that is your prerogative. I’m sure something in your dungeon needs cleaning. But I’m going to see my Uncle.” Snape felt a mix of anger and respect for the girl in front of him.

“I cannot let you go unattended.” Hope turned as she felt Snape grab her arm. For a split second Hope tried to pull her arm from his grasp but then she was hit with an onslaught of visions so overwhelming she grabbed her chest as she gasped. Snape raised his brows in alarm.

“Let- let go! Let me go!” Hope screamed. The images were overwhelming. There was a ponding in her ears but she heard McGonagall’s alarmed voice and then her Uncle’s.

“Get your hands off my niece.” Snape drew his hand back quickly and Lupin caught Hope as she stumbled.

“Severus- what is going on?!” McGonagall demanded.

“I came upon her in the corridor saying she was going to Lupin. I reminded her that being his niece did not exempt her from the rules. She insisted and when she tried to leave without being accompanied I simply grabbed her arm and well you saw the rest.” Snape was trying to hide his shock. He had never seen anyone react like that before. Lupin was holding Hope and trying to calm her down.

“You have no right to put your hands on a student.” Lupin was angry. He didn’t show anger very often, Snape knew that, but his eyes were blazing. Before either of them could say anything Hope had seemingly pulled herself together and shoved Remus away. “Hope?”

“You lied.” Her voice was horse but it still dripped with coldness, her eyes were hard. The color had darkened, the way it did whenever she was angry.

“Lied about what?” Lupin was running the gamut in his brain. There was nothing he could think of that they had discussed lately that would warrant her ire.

“About him.” Then it hit him. Lupin and Hope both knew what him she was speaking of. “They’re dead because of him and you lied and kept it from me.” Hot tears poured down her cheek. The look on Lupin’s face told her she was right. She had hoped that he would have denied it. Deep in her heart she couldn’t believe it, but her Uncle did.

“I did not want you to shoulder that. It’s not your job to make up for what he did.” It took McGonagall a moment before the realization hit her. “Who told you?” Lupin asked. 

Hope scoffed and then turned to her Head of House. “You should take care, Professor, when you discuss sensitive matters in the Three Broomsticks.” Hope snapped. Never in her life would she have ever expected herself to speak to Minerva McGonagall in that tone, but she was so angry it was bubbling toward the surface. The exchange was interrupted as footsteps approached them.

“Hope, might you join me in my office?” Albus Dumbledore stood a few steps away. She nodded and stepped towards him. “Don’t worry Remus, I will get her back to Gryffindor Tower safely. You two can discuss the matter tomorrow. Hope, make your way to my office, I’ll be there shortly. The password is Jelly Slugs.”  

Hope silently made her way to The Head Master’s office. Her mind was spinning at the images that had popped into her head when Snape had touched her. She was in such a fog she didn’t notice much of anything when she entered his office and there was a lot to notice.  In fact, she didn’t realize The Headmaster had joined her until she felt Dumbledore touch her arm as he went to take a seat.

“Hope- I need to know what you saw when Professor Snape touched you.” Dumbledore watched Hope closely.

“I’m still trying to work it out. I-I don’t understand. I normally don’t have this happen with someone I’m not close with. And quite frankly, with all due respect, someone I dislike so immensely.” Hope avoided the word hate. She saw a glimmer of a smile flicker on Dumbledore’s face. “Professor-“ Hope let out a sigh of frustration. “Why does that happen to me in the first place?”

“I suspect you, like your mother, are a rare legilimens. She too could see the thoughts and memories of others upon touching them. With practice she was able to become quite gifted at legilimency.” Hope let that sink in for a moment. Dumbledore took it as a sign to continue. “Like you, at first, it happened against her will and only with those who she had a bond. I also suspect that the reason it happened with Professor Snape is due to your heightened emotional state.”

“He was a Death Eater.” Hope started picking through the images in her head. “He was close with Voldemort. But he...he switched sides? There are so many memories.” Hope shook her head. She felt nauseated. She could feel Severus Snape’s internal anguish. It was hard to picture him as someone who had those feelings.

“There is much more to it than that.” Dumbledore sighed. “Hope, I must ask you to keep this to yourself. You cannot tell any of your friends, especially Harry.” Hope looked at the headmaster quizzically.

“Lily.” She whispered. Her hand covering her mouth. A young girl with startling green eyes was staring at her from her own mind. The same eyes she had seen before she knew they belonged to Harry. “He- he knew Harry’s mother. He loved her?” Hope’s nose scrunched as shesaw Lily through Snape’s eyes. “How could he love her and be so awful to Harry?” Dumbledore watched as Hope started piecing things together. “Because he hated James. And Harry is the physical embodiment of his father. But that’s no excuse for the way he treats Harry? For the way he treat any student that isn’t in his house?! You’re protecting him! You let him verbally abuse his students! How could you allow it?” Dumbledore sighed and pinched the bridge of his crooked nose.

“Hope, when Voldemort fell, Professor Snape was working as a spy. No one ever found out. I need that secrecy to remain. If he were to behave differently, someone would notice. Any remaining Death Eaters would question his loyalty. There will come a time where Lord Voldemort will return and it is essential that Professor Snape be able to pick up where he left off.”

“I understand that. But there is a big difference between favoring Harry for being Lily’s son and behaving like a decent human being! Did you know that Neville’s boggart is Snape?” Dumbledore held back the need to correct Hope and remind her to call him Professor. She was far too angry, and rightfully so.

“I did not know that.” Dumbledore watched the range of expressions on Hope’s face.

“So I’m supposed to keep my mouth shut to protect him. I think it’s only fair that maybe you have a chat with him on how he treats his students, at least Neville.” Hope huffed. Dumbledore smiled.

“I will talk with Professor Snape about Neville. You know Hope, any one else would extort something for themselves. It’s very admirable you are thinking of your fellow students.” Hope’s face turned red.

“I didn’t mean to come across as blackmail.” Hope’s anger deflated. “I just think that if Neville was given more guidance and patience he would have more confidence. It’s his lack of confidence that holds him back.”

“I didn’t think you meant it as blackmail. I think it’s a fair request.” Dumbledore reassured Hope.  “I’m sure you will have questions as more of his memories become clear to you. You are always welcome to come to me. You have a terribly powerful gift that carries a burden. I watched your mother struggle with it, but once she got the hang of it, she managed beautifully.”

“What do you mean by burden?”

“You see things that are coming, or could be coming. Often times, you must keep them to yourself. Fate is a funny thing.”

“I don’t understand.”  Dumbledore paused for a moment. He needed to decide how to tell her. He wished Remus had been more forthcoming.

“Your mother knew she was going to die. She saw it. She also knew it was necessary so you could be saved. She had your Uncle take you away and stayed behind. She was afraid The Death Eaters would take you. They wouldn’t know for sure if you had the same gifts your mother did, but they no doubt would have tried to hold you until you were old enough to show your powers. That is why your Uncle kept you from the magical community. Voldemort’s supporters are still out there. He was afraid they would come for you.” He watched as Hope silently blinked back tears. “Hope, I know that you are angry with him. You have every right to be. I also know your empathy knows no bounds. Try to understand his fear and his need to protect you. He knew the pain you would feel growing up without your parents. He wanted to spare you the pain of the full truth.”

“My Uncle won’t like it.”

“Well, we are past that point. If you don’t learn to control it, it will be much more difficult for you. He knows, deep down, you will need help that he can’t provide. Hope I ask that you remain patient with him as he slowly unburdened himself to you. He is still your guardian and he will balance the truth and your safety. I know it’s frustrating, but you have to give him time.”

“I know. I’m just so angry right now and confused. I’m angry at Harry for accusing me of lying to him. But I know it’s because I told him I thought there was more to what happened with my father. That him being a Death Eater doesn’t make sense. But I wouldn’t lie to Harry. Not when I already told him so much of my truth. And then to find out like that and not from my uncle, it hurts.” Fawkes had perched on her knee and was nudging her hand with his head so she would pet him. He apparently didn’t like to see her upset.

“Give yourself time to be angry. You have every right to feel what you feel, but don’t stay angry too long so that you miss out on the people you care about.” Hope nodded. “Now, I know it is past curfew, but you’ll find Mr. Diggory waiting for you right outside my office. I have instructed Mr. Filch that you both have my permission to be out of your dormitories. But don’t stay out too late, you look very tired.” Hope felt her heart jump slightly. “But I feel some cheering up is most important.”

“Thank you Professor.” Dumbledore gave her a kind smile.

“We will start meeting after the Christmas Holiday. Oh and Hope- Happy early birthday.” She grinned at quickly made her way out of his office.

As promised, there stood Cedric. His hair slightly tussled and his grey blue eyes shining. He was wearing flannel pajama pants and a hoodie. Like always, his smile took her breath away.

“Hey Lupes.” She felt a sudden wave of emotion and felt tears spring to her eyes. “Hey- hey, it’s okay.” He rushed to her and pulled her to his torso and wrapped her in his arms. Like a reflex, she wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. As she inhaled deeply, the familiar scent of sandalwood drifted into her nose. The rich sweet smell was beginning to remind her  of comfort and safety. After a few moments, Cedric pulled away so he could look at her. He wiped her tears and smiled softly. “C’mon, let’s go. It’s not very often we get permission to roam the castle this late. I know exactly where to go.”

 She was beginning to realize she would follow Cedric just about anywhere. She nodded to give him the okay. He slipper his hand into hers and led her through the castle. Soon Cedric was leading Hope up a set of stone steps. She knew it wasn’t the Owlery. When they reached the top of the stairs, Cedric led her into the circular room. It was the Astronomy Tower. As it was a clear night, Hope looked around at every star that was illuminating the sky.

“This is…wow.” The chill in the night air nipped at Hope’s skin and she felt a shiver run through her body. Cedric pulled his hands from hers. He slipped his hooded Chudley Cannons sweatshirt off and handed it to Hope.

“You’re freezing.”

“What about you.”

“I have a thermal shirt on. I’ll be fine.  I can see the goosebumps on your arm. Why do I have a feeling this late night stroll wasn’t planned. Hope what happened?”

“I…I was laying in bed and I was just so angry. I wanted to speak to my uncle and then I bumped into Snape and it was a whole thing.” Hope rolled the cuffs of Cedric’s sweatshirt. He was staring down studying her face.

“You’re leaving something out.”

“What?”

“Hope- you were with the headmaster after hours. He sent an owl to Professor Sprout for me to meet you.” Hope wouldn’t meet his eyes. She wished she could tell him everything, but she had made a promise to Dumbledore. She felt him hook his finger under her chin and tipped her head up to look him in the eye. “It’s okay if you’re not ready to talk about it. You don’t have to say anything. You can tell me when you’re ready.”

“Cedric…” Hope started, but was stopped by his lips lightly pressing on hers.

“Don’t say anything. I’m here to make you feel better, not worse.” He ran his thumb over her cheek. She felt like the air in her lungs was sucked out and her heart was pounding. “Is it working?” He whispered and when she nodded he kissed her again, only not as softly this time. She was breathless again when he pulled away. “Good.” He smiled down at her again. “C’mon, let’s sit.”

 He sat down on the floor and leaned against the wall. He motioned for Hope to sit in front of him with a grin. She sat down and he pulled her so her back was against hischest. They sat quietly for a while. Hope desperately wanted to tell him everything but she wasn’t sure how he would react. She felt him rub his nose against her neck and she felt a fresh batch of goosebumps erupt all over her skin.

“Thank you, Ced.”

“For what?”

“For not pushing me to talk. There are things that I can’t tell you. I made a promise that I wouldn’t. I want to tell you, but I Just can’t.

“Hope, you don’t have to explain anything I understand. Maybe you could think of something you could tell me that I don’t know.”

“My birthday is tomorrow…well in a couple of hours that is.”

“Winter Solstice baby?”

“Least amount of daylight all year.”

“I’m betting you make the day seem a bit brighter. You make every one of my days brighter.”

“That’s quite a line.”

“It’s the truth.” Hope leaned her head back and rested it on Cedric’s shoulder. She felt him kiss her cheek. “I should get you back to your common room, it’s really late.”

“True- at Midnight I might turn into a pumpkin.”

“Pumpkin? What?” Hope laughed.

“It’s a Muggle fairytale, sorry I forget you wouldn’t understand the reference.” Cedric dropped his forehead on her shoulder and laughed. Hope sat for a few more moments enjoying the heat of Cedric against her. He groaned as she stood up. She put her hand out to help him up.

“Just one quick thing before I take you back.” Before Hope could say anything Cedric was kissing her again by cupping her face. When he pulled away he gave her another boyish grin. “Early birthday kiss.” He put his arm around her shoulders and led her out of the Astronomy Tower. They walked in a comfortable silence as they made their way to Gryffindor Tower.

“Here you go M’lady, safe and sound.” Hope laughed.

“Thanks Ced.“

“For walking you back to your tower? I mean I’m quite certain you could have found it on your own.” She was pretty sure the way he was looking at her was going to make her heart explode.

“For making me feel better. For not trying forcing me to talk.”

“Hope, I’ll never force you to do anything you don’t want to do or can’t do. But can I offer some advice?”

“Always.”

“Don’t stay angry at Harry or your Uncle for too long. I can’t imagine how it would feel to have you angry at me.”

  “Cedric…”

“Hope- you love them, both of them. They made mistakes, and you have every right to be mad. I just feel like it’s going to hurt you more if you stay mad.” Hope sighed.

“You’re right.” Cedric gave her a satisfied look. “Don’t get used to hearing that.” She pointed her finger at him.

“Wouldn’t dream of it. Speaking of dreams, only good ones Lupes.” Cedric leaned down and kissed her one last time. “Birthday Breakfast tomorrow?” Hope nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

Hope watched as he walked away. Half way down the corridor he turned and gave her one last grin. When he turned back around, she gave Sir Calogen the password and climbed into the portrait hole. She hoped The Fat Lady would be back soon.  As she looked up Harry jumped up from his chair. He, Ron and Hermione were seated near the fire.

“Hope! Where have you been?! It’s almost midnight.” She gave him a scathing look. “Whose sweatshirt is that?”

“None of your business.” Harry grabbed her arm as she tried to stalk back. She yanked her arm away.

“We were worried. I- I was worried.” Hope felt the ice around her heart crack slightly, but she wasn’t ready to relent.

“I’m sorry I made you worry.” And she continued up the steps up to her dorm room and left Harry gaping at the bottom of the stairs.

Hope pulled Cedric’s sweatshirt up and took a deep breath in to smell his cologne. She didn’t ever think she would feel like this about a boy.

“Hope?” Hermione called from the doorway. “Are you okay?” Hope turned to face her.

“Yes…and no. I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you or make you worry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. You were just gone for a really long time. We were afraid that you got caught.”

Hope sighed as she sat down on her bed and patted next to her so Hermione would sit with her. Hermione listened with attention. Hope left out the details about Snape that Dumbledore asked her not to tell to herself. It wasn’t her place to share anyway.

“Wow…that’s a lot.” Hope nodded. “I can’t believe that he had Cedric waiting for you. And The Astronomy tower sounds very romantic. Oh! You’re blushing.”  Hermione grinned. “You’re falling for him.”

“Stop it.” Hermione grinned again.

“You will try and forgive Harry won’t you?”

“I will. I just need some time.”

“What about your Uncle?”

“I just, I knew there were things he wasn’t telling me, but this is huge. I need him to be honest with me.”

“Hope, he loves you so much. He just wants to protect you.”

“I know. But sometimes protecting someone is worse for them than the truth.”

“I know, but Christmas is this week. You don’t want to be fighting.”

“Hermione…I promise that I will make up with my uncle AND Harry before Christmas. I just need some time to stew in it.” Hermione nodded.

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me it’s your birthday.” Hope waived her off. “I don’t want anyone making a big deal.”

“Well I suppose it’s good that your Uncle let it slip to Harry.” Hermione grinned as Hope moaned. “So you really need to make up with Harry tomorrow morning.” Hope gave Hermione a scathing look.

“After my breakfast with Cedric. He leaves tomorrow for the Christmas holiday. Now go to sleep. I’m exhausted.”

“Probably all of the kissing you did.” Hermione teased. Hope glared at her one last time before hastily shutting her bed curtains.

Hope swallowed as she walked down the stairs to the common room. She knew the walk to the Great Hall would be awkward. She paused at the bottom step and took a calming breath and made her way into the common room. Ron grinned at her when he saw her.

“Happy Birthday!” He yelled. She rolled her eyes and made her way over to Ron and Hermione.

“Thanks Ron.” She looked around slightly. “Where’s-“

“Harry is running late. He’ll meet us in the Great Hall.” Hope nodded at Ron. 

“C’mon- don’t want to be late for your birthday breakfast with your boyfriend” he teased. Hope gave Hermione a dirty look. Hope followed Ron and Hermione out of the portrait hole and looked towards the steps of the boys dormitory. She had a feeling Harry wasn’t running late but wanted to spare her.

Hope tuned out Ron and Hermione’s bickering about Scabbers and Crookshanks. Hope stopped in her tracks. There stood Cedric leaning against the wall in front of The Great Hall. He had two long stemmed lavender roses in his hand. He was wearing a navy blue v-neck sweater that Hope knew would make his eyes stand out. His smile beamed when he saw her walking towards him.

“We’ll uh, leave you to it.” Ron wiggled his eyebrows and then groaned when Hope elbowed him in his stomach. She heard Cedric’s laugh ring out. Cedric watched as her eyes sparkled as she approached him.

“When did you have time to get flowers? You found out about my birthday not even 10 hours ago.”

“You do know my head of house runs the Herbology department. She also happens to be very fond of you.”

“Which is surprising because I’m dreadful at Herbology. And how did you know lavender roses were my favorite?”

“Your Uncle. I sent him and owl last night. Right after I sent one to my mother. You didn’t give me much time.”

“Your mother?” Cedric grinned and placed his hand on the small of her back and led her into The Great Hall. He had clearly gotten there early to snag two seats at the end of the Gryffindor table. There was a present wrapped and placed at the end of the table between the two seats. There were balloons at the end of the table as well. Hope felt the heat rush to her face as everyone stared at them. Cedric pulled the chair out and helped her into her seat. Her plate was filled with an omelet and toast. She could tell it was filled with sausages, peppers and onions with extra cheese, her favorite.

“Also your Uncle.” Cedric pointed to her plate when he saw her look of surprise.

“Cedric, this is, wow.”

“Happy Birthday Lupes. I wish I had more time.”

“I can’t really think of what else you would need more time for Ced. This is amazing.” He beamed.

“I guess you’ll find out next year, won’t you?”

“Confident I’ll keep you around huh?” Hope could listen to Cedric laugh forever.

“I just wish I wasn’t leaving today for two weeks.”

“You could stay at Hogwarts you know.”

“And miss my family Christmas party? My father would come get me himself. You going to be okay here?” Concern flooded his face.

“Yeah I’ll be fine. My uncle is here. Hermione and Ron are staying too.”

“And Harry?”

“Yes and Harry. His Aunt and Uncle are horrible. He was the main reason the 3 of us decided to stay. Uncle Remus had suggested going to my cousin’s house, but I think I’d rather be here.”

“It’s nice that he has friends like the three of you. Did you talk to him last night when you got back?” Hope sighed.

“No. I just need a little more time. I did promise Hermione that I would forgive him before Christmas. C’mon let’s eat. That way we’ll have a little time before you leave.”

“Open this first.” Cedric handed her the wrapped gift. Hope took it from him and slowly opened it up. It was a leather bound copy of “Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales”. Hope blinked for a few seconds and looked at Cedric.

“One of my roommates is a Muggle. He explained the pumpkin reference. I just thought that you might like it.” Hope ran her hand over the soft black leather and the gold embossed writing.

“I love it. I love fairy tales.”

“Well then I guess I just got lucky.” Hope felt the breath leave her lungs again when she looked at Cedric. He had that effect on her. He took her hand and squeezed it.

“Thank you, Cedric.”

“You are more than welcome. Maybe we can ask Hermione to bring this stuff up to your room. We can go for a walk and then I can grab my trunk and you can maybe walk me to the carriages?”

“I’d love that.” Cedric jumped up and walked over to Hermione. As Hope looked up, she saw Harry starring at her. He mouthed “Happy Birthday.” and looked away.

Hope’s face was still burning as she walked back into the castle. She and Cedric had strolled the corridors as he told her about the Diggory Christmas party. While he was an only child, he had a rather large extended family. They had ended up at their window and they sat closely together.

“So, I know we’ve only had one date.”

“Well today kind of feels like a second date.” Hope mused.

“I suppose it is.” Cedric ran his nose up her cheek and kissed her temple. Hope was certain her new skin tone was blush. “Be my girlfriend. Give me something for my mother to tell my gossip hungry aunts.”

“Well if it’s to help out your mother. She did help get me a lovely book and balloons for my birthday.”

“I mean we can break up after the Easter holidays.” Hope laughed.

“I’d love to be your girlfriend Ced.”

“Really?”

“I mean I’m solely in it for the gifts…” Cedric interrupted her with a kiss.

“Now I really wish I was staying here for the holiday.”

“I guess this will give you time to miss me. You have to get going Ced. You’ll miss the carriages to the train.”

“I know. Do me a favor?”

“Anything…well almost anything.”

“Make up with your Uncle and Harry. You’ll feel better.”

Cedric was right of course. So she promised she would. Which was how she found herself on her way to her Uncle’s office. She hesitated before she knocked.

“It’s open.” She hears his tired voice ring out. She slowly opened the door. She felt her anger ebb away when she saw how strained he looked. When he saw her he jumped to his feet.  “Hope! I’m so glad to see you. I’m so sorry-“ Hope held her hand up to stop him. She rushed over and wrapped her arms around his torso and hugged him. She felt his body relax as he hugged her back. “Come sit” he finally said. She took and Remus sat next to her. He sighed. “I know that you’re angry. You have every right to be. There is just so much that you don’t know. And I know you want to know everything and I know you think you’re old enough to know it. The Minister was concerned about you and Harry when your father broke out from Azkaban. He wanted the details of his arrest kept from the both of you. He was worried and quite frankly so was I that you or Harry would leave Hogwarts and go look for him.” Hope nodded. “Hope I love you very much. Your mother asked me to keep you safe. I told you before, I can’t lose you too. You’re all I have left.”

“Uncle Remus, I know. I promise you that I won’t go look for him, but you have to promise to tell me more. I need to know.”

“Darling, I promise you someday I will tell you more. Unfortunately, there isn’t much else I can tell you about what happened with your father than what you know. I wasn’t there. All I can tell you is that he grew increasingly paranoid and had pushed me away. Your mother tried to keep us close. But, she was unsuccessful. She may have known more than she let on, but she must have had her reasons for keeping it to herself.”

“Dumbledore called it a terrible gift. And that she had to stay quiet about a lot of things and something about fate.” Remus wiped a stray tear from her cheek.

“Hope, I’m begging you to let this go. Please. Nothing can change what happened. I will share more about your parents with you, when I’m feeling better.”

“Oh Uncle Remus…I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine reliving this is easy for you. I’ve been so selfish. You had to live through all of this and I’m asking you to go through it again.”

“Hope, Darling, you don’t need to apologize.” He waved her off. He studied her face. “So you’ve been spending quite a bit of time with Cedric.” He smiles as she blushed.

“He asked me to be his girlfriend.” Hope wasn’t sure how her Uncle would react. He did tend to be over protective.

“He is a very nice young man and he’s very lucky if you have agreed.” Remus laughed at her expression. “Don’t look so shocked Hope. Anyone that makes you as happy as I have seen you lately has my blessing. Now wait here, I want to get you your birthday present. Though I’m not sure I can beat that breakfast.” He winked at her and laughed as her face grew red again. “Now, I had Arthur help me with this, so I hope it works the way it is supposed to.” He handed Hope the package. Hope smiled at her Uncle’s inept at wrapping a present. She pulled out a Disc Man that seemed to have some odd attachments.

“Uncle Remus…I, I’m confused.” He smiled.

“Well I know how much your music quiets your mind, I also know that yours hasn’t worked since we’ve been at Hogwarts. Arthur is rather talented at enchanting non magical objects- oh!” Hope had flung her arms around her Uncle.

“Thank you so much. I’ve missed my music so much.” Hope cried.

“You’re welcome Darling, Happy Birthday. Now you should get back to your common room. I feel there might be some other surprises waiting for you and I need to rest.” Hope kissed her Uncle on the cheek.

“I’ll come check on you tomorrow. Do you have your potion?”

“Yes, Professor Snape brought it by earlier. You don’t have to worry.” Hope hesitated. “Hope- go, enjoy the rest of your birthday. I will be fine.” Hope beamed at him one final time and rushed out of his office and headed toward the Gryffindor common room.

Harry watched as the fire crackled. He was miserable. He couldn’t stop kicking himself for what had happened the night before. He was quick to anger and Hope was quick to hang on to anger. It was his own fault. He was tuning out Hermione and Ron bickering as they hung up decorations for Hope’s birthday. They had a few presents piled up for her. Fred and George had assisted by getting food and a cake. Harry had no idea where and how they had gotten all of it. Harry knew Hope would be pleased with the chocolate cake. He had given up on watching her on the Maurader’s Map. He had tortured himself enough by watching her and Cedric moving around the map. He assumed Cedric had left already.

“Oh you guys!” Hope cried as she clamored through the portrait hole.

“No! We weren’t done yet!” Hermione protested.

“Well, I’ll go sit over here and you can finish hanging the banner.” Hope grinned. She wandered over and sat near Harry. He could feel her gray eyes studying him, waiting for him to say something. She sighed. “Harry, please look at me.” He slowly turned to look at her. Her heart cracked at the look on his face.

“That was some birthday breakfast.” He commented. “You seem really happy.”

“Harry.” Hope took his hand. His green eyes met her gray ones.

“I’m sorry. I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have even thought you would ever lie to me. And I certainly shouldn’t have yelled at you. I’m also sorry for ruining your date. But what I’m mostly sorry for you finding out the truth like that. I found out a similar way.”

“I accept your apology. It’s okay, really. You weren’t thinking straight. I had a similar moment last night.“ Harry grinned as Hope gave him a run down of her hallway flip out.

“I kind of wish I could have seen you yell at Snape.”

“Yeah he didn’t know what to do. I have a feeling it was a first.”

“Well a first that he didn’t tear you down.”

“Well I feel my Uncle may have taken him out. His friendly demeanor tends to go away when I’m involved.”

“Oh good! You’ve made up!” Hermione exclaimed when she came over.

“I did tell you last night that we would be fine. I have a feeling that this won’t be our first spat on the account we both have horrendous tempers.” Harry bumped Hope with his shoulder.

“So…how’s your boyfriend? Pretty fancy breakfast.” Ron teased.

“He’s good. Almost home I bet.” Ron’s eyes widened.

“You didn’t say he wasn’t your boyfriend!” Hope shrugged.  Ron wiggled his eyebrows.

“Shut it.” Hope threw a pillow at Ron. Hermione noticed how quiet Harry had gotten but didn’t comment. Ron made a few more obnoxious comments before Hermione intervened with presents.

“So Fred and George’s gift is the food and the enormous cake. They also told me to make fun of you and Cedric.” Ron handed her his gift that was filled with sweets from Honeydukes. “I wasn’t sure what to get you so I figured replenishing your sugar supply would be appreciated.” Ron was pleased with Hope’s happiness. Hermione handed her a rather heavy package. Hope was not surprised by the Arithmancy book on her lap.

“I figured it would help you catch up from missing the first couple of weeks of class.” Hermione was sheepish.

“Hermione, this is perfect.”

“I still can’t believe you dropped such an easy class to take Arithmancy.” Ron scoffed.

“I could not handle Trewlawney and her hack of a class.”  Ron shook his head. Harry leaned forward and handed Hope a beautifully wrapped package. She looked up and smiled at him. Apparently it was the day for leather bound. Harry had gotten Hope a gorgeous royal blue leather bound sketch book with her initials embossed on the lower right hand corner. He had also included some new charcoal pencils and watercolor pencils.

“Harry, this is beautiful. How did you manage this?”

“Hermione helped. I knew what I wanted to get you, so she found it for me.” Hope hugged him.

“I love it. It’s perfect.”

A while later, Hope was stuffed with great food and a magnificent cake. She was putting her gifts away when she noticed a small present on the end of her bed. Confused, she sat down and slowly opened it. It was an antique looking silver ring shaped like a rose. Underneath was a small note.

Hope- this was your mother’s and I thought you might like to have it. Happy Birthday, I wish I could have been there for all of them.

 Hope felt tears spring to her eyes. Underneath the note was a picture. It was a photo of her being held by one of the most handsome men she had ever seen. Her eyes  were looking back at her in the form of her father, Sirius Black.

The Christmas holiday wasn’t as relaxing as she had hoped. It had started with Crookshanks going after Scabbers and grew worse when McGonagall confiscated The Firebolt for testing. Harry and Ron were furious with Hermione. Hope understood where Hermione was coming from and actually agreed that it should have been looked at. That made Ron and Harry angry with her as well, just not as angry as they were with Hermione.

Hope had kept the gift from her father to herself. At first, it was to process it and then it was to obsess over it. By the time she was ready to talk about it, McGonagall had taken Harry’s Firebolt. There was no way she was going to risk anyone taking that ring or the note and photo her father had sent. She knew, even I’d be was after Harry, he wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. Her Uncle had been recovering from the full moon so she didn’t want to bring it up and worry him. Her only option was Cedric, but she didn’t dare put it in writing. He had sent her a letter and some chocolate on Christmas morning stating he wanted to give her the gift he got her in person. Hope had spent her holiday with Hermione trying to find a way to save Buckbeak and working on a sketch of the Astronomy Tower. Her Uncle had helped her get a really beautiful silver frame to place it in. She was also able to order a really nice cerulean sweater. It would look perfect with his eyes.

She screeched as she felt a pair of arms around her waist and spin her around in a circle. Once her feet hit the ground she spun to see Cedric grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Cedric had managed to get his father to set up him coming back early. He had arrived by Floo. Hope had written to him about how horribly her vacation was going and so he came back early.  Hope had her hand on her chest as her heart pounded. She swatted at him and then laughed.

“Sorry Love, couldn’t help myself.”

“You didn’t have to come back early. I feel bad that I pulled you away from your parents early.”

“Are you kidding? It was my mom’s idea. She’s absolutely smitten with you.” Hope rolled her eyes.

“She doesn’t even know me.”

“She knows you like I know you. She can’t wait to meet you.”

“Well now she’s going to be disappointed when she actually meets me. I’m sure you exaggerated.”

“Well, then so did Arthur Weasley when he told my father how wonderful you are.” Hope groaned. He put his hand on her cheek and kissed her lightly. “I missed you.”

“It’s only been a week and a half.” She joked. “I missed you too. It’s been kind of awful.”

“It sounded so from your letter.”

“And I down played it.”

“What’s the matter?” He studied her face.

“What do you mean?”

“I can tell by your eyes. You have the same look that you did when you told me about your dad.” He watched Hope look around nervously. She grabbed him by the hand and dragged him over to their window. Cedric sat down and watched her pace for a few moments. “Hope, you’re making me dizzy.” She sighed and reached into the front pocket of her hoodie and handed him the ring, the note and the photo. He scrunched his brow at the ring after he examined it for a moment. He looked at the photo and then she watched as his eyes went wide and he looked up at her. She was pacing again. 

“Have you shown this to anyone else?” She shook her head no and continued pacing. On her way back in front of him he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him and sat her on his lap. “I take that as a no.”

“I needed some time to process and then by the time I was ready the whole thing with Harry’s new broom happened. And then I was afraid they would take the ring, and it was my mother’s.” Cedric rested his chin on her shoulder.

“I understand. Not even your Uncle?”

“He would go mental. I can’t. I can’t do that to him. Plus I don’t want to fight with him.”

“I understand.”

“There’s more…”

“Hope you’re killing me.” She reached back into her and pulled out another card. Cedric read it out loud.

“Merry Christmas Sweetheart” Cedric read aloud. “Well if it wasn’t in the same handwriting I would be jealous. Did it come with a gift?”

“A really beautiful cashmere sweater. It’s this bluish-purple. It fits perfectly. I lied and said it was from you by the way.”

“Hope…”

“I know, I know. I don’t know how he was able to buy anything or get his hands on the ring or get it into my dorm. I just..”

“It’s all you have from your father. I understand. You’ve been holding this in for almost two weeks so you’ve had plenty of time to over think and brew.” She leaned her head against his and took all of the items and shoved them back into the front pocket of her hoodie.

“Like a strong cup of coffee.”

“Your favorite.” Hope smiled.

“My favorite. I’m really glad you’re here. I can’t take any more time in the library with Hermione.” He chucked.

“She’s pretty intense.”

“She is. And with how upset she is, it’s even worse. I can’t take the fighting between them. And I refuse to share my opinion. It’s been awful. Kiss me?” He laughed and pressed his lips against hers. They jumped apart when they heard a throat clear. Her Uncle was smiling at the two of them.

“I was hoping you would be together.”

“Hi Uncle Remus. What’s going on?” Hope felt her cheeks blazing and Cedric looked like he was going to throw up.

“Well I heard that Cedric came back a little early. I was hoping the two of you would join me for dinner tomorrow. I figured it might be nice to get together before everyone else comes back from break.”

“That, that would be great, sir.” Cedric stuttered over his words.

“Oh Cedric I don’t think we need to be so formal.” Remus mused. Hope held in a laugh. “Tomorrow at 6pm in my office?”

“That sounds great Uncle Remus.” He nodded.

“Well…carry on.” He gave Hope an amused look before he turned to leave.

Hope sat down on the windowsill and started laughing. Cedric crossed his arms in front of himself. “Sir?!” Hope continued to laugh.

“I was trying to be respectful.”

“I’m pretty sure that Professor would have been just as respectful.” Cedric’s face turned crimson. “I’m just teasing. It’s just, it’s my Uncle. He would be perfectly happy with you calling him Remus. It’s how he is.”

“Yeah…well…” Cedric huffed.

“Don’t be mad…I really needed that laugh. I mean I suppose it’s only fair for the way you scared me when you got here.”

“Okay truce. So…feel like breaking some rules?” Hope raised her eyebrows. 

“Well…no one from Hufflepuff stayed behind for the holidays. I was thinking I could sneak you in so we could exchange gifts and be alone?”

“Why Mr. Diggory I am SHOCKED.” Hope made a mock gasp. “I’ll go get your gift and meet you outside of your common room?”

“Sounds like a plan.” He grinned.

Hope rushed down the steps of her dormitory, Cedric’s gifts in hand. She was happy to see Harry and Ron playing chess.

“Harry!” Hope exclaimed. Both he and Ron jumped.

“Surprised you’re not in the Library with Hermione.” Ron snarked. Hope rolled her eyes.

“Don’t start Ronald. I’m not picking sides in this stupid fight.” Ron scoffed.

“Could have fooled me. You’ve been avoiding us and spending all of your time with Hermione. And it’s not stupid.” He argued. Hope felt the anger in her bubbling beneath the surface.

“So I should what? Leave her by herself all break. You know, I expect this from you Ron. But not from you.” She gave Harry a pointed look. Ron started to protest, but Hope continued her tirade over him. “She stayed here for you, Harry. She could have been on Holiday with her family. And while I don’t agree with how she handled it, she’s not wrong. There could be something wrong with that broom. We watched you almost fall to your death in your last match. The two of you are so blinded by Quidditch and winning you don’t care what you risk. You’re being childish. The pair of you. Though I’m sure you’ll be over it by the time you need her help with lessons.” 

Hope turned on her heel. She had planned to ask Harry to borrow the Marauders Map, but she didn’t want anything from him. She was satisfied with how ashamed Harry looked.

“Wait where are you going?” Ron called. Hope stopped and turned back.

“Cedric came back early when he heard how miserable this break has been. I’m going to spend the evening with him.” And with that, she stalked out of the portrait hole. She wasn’t paying attention and walked right into Cedric. His strong hands gripped her so she didn’t fall.

“Easy Hope.” Cedric slowly removed his hands from her.

“I thought I was meeting you outside of the common room?” She felt out of breath.

"I got worried when you didn't turn up." She gave him a sheepish look.

"My temper got the best of me again." He quirked an eyebrow. "Harry and Ron...Ron made some stupid comment about Hermione and I kind of yelled at both of them. Like I get it, I really do. But we watched Harry almost die...if there's something wrong with that broom-" Cedric cut her off.

"Hope, you're a very good friend." He smiled. He put his arm around her. 

"C'mon...let's sneak you in." Hope looked back towards her Common Room. 

She really had to get a grip on her temper. She and Cedric walked through the corridors and past the Hogwarts Kitchen. For most of the students being gone, there was still wonderful smells coming from the House Elves inside. She knew that Fred and George had a way in there, she needed to ask them how, she wanted to visit the elves and thank them for their kindness before the start of term. Hope was barely paying attention as Cedric tapped on one of the barrels a handful of times. Her attention was grabbed when the barrels opened up to the Hufflepuff Common Room. As much as Hope loved her own Common Room, this one was also beautiful.

The bright yellow and black were a wonderful contrast and the highly polished, honey colored wood shone. True to Professor Sprout, there were colorful plants and flowers all over the common room. There were a handful of Cacti on wooden curved shelves. Plant holders dangled as ferns and ivies brushed as you passed underneath them. Over the Mantelpiece that was decorated with carved badgers was a portrait of Helga Hufflepuff.

"Cedric...this is incredible." Hope was awestruck as she looked around. He seemed pleased at how much she loved the common room.

“Come sit.” He led her over to one of the couches. She looked uneasy. “What’s wrong?”

“Just- what if Professor Sprout comes in here? Students from other houses aren’t supposed to be in common rooms that aren’t there’s!” Hope’s hand flew over her my. “I’ve been spending too much time with Hermione. She just came out of my mouth.” Cedric laughed.

“Relax. Professor Sprout doesn’t come in here unless there is an emergency.” “I think the only time I’ve seen Professor McGonagall in ours was when I was here before term.”

“Okay, open your present.” He handed her a small square box. She pulled the ribbon off and opened the box. Inside was a silver bracelet with stars. “I thought it would remind you of the Astronomy Tower. Why are you laughing?” Hope handed him his gifts. Cedric gave her a quizzical look and opened the drawing of the Astronomy Tower.

“Great minds and all.” Cedric grinned.

“Hope, this is gorgeous. I can’t wait to hang it up.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“I thought you might think it was lame. So I got you this too.” She handed him the sweater. He set the wrapped gift down.

“Hope- this is all I need. This is perfect. I could never think a piece of art you made was lame.” Hope rolled her eyes.

“You’re trying a little too hard.”

“Do you want to come with me while I hang it on my wall?” Hope grabbed his face and kissed him. “I thought we were arguing?” He laughed.

“I’m going to have you watch Ron and Hermione and see what arguing is really is. C’mon, open the other present. I picked it out specifically for you.” She waved at his other gift. He opened the sweater and she held it up to him. It had just the affect on his eyes as she suspected. “Perfect.” He put his arm around her and pulled her into his side.

“You’re very good at pretending to be okay, you know.”

“I am okay.”

“Hope.”

“Okay…I’m freaking out. I just…I just want…” She pulled away and put her face in her hands.

“You just what Lupes?”

“I just want to see him. And talk to him, just once. I have so many questions. And is it so bad that I just want my father to hug me, once, so that I can remember? And that makes me so traitorous. My Uncle has given up his entire life for me. And here I am longing for someone else when he was the best father anyone could ever ask for.”

“Oh Hope…” He wiped the tears from her face. “You are NOT a traitor for wanting to know your father. That doesn’t take anything away from how much you love your Uncle or appreciate him. Hope, he loves Hope. He didn’t sacrifice his life for you. He made room in his life for you. You made his life more full.”

“You couldn’t possibly know that.”

“Yes I could because he told me.”

“Wait…what?”

“Well, after I found out about your birthday I went to see him. I asked him about the pumpkin thing. He told me. And we got talking…and he wanted to know more about me since we were getting closer. And so we spoke for a while after I sent the owl to my mother to send me everything for your birthday. You act like he did this huge favor by taking care of you…but he needed you as much as you needed him. You were all be had left. You saved him as much as he saved you.” Hope started crying harder. “What? What did I say.”

“I’m horrible. I promised him I wouldn’t.”

“Hope…what are you talking about?” Cedric had no idea what she was talking about.

“Well…no ones been around because of the holidays so I figured no one would notice. And I knew he had to be close…the gifts and all…”

“Hope…I need you to say more words that make sense.” Cedric watched as Hope unraveled before his eyes.

“I wrote a letter to my father.”

Sirius was surprised as a black tiny owl bounced around in front of him. The letter attached was addressed to him. He didn’t know who in their right mind would send him an owl. He could wish that Remus would realize that Sirius would never had betrayed James. He needed to get his hands on that rat. He tried to push down the bitterness, but it was too hard. He pulled the letter off and saw his name written in impeccable handwriting. If he didn’t know any better, he would think it was from Evanora. His Nora. He would never get over losing her and God help the Death Eater that snuffed out that bright light. Sirius took a deep breath and opened it.

Dad…Sirius…I don’t know what to call you. All I know, is that for as long as I can remember, I just wanted a Daddy. Uncle Remus has taken amazing care of me. He…he’s been everything, so please don’t worry. As much as I have missed your presence and my mother’s presence, I’ve been so incredibly loved. I want you to know that. I’m like mom. I know she told you I would be. I, am not as successful as she was, I’m hoping Professor Dumbledore will able to help me. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that since you escaped that I’ve seen nothing but darkness. After everything I’ve heard…I just have this feeling in my gut that you’re not what the say. That you didn’t betray us. I have felt your frustration, your anger and your sadness. I know that this is you. Thank you for your gift, it means more to me than anything and I will cherish the  pictures of us always. Dumbledore gave me one of Mom and Remus and then a group shot of the three of us with Lily, James and Harry. Harry and I have become great friends. I guess the only thing I can ask is that you don’t hurt Harry. I’m begging you not to. If I can help you clear your name, just say the word. I know that it’s been over a decade and I don’t remember you, but deep down I know how much you loved me and I love you. I will always love you. Please take care of yourself. I’m worried that you’re on your own. 

All of my love-Hope

Sirius felt tears in his eyes. Some of happiness and some sadness that he had missed out on Hope growing up. It didn’t matter what he had to do, he would prove his innocence so he, Harry and Remus could be their oven version of a family. He held the letter to his chest. All he wanted was to know his daughter and for her, Remus and Harry to know he was innocent. That was all that mattered. He knew he had to find a way to get to Hope.

[narrativelysignificantturtleduck]

not to talk about harry potter in the year 2023 but i think maybe the reason i'm enjoying iroh so much is because he's a much better version of "eccentric old man is actually super powerful and masterminding everything to make sure a hero fulfills his destiny". like the reveal that dumbledore's a mastermind kinda shatters the illusion of him as this kindly old grandpa bc we find out he's guiding harry along a path to death, but finding out about iroh doesn't shatter anything because guiding zuko towards his destiny is mostly about getting him free from his abuser. dumbledore did jack shit on that front wrt harry so it really comes across like harry was just a pawn to him, while iroh genuinely cares about zuko.

and maybe that's also why people don't realize iroh has an agenda - he doesn't seem like a cold calculating mastermind when his agenda is about helping his nephew. like obviously getting zuko free is about making sure he helps end the war and ensuring there's a non-shitty member of the royal family to take the throne but in practice it's mostly just iroh looking out for zuko's well-being, which is genuine and doesn't come off as manipulative at all

[acciomanorian]

Hi I’m going to need everyone to appreciate the above art by @blackslupin and the headcanon below that followed. Of course this is completely canon and totally happened. (Tw: death)

- Dumbledore and Gandalf met when then they were lads at Hogwarts.

- They met Iroh on a tour through the bending continents.

- They all became best friends and partners in crime.

- Dumbledore had a dark side that only his friends were privy to.

- One week before Halloween 1981, Dumbledore, Gandolf, and Iroh got together to plot. They knew about the prophecy given by Sybil Trelawney, and were determined to raise the best wizard of all time.

- Through careful comments given by Iroh to Sirius Black, the trio convinced Black to make Peter Pettigrew the Secret Keeper for James and Lily Potter, thus driving him to tell Voldemort who then killed James and Lily.

- In their plotting, Gandalf decided that the best way to keep Harry on Dumbledore’s side was by leaving him with the awful muggle relatives. Iroh, ever the sympathetic uncle, kept an eye on Harry in the form of Arabella Figg, the crazy neighbor.

- Dumbledore successfully petitioned to not have a trial for Sirius Black, knowing that he would fight for his godson, which in turn would open Harry’s eyes to the wizarding world and therefore to everything that Dumbledore and his friends were doing. Thus, he sent Sirius to his unjust imprisonment.

- Fast forward through the years. Everything that happens to Harry and Ron and Hermione is caused by the plans and contributions of Dumbledore, Gandalf, and Iroh. Iroh isn’t half as bad, since he’s mostly concerned about the tea (both physical and metaphorical).

- During Harry’s fifth year, he is sent a dream, and he thinks it’s Voldemort, but it’s actually Gandalf who sends the vision. You see, Dumbledore has gotten jealous of the relationship Harry has gotten to with a newly released Sirius Black, and knowns that Harry needs a vibe check in knowing who to trust.

- When everything goes down in the Department of Mysteries, it is actually Gandalf who uses the Killing Curse of Sirius, this ending his life.

- But Gandalf, being the gay wizard he is, when he sent Sirius through the veil, actually brought him back to life.

- Sirius was sent to a country cottage, where he found waiting for him his lifelong best friend, boyfriend, and now husband where they lived happily ever after.

- Harry grew suspicious of Dumbledore with how he acted after the death of Sirius and began to distrust him. During his sixth year, Harry got closer to Draco Malfoy, his supposed enemy (but only because of Iroh needing some tea) and they became friends, who eventually overcame the blight that was Albus Dumbledore.

- After the war, Gandalf redeems himself and shows Harry (and his boyfriend Draco) that in fact, Sirius and Remus are safe and happy and alive.