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carewyncromwell · 3 years

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[Ficlet] Gonna Hit Rewind

Hi guys! So this is a little drabble inspired by a prompt by my friend @drinkyoursoupbitch, where I show what my MC, Carewyn Cromwell, was up to during a certain scene in the Harry Potter series!

Before we begin, just a couple of notes --

Post-Hogwarts, Carewyn becomes a lawyer for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement -- you can read more about her life as an adult here, if you’d like! When it comes to the Order of the Phoenix, Carey-Bear doesn’t formally join, instead providing covert assistance while staying autonomous from Dumbledore (who she doesn’t really like as a person) and looking “subservient” to Fudge’s wishes. Later on, this becomes very useful after the Death Eaters take over the Ministry in 1997: when the Battle of Hogwarts begins, Carewyn actually helps take back the Ministry by placing Umbridge under citizen’s arrest and temporarily taking charge until Kingsley Shacklebolt is officially appointed Minister. Carewyn’s outfit in the sketch enclosed below is inspired by this design. Musical accompaniment for this ficlet were “Leave Me Alone” by Michael Jackson (for Carewyn’s conversation with that...certain family member in the aforementioned sketch) and “Turn Back Time” by Derivakat (which inspired the title of this drabble!). And in regards to Carewyn’s negative attitude toward Time Turners...that is 110% my mother talking. When we read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child together, she absolutely hated that it involved time travel, as she found the whole idea ridiculously confusing and illogical. (The whole climax of Prisoner of Azkaban was even her least favorite aspect of the original Potter books. 😂)

Hope you enjoy -- and much love, Soup dear! xoxo

x~x~x~x

“Down here, down here,” panted Mr. Weasley, taking two steps at a time. “The lift doesn’t even come down this far…why they’re doing it there…”

They reached the bottom of the steps and ran along yet another corridor, which bore a great resemblance to that which led to Snape’s dungeon at Hogwarts, with rough stone walls and torches in brackets. The doors they passed here were heavy wooden ones with iron bolts and keyholes.

“Courtroom…Ten…I think…we’re nearly … yes.”

As Arthur Weasley rushed down the hall toward Courtroom Ten, he was unaware that in Courtroom Seven, the door of which was left slightly ajar, Carewyn Cromwell was speaking to her estranged uncle, the new head of the Cromwell Clan, at that very moment, nor that their conversation would ultimately determine Harry’s fate in that courtroom happening just three doors down.

“You’re not supposed to be here, Blaise, and you know that full well.”

“I merely wished to speak with the Minister, little Winnie -- you are aware of how much our family still supports the Ministry and, by extension, your career, are you not?”

Carewyn fixed Blaise with a very cold blue eye. “And I suppose Lucius Malfoy speaking with the Minister down here mere moments ago had nothing to do with you making an unscheduled visit?”

Blaise cocked his eyebrows, his identically colored and shaped eyes narrowing under them.

“I can sense you trying to enter my mind, Winnie,” he said very softly, his eyes rippling like light blue flames despite the hardness of his face. “It won’t work. You couldn’t reach my thoughts when you were a girl, and you can’t reach them now.”

His voice became cooler, to the point of sounding condescending.

“Whatever questions you have, you know your uncle would be more than willing to answer them, if you merely ask nicely.”

‘Answer’ -- ha! Carewyn thought to herself scornfully. Lie your face off, more like. But even so...if I’m going to get what I need, I need to keep him talking...

Carewyn went very quiet, considering Blaise carefully and her next words even more so.

“...Are you or are you not associating with Lucius Malfoy?” she asked softly.

“You might recall that he and Father were business associates back in the day.”

“Of course I do. That’s why I’m asking. Or have you forgotten where Grandfather’s activities sentenced him -- where they sentenced you, until you were able to bribe the Minister to reduce the rest of your family’s sentences?”

“Our family, little Winnie,” Blaise corrected her, a notable, fiery edge to his voice.

You all may be related to me by blood, but you are not my family, Carewyn thought fiercely, but she once again bit her tongue. If she provoked his temper the way she was tempted to, he’d be less likely to talk to her.

When she didn’t respond, Blaise continued.

“Lucius Malfoy has always had a working relationship with the Cromwell Clan. It’s only natural that we speak from time to time, as two patriarchs of prominent magical families.”

“Magical families with certain reputations, you mean,” Carewyn said very coolly.

“Cornelius Fudge thinks very highly of Lucius Malfoy.”

“And of you, thanks to your impressive acting. But that doesn’t extend to everyone else, and you know it.”

“Of course,” said Blaise with a very cool smirk. “That’s something we have in common, isn’t it, Winnie? Putting on a charming face to get what we want, and not caring who hates us for it?”

Carewyn didn’t care enough to argue this point -- she’d already had this sort of discussion with Rakepick several times back in the day, and she knew that it meant Blaise was not only trying to divert the conversation, but also was absolutely full of it.

You’re acting like this fact makes us just as bad as each other, Blaise, but it doesn’t. Even if we have some similarities in our methods, that does not make us the same. I’ve never terrorized people to try to advance myself. I’ve never manipulated or forced anyone to join a criminal organization. I’ve never masqueraded as my nephew in order to try to manipulate my niece into selling her soul and her freedom just to save him. However much I’m not perfect, I’m head-and-shoulders above you, when it comes to the moral high ground.

But honestly, there was no point in arguing with people like Blaise. It wasn’t like she’d ever convince him that everything he thought was wrong -- that Muggles weren’t inferior, Charles Cromwell was an abusive monster, and everything he and the Cromwell Clan did to try to get Carewyn, Jacob, and Lane back under their control was reprehensible rather than justified -- and she didn’t feel enough passion to try. Especially not when there were more important things happening at that very moment...

Harry would be in the courtroom by now. She had to hurry.

Although Carewyn tried to keep her face stoic, her brain was working very fast. Her eyes drifted away, off toward the far wall of the courtroom where the Wizengamot benches were lined up.

“...Look,” she said slowly, her voice becoming a little softer, “my Legilimency has become very sensitive, in this line of work. It allows me to read people’s intentions and feelings very quickly, even when I’m not actively trying to. And Lucius Malfoy...he doesn’t see you as an equal, but as a pawn.”

Blaise’s eyebrows came down over his eyes, but he didn’t respond.

“You and the rest of the Cromwell Clan only got out of Azkaban because you were able to appeal to Fudge,” said Carewyn, “but if you’re associating with the wrong people, that could very quickly sour. Your position will become uncertain again, and you won’t be able to protect them -- especially if Fudge gets the kind of control over the Wizengamot that he wants...where charges and judgments are laid down based on favoritism more than legality. We’re already seeing it with how Fudge is now treating Dumbledore and Potter, after how much he always sucked up to them. End up outside of Fudge’s good graces, as they did, and the same might befall you. I realize that you and Malfoy...”

Are Muggle-hating bigots.

“...have similar politics,” she said at last very stiffly, “...but Lucius Malfoy’s politics are far more extreme than yours, and although the courts decided there wasn’t enough evidence to prove his methods were also...we both know that’s also true. If he falls, he will drag you down with him -- and if you take the fall for his actions, he won’t lift a finger to help you.”

Carewyn forced herself to look Blaise in the eye.

“Grandfather’s dealings with R got you all in enough trouble. You bought yourself and the rest of...our family a second chance -- something many others did not get. Are you sure you want to endanger that?”

Blaise considered Carewyn very carefully as she spoke, his blue eyes boring into hers critically. By the end, they’d actually widened.

“...Are you actually expressing concern for us, Winnie?” he asked very lowly.

Carewyn scoffed. “Don’t misunderstand me, Blaise -- I don’t really think you all deserved a second chance in the first place, after everything you’ve pulled.”

Her blue eyes became a bit more solemn.

“But truthfully...I’m not that upset that you were released from Azkaban. Dementors...they’re wretched creatures. I’ve seen what they can do to people.”

Her expression darkened.

“...I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, however terrible they are.”

Something confused and almost disgusted rippled over Blaise’s face, making his nose wrinkle.

“Ugh -- and here I’d thought you’d actually weeded out that weakness in your heart...”

Carewyn’s red lips came together tightly, but she didn’t reply. The two stared each other down for a moment, before Blaise finally exhaled.

“Very well, Winnie -- you want to know why I’m down here?”

He reached into his scarlet robes and pulled out a gold chain, on the end of which dangled a tiny gold hourglass.

A Time Turner.

Carewyn’s eyes narrowed upon it.

“Lucius Malfoy has expressed quite a bit of interest in my old department, when we’ve spoken,” murmured Blaise. “One sub-section in particular -- one where records of magical predictions are kept.”

Carewyn’s eyebrows furrowed. “Prophecies?”

“They are truly a fascinating thing,” said Blaise, his voice sounding rather airy. “So much value is placed on them -- too much, one could argue...just as one puts too much value on all attempts at ‘future sight.’ Alas, the section of my old department that Malfoy was interested in was not my area of expertise -- my area was in the study of Time, specifically backwards-facing. We did occasionally dip into the study of forward-facing time magic, but more in the sphere of inevitabilities -- things that evolve naturally in nature, every season -- not human affairs. Unfortunately when I was there, there was an employee monitoring the perimeter of the section I meant to enter -- I couldn’t have explored further even if I’d wanted to.”

“So Malfoy wanted you to stop by your old desk and pick up something that might help him or someone else enter the Department of Mysteries?” Carewyn asked. “Why?”

Blaise shrugged. “He didn’t say.”

“And yet you have a suspicion as to why?”

Blaise’s eyes narrowed upon Carewyn’s face, not angrily, but almost darkly.

“I may no longer work for the Department of Mysteries, Winnie, but I cannot discuss the more classified branches of their work too deeply. That is part of the Vow I made when I first joined the Department -- it forces me to speak in hypotheticals and vague descriptions more than specific details. But I fear no random stooge using this tool to try to enter my old department, whether Malfoy or otherwise. In fact,” he added with a smirk, “I would frankly love to see them try.”

He ignored Carewyn’s critical, confused expression and pressed on more seriously.

“You’re not a stupid girl, Winnie. I know you know what’s really going on, under the surface. Me offering assistance to Lucius Malfoy early on is merely how I intend to earn enough favor to keep my family safe, should the worst happen.”

“And what is that?” asked Carewyn.

Blaise cocked his eyebrows again. “Ask your mother. She remembers the First Wizarding War just as well as I do -- how it all started before.”

He turned on his heel and headed for the door.

“Blaise.”

Carewyn speaking his name and sharply grabbing his arm holding the Time Turner made him stop.

“If you wish to provide Lucius Malfoy useful information,” she said lowly, “you can tell him that that employee was not there by accident.”

Blaise looked back over his shoulder, startled. Carewyn closed her eyes tight, trying to block out the intense nausea rippling over her.

“He’s there to make sure Malfoy’s superior can’t reach what he wants,” she murmured. “There are many more, just like him, all with the same goal. It doesn’t matter when you go there -- there will always be someone there who will keep him away from what he wants.”

Blaise stared at Carewyn, his eyes narrowing in bewilderment.

“...Why are you telling me this?” he whispered.

Carewyn swallowed back the lump in her throat.

“I haven’t worked with time magic like you have...but people aren’t supposed to be in two places at once. That I do know. A lot of problems have been caused by people trying to mess with time. Mum told me that once in the 19th century, a whole bunch of people’s lives were erased out of existence, all because someone messed around with a Time Turner...”

“Ah, yes, Eloise Mintumble,” said Blaise, sounding as darkly amused as a bully might upon seeing one of their usual targets wearing a particularly obnoxious dress. “Tried to go back more than a few hours and ended up changing things so dramatically that she both erased 25 people out of existence and aged her body five centuries and died upon return trip. A rather fascinating case study.”

“You’re disgusting,” Carewyn said coldly. But she got back to the task at hand, her voice hardening. “Even if Malfoy couldn’t get what his master wants from the Department of Mysteries with that Time Turner, he could still do irreparable damage with it. If all Malfoy needs is assistance, to believe that you’re helping him and for you to earn enough esteem that the Cromwell Clan stays safe...then give him the intelligence I’ve given you. Don’t give him that Time Turner.”

Blaise raised an eyebrow, his lips spreading into a rather condescending smirk. “Why? Because it’s wrong, little Winnie? Because it’s illegal and immoral, and ‘not the right thing to do?’”

“I’m not foolish enough to appeal to you with morality, Blaise -- I know you don’t have any,” spat Carewyn. “I’m asking you not to do it for your own self-preservation. For the Clan’s. ...For your family’s.”

Blaise’s smirk actually slid off his face. Carewyn held his gaze as best as she could, even with how ill she felt.

“I may not be one of those who takes turns standing watch in your old department,” Carewyn said very softly, “but Jacob is.”

Blaise’s face went rather white, and Carewyn knew she’d struck a cord. For as cruel, selfish, and immoral of a person as Blaise was, he still saw his family -- all of it -- like his personal belongings. And he “took care” of his belongings. He wanted complete control over them and, like Charles before him, he never respected them as people, nurtured them, or gave them any freedom...but Blaise didn’t want anyone touching “his things.”

The older man’s jaw clenched as a rather dark glint flashed through his eyes.

“...I see.”

His teeth still bared, he extended the hand holding the Time Turner’s gold chain and, very slowly, lowered it into Carewyn’s hand.

Carewyn’s eyes softened in relief.

“Thank you.”

Blaise exhaled heatedly through his nose.

“Jacob always was a fool,” he growled, his voice full of resentment. “Risking his life for people like that Muggle filth who abandoned you and your mother -- ”

“Better than selling his soul and freedom to serve the person who locked my mother and all of you up like prisoners,” Carewyn shot back rather coolly.

Blaise’s eyes flashed angrily. “You will not speak ill of your grandfather, Winnie! Everything he ever did in his life was for us, including you, your brother, and your mother, and I will not have you forgetting that!”

“Crow that lie as much as you want -- it won’t ever make it true.”

Blaise seethed as Carewyn pocketed the Time Turner in her robes. Slowly, his temper cooled enough that his lips spread back out into a rather vindictive smirk.

“For the record, Winnie...Time moves in a loop. If Lucius Malfoy were to use the Time Turner after I give it to him a half-hour from now, the effects would’ve already been felt by us by now. We would have heard about someone having broken into the Department of Mysteries before our conversation even started. The fact that we are not hearing that means that he never receives the Time Turner from me. So, in fact, it was already clear that I would give you the Time Turner before I actually did -- ”

“Oh, shut your trap,” Carewyn said tiredly. Just listening to Blaise wax on was giving her a headache. “I don’t even want to try unpacking all that time travel rubbish. All I care about is that Malfoy and his ilk can’t try to mess with time, now or ever.”

She turned on her heel and strode for the slightly ajar door. Pushing it further open, she then looked back over her shoulder at Blaise.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some business to take care of. Stay out of trouble, or I will not hesitate to prosecute you.”

Blaise’s eyes were very cold even around his smirk. “If there’s anyone who should be warned to stay out of trouble, it’s you, Winnie. I’m not the only one who’s aligned themselves with people who could drag them down, if they fall.”

“Perhaps,” said Carewyn mildly. “But my friends will catch me if I fall, just as they have before. Just like I always catch them. That makes all the difference.”

She walked away, her heels clapping against the black tiled floor as she strode to the end of the hall, listening at the door of Courtroom Ten. She could hear several voices talking inside -- after a moment, she recognized two as Amelia Bones and Cornelius Fudge.

“...certainly described the effects of a dementor attack very accurately. And I can’t imagine why she would say they were there if they weren’t -- ”

“But dementors wandering into a Muggle suburb and just happening to come across a wizard! The odds on that must be very, very long, even Bagman wouldn’t have bet -- ”

“Oh, I don’t think any of us believe the dementors were there by coincidence,” said a very misty, serene voice from inside the Courtroom.

Carewyn’s shoulders relaxed, even as her eyes rolled up toward the ceiling.

Dumbledore. He’d made it in time.

Exhaling heavily, Carewyn quickly turned back around and walked briskly back down the hallway, back upstairs toward her office. On the way, she walked by Blaise, who was now deep in quiet conversation with Lucius Malfoy, and Carewyn and Malfoy coldly stared each other down as she passed.

x~x~x~x

Carewyn hated keeping the Time Turner in her desk. She wanted to be rid of the thing immediately, but she knew she had to be patient.

Around 11:00, just before lunchtime, Carewyn asked to borrow a Dungbomb from Tonks and covertly dropped off it just outside the Auror Department on her way back to her tiny office. The resulting smell resulted in the entire floor clearing out, until someone could deal with the smell. Carewyn herself, however, stayed in her office and powered through, spraying some Muggle air freshener to try to mask the smell.

I forgot how much I hate Dungbombs, Carewyn thought dully. Oh well...desperate times call for desperate measures, I guess.

Keeping the files on a case she was working on open on either side of her, Carewyn read through them every-so-often as she pecked away at a letter she had to write. This letter had to be concise and to the point, if its recipient was going to know it was safe and exactly what she had to do, to help keep Harry Potter from getting unjustly expelled.

Right on time, three hours after Harry’s hearing, Carewyn’s Legilimency picked up the feeling that someone was approaching her office. A moment later, there was a knock on her door.

The ginger-haired lawyer exhaled heavily, her eyebrows knitting together.

“Come in,” she said.

Although she kept her voice level, she already felt a headache coming on. She knew who was on the other side of that door -- and sure enough, when it opened, in came tall, silver-bearded Albus Dumbledore, dressed in long midnight-blue robes.

Carewyn’s eyes hardened as the Hogwarts Headmaster closed the door behind him.

“Hello, Carewyn,” Dumbledore said pleasantly.

“You got my message from Tonks, then?” Carewyn asked.

“To come straight to your office as soon as I arrived, but to not let anyone see me entering? Yes. Though I daresay the evacuation of this floor thanks to the smell of Dungbombs helped with that considerably,” said Dumbledore, and his light blue eyes twinkled. “I presume it has something to do with why some members of the Wizengamot were asking what I was doing back here so soon, and why Cornelius looked even more sour at my presence than usual.”

Carewyn’s face was twisted in a deep frown as she finally took the Time Turner out of the drawer and put it on top of her desk.

“The time and place of Harry’s hearing was changed three hours ago, with no notice,” she said stridently. “The hearing originally scheduled for 11 o’clock instead was moved to 8 o’clock at 7:58 this morning. The letter was sent by owl to Privet Drive at 7:59, right before a second letter informing Harry that because he didn’t show up for his hearing, he was presumed guilty and therefore expelled from Hogwarts. Both letters arrived at 8:52. The Order wasn’t informed of the change until a little after 9, but was also informed by Arthur Weasley that you’d had the matter well in hand and had arrived miraculously early.”

“And so they felt no need to send me any post regarding the matter,” presumed Dumbledore with a dewy smile. “But in order for all of that to have happened, I will have to go back and ensure it does happen -- isn’t that so?”

Carewyn nodded curtly as she handed the Time Turner and a sealed envelope to Dumbledore.

“Three turns back should be enough -- you don’t want to risk changing too much, by arriving too early, and I have a closed-door meeting with Chester Davies prior to that. Give this letter to me as soon as you arrive in the past. As soon as she...escorts you out, head straight for Courtroom Ten. You should arrive just after Harry does -- it shouldn’t raise as much suspicion if you make it to the courtroom after Harry, since he was already in Arthur’s office when he first received word of the change...”

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with some mischief. “Clever as always, Carewyn, my dear. You do the Order very proud.”

Carewyn’s eyes flashed. “I’m not doing this for you or your ‘Order,’ Dumbledore, as you know full well. Jacob was completely at R’s mercy after he was expelled from Hogwarts, and I don’t want to even think about where Potter might end up, if the same thing happened to him. And if Jacob’s guarding something in the Department of Mysteries, I don’t want to make it any easier for You-Know-Who and his goons to get the drop on him.”

Dumbledore’s calm didn’t shift, though his eyes did turn a bit more solemn. “And as always, Carewyn, your cleverness is only rivaled by your caring for others.”

Rising to his feet, the Headmaster tucked the envelope inside his robes and then picked up the Time Turner.

“I’ll be seeing you,” he said cheerily, “or, should I say, ‘I will have seen you?’”

And with three turns, he’d disappeared.

Carewyn gave an exhausted, groan-like sigh.

“I hate Time Turners,” she muttered to herself.

x~x~x~x

When Dumbledore appeared in Carewyn’s office out of the blue at 8 o’clock that morning, the ginger-haired lawyer reacted with a lot of irritation and suspicion. Those feelings weren’t helped when Dumbledore handed her the letter addressed to her, and yet written in a hand identical to hers.

Carewyn,

First of all, yes, I know you recognize this handwriting. This isn’t a trick -- it’s just the work of a Time Turner: specifically the one Dumbledore’s holding. On that note, ask him to hand it over and then smash it. We have more than enough problems in the here and now: no sense in adding more time travel rubbish to the pile.

Now that that’s been taken care of, let’s get to business --

The time and place of Harry’s hearing was moved just a minute ago. It now starts at 8 o’clock in the morning in Courtroom Ten. Don’t worry, Arthur’s already been notified and is ferrying Harry as we speak, but Dumbledore needs to get down there right now. Kick him out of your office, nice and loudly -- there are people outside who could overhear, and you don’t want anyone to think you and Dumbledore are on good terms. Which, fortunately, you’re not.

Now that Dumbledore’s out of your hair, let’s go over what you need to do --

Blaise has sneaked into the Ministry, specifically the bottommost floor near the Department of Mysteries, on Lucius Malfoy’s direction. No, Blaise isn’t a Death Eater -- just short-sighted and self-serving as ever. The point is that he has a Time Turner on his person, which he cannot be allowed to walk away with, under any circumstances. You’ll be able to catch him leaving the Department of Mysteries if you go downstairs in the next fifteen minutes. He’ll be meeting Lucius Malfoy around 8:30, in the middle of Harry’s hearing, so don’t let him walk away without getting that Time Turner away from him. Don’t come at the issue straight-on, though -- you can appeal to Blaise to give it to you willingly. Just keep him talking. Once you have the Time Turner, you can hold onto it until Dumbledore arrives in your office at the time that was originally scheduled for Harry’s hearing, so he can use it to go back far enough to arrive at Harry’s hearing on time.

I know, this Time Travel stuff is absolutely bloody ridiculous. But at least this way Malfoy won’t be able to use the Time Turner Blaise stole to cause even more havoc.

Burn this letter as soon as you’re done reading it. We don’t want anyone coming across it.

Good luck.

As for Dumbledore himself, he arrived at Harry’s hearing right on time, all according to plan.

“Ah,” said Fudge, who looked thoroughly disconcerted. “Dumbledore. Yes. You --er -- got our -- er -- message that the time and -- er -- place of the hearing had been changed, then?”

“I must have missed it,” said Dumbledore cheerfully. “However, due to a lucky mistake I arrived at the Ministry three hours early, so no harm done.”

#hphm #hogwarts mystery #my writing #harry potter #fanfiction #carewyn cromwell #albus dumbledore #cornelius fudge #amelia bones #blaise cromwell #lucius malfoy #time turners #AHHHHHH #YES IT ALL COMES TOGETHER #this took a while to write but it was worth it #but yeah my mum loathes time travel stories #she's a scientist at heart so the illogicality of them just drives her crazy #jacob honestly doesn't like working with dumbledore any more than carewyn does but he does see 'the greater good' of it #so he ends up being a guard not just for the prophecy but also later on for people escaping the death eaters #he likewise just barely evades ministry scrutiny enough to be able to hide people during the War #yes carewyn's choice ultimately does lead to negative fall-out like bode getting imperiused and arthur getting attacked by nagini #which of course carey-bear deeply regrets #but at the same time how much more damage might she have prevented? we'll never know #sometimes in war you have to make bad choices to try to mitigate even worse consequences :(

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retvenkos · 4 years

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“you realize you have enough late fees to pay for this book twice over, right?”

requested

A MODERN! LIBRARY! AU WITH THE PEVENSIES? UMM... YES. THAT HAS TO GO LIKE THIS...

the pevensies first started frequenting the library after they came back from narnia

it was susan’s idea - none of them really knew this world anymore and so, maybe, if they read about it, things would come back to them and they’ll feel more comfortable in this place

edmund teased her, saying she just wanted to quiz him on the dictionary, again.

but, really, he liked the idea. he felt comfortable amongst the endless shelves, it was like he was in the libraries in cair paravel, again, and he was home

and even when they had adjusted to england and had no reason to go back, anymore, they kept going

it was routine at this point - the only time all of them were really together, talking about their lives and all that had happened

and as the years passed by, it felt like a home away from home - a place in england that was t h e i r s

they weren’t sure where they belonged, anymore, but the library was a good a place as any

peter found himself again in the stories of king arthur and the histories of battles and sacrifices - those things that lie heavy on the chests of anyone else.

he loves audio books and documentaries - things he can listen to. he loves to hear it - the interest in people’s voices, the sympathy, the words they use.

he has his headphones in 99.99% of the time, and lucy will sneak up on him to scare him.

he has been kicked out of the library several times, thanks lucy

and edmund? love of mysteries

he went through a sherlock holmes phase. susan watched sherlock with him and they would argue over theories

lucy told him once that he looked like benedict cumberbatch and it was single handedly the best compliment he had ever received (for the time, anyway).

he also got into a few of the classics

he read don quixote and loved it, don’t lie to yourself

he is also constantly checking out rosetta stones - edmund loves languages and you can pry that concept from my cold, dead hands

susan was able to distract herself with love stories, magazines, and other classics

jane austen? yep. susan loved her.

she would browse a lot, taking her time before deciding on anything

she also loved using the computers

she always has some passion to look up or another, and it was easier to use the computers to look something up than to search for a book.

when she knew what she wanted, susan went after it. when she wasn’t sure, she browsed.

lucy, on the other hand, loved ya fiction

the action? the romantic subplots? they were her obsession.

and sometimes susan would read one with lucy and they would talk about it, but no one ever found out. susan would rather die than tell edmund she was team edward

and no, i never read twilight but i have seen the films and susan was team edward i don’t make the rules

lucy also chronically checks out movies at the library and then forgets to take them back until a week after they’re due

and edmund will tell her it’s on netflix, she doesn’t need to check it out, but she says she likes a hard copy, sue her.

she eventually gets into comics, and she and edmund read them together

oh, i guess i should address when you come into the picture

so you work at the library and it doesn’t take you long until you have met the pevensies and have chatted with this chaotic but surprisingly functional family

they’re only in their mid twenties, but they have the dynamic of 40-50 year old siblings?

clearly i’m ignoring their fatal end because we only want fluff, here

all of your coworkers agree that they have those very specific vibes.

and you find these frequents odd and amusing - no one in their age bracket really comes to the library frequently, but this family is constantly here.

i mean, it’s great because their traction is much needed, but it’s just confusing.

the easiest pevensie to talk to is peter, if you ever catch him without his headphones in

he’s just super chummy with everyone he meets and when you first talk to him, he feels like an older brother

he has the c h a r i s m a

“you and your siblings come here, a lot.”

“yeah, there’s a lot of sentimental value, here. this place... it helped us find ourselves, once.”

“well, there’s not better way to know yourself than between pages. books have a way of changing your perspective.”

“but they can also help you erase who you once were.”

and you notice him looking at susan

so you not-so masterfully change the subject

“do you realize how many fines you have?”

but it works

“they’re edmund’s, trust me.”

the second easiest to talk to is lucy - peter may have a natural charisma, but lucy is just kind and pleasant to chat with

she’ll talk to you about anything and everything, even if she has zero idea what you’re talking about

but that’s kind of hard because the amount of collective knowledge the pevensie’s have is insane.

and lucy is definitely the sibling you can befriend the quickest, the gateway to the rest of the pevensies because you just feels so comfortable around her

she introduces you to susan and edmund, and you’re actually able to hit it off with them, too?

the pevensies are great at talking to strangers and i just,,, can they pLEASE teach me their ways???

it’s all those years of being kings and queen, talking to other diplomats, being generally sociable

anyway, you start to hang out with them outside of the library, too, after you’ve formed a bit of a friendship

and maybe you have a particular soft spot for edmund...

and the pevensies start to tell you more of their stories - those that happened to them when they were young, when they were kind of odd - like adults in a child’s body

and you can see susan stiffen with each subsequent story, and you think back to what peter said to you, once...

“but they can also help you erase who you once were”

and so you decide to talk about those stories with edmund, when the two of you are hanging out alone

and you not-so masterfully change the subject

“have any of you watched harry potter, recently? i get big harry potter vibes from all of your stories.”

and lucy and peter are vvv excited, because they used to read harry potter with each other and love it a whole lot

and later, edmund tells you about narnia, about susan not believing, and about where they are, now

coping

all of them

and you nod your head understandingly

“if you ever need me, you know where to find me.”

“yeah.”

“but wouldn’t it be wonderful if they were stories?”

“for others to read?”

“yeah - like story books.”

“yeah... that would be nice.”

and one night, when all of the pevensies are together and susan has gone to the bathroom, edmund tells his siblings about your idea. about writing about narnia... as though it were a story.

and susan hears through the door.

and maybe she puts her english major to use, writing down a story she tries desperately to believe isn’t real

AND FLUFF ENSUES.

-- taglist: @musicallisto, @babyplutoszx2, @locke-writes, @brokenandheadoverheels // message me if you want to be added to the taglist!

#chronicles of narnia #narnia #the pevensies #edmund pevensie #peter pevensie #susan pevensie #lucy pevensie #x reader #reader insert #x you #platonic #platonic!reader #imagine #would include #headcanons #fluff

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aci100 · 2 years

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Fire and Ice

Fifth-year AU: A rebellious streak burns inside Harry as Umbridge descends on Hogwarts. Its raging flames burn unchecked until it is met by another, opposing force of equal strength. Harry/Daphne Winter One-Shot

https://archiveofourown.org/works/35863489

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14008865/1/Fire-and-Ice

Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction based on the Harry Potter universe. All recognizable characters, plots, and settings are the exclusive property of J.K Rowling. I make no claim to ownership.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to my editor Athena Hope, as well as my other betas 3CP, Fezzik, Luq707, Raven, Regress, and Yoshi89 for their incredible work on this story.

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Dedication: This story is dedicated to my first ever Deity-level patron, ShadowWolf, as well as my first ever Primordial-level patron, Lillian. It is because of support like that which you two have given me that I hope to one day make writing a profitable full-time career. I will never be able to repay such generosity, but I hope you enjoy this one-shot nevertheless.

Fire and Ice

By ACI100

September 27, 1995

The Second Floor, Hogwarts

6:21 PM

Harry strode onto the first landing of the marble staircase with light and purposeful footsteps. The din of conversation rising from the Great Hall almost directly below him wafted up like thick, billowing steam. Its sound was as tempting as the scent of freshly baked bread with the butter still melting, but he did not relent. The longer the meal stretched on downstairs, the more convenient it was for Harry. So long as the toad-faced tyrant stayed seated at the staff table, his plan should go off without a hitch.

The noise grew fainter as he moved further away from the staircase and took turn after turn. The corridors really were a maze. Many of the newest crop of first years must still be struggling with them, just like Harry remembered doing himself four years earlier. The twisting halls seemed to never end and there was often very little to distinguish one ancient stone wall from another. Torch brackets hung on most of them, and the suits of armour that lined the corridors were uniform. It took a great deal of practice to know where one was at all times.

Harry had wished for the noise to fade a minute or so earlier so he could focus, but he found himself missing it now that it had. The meal could end at any moment and he would be caught unaware. There was also a certain level of comfort provided by the herd of voices. Now, he was left entirely to his own thoughts and doubts.

He had found himself both wishing for and hating the quiet as of late. The constant droning of people who wanted things from him was draining in ways he couldn’t seem to handle. Friends who wanted nothing from him had become few and far between this year. Harry was quickly realizing they were a precious commodity that he could do with more of.

He could have used one of them now. Never before had he attempted to break into a professor’s office. Not one that had defences and not alone. Of all the chaos he had stirred whilst residing in the castle, that was not among his many escapades and he began to doubt his ability to pull it off the closer he drew to the horrible room.

Harry forced himself to remember all that had happened during the summer and since arriving back at Hogwarts. Everything since Voldemort’s return had been a colossal pain in the neck. There was hardly a single second of it he could look back on fondly, and the more time that seemed to stretch on, the more and more riled up Harry became and the less he desired to wait for others to take action. He had found himself sympathizing with Sirius lately. He could scarcely imagine what it must feel like to be locked up in Grimmauld Place whilst the world descended into quiet chaos as a three-way cold war was waged from behind the scenes.

This past summer was hardly the first miserable one Harry had ever been through. It was the worst to him because of the anxiety induced by not knowing what was going on, but it was hardly the first. Awful summers had become a sort of annual tradition since his enrollment in Hogwarts. What had been less standard thus far was the school year itself.

Hogwarts had been the first and only home Harry had ever known. He had always been able to rely on the castle, even when things on Privet Drive had looked especially bleak. Despite the dangers that seemed always to loom just out of sight and lunge at Harry from areas unseen, there was no place on earth that made him happier than Hogwarts.

Until Dolores Umbridge had shown up in all her lurid glory, descending down on them like a pink demon from the depths of hell.

She had been annoyingly successful so far. Not only had she sucked the life out of Harry’s favourite subject and single-handedly ensured that half of his year would fail their upcoming OWL exams, but she had also gone to horrendous lengths to secure her position as Hogwarts’ newest and most cruel authority figure. Argus Filch suddenly seemed like the most popular kid in school next to Umbridge, the metaphorical outcast loathed by all.

Just thinking about the woman made Harry seethe. Anger bubbled in the pit of his stomach. It was red hot and so turbulent that he felt it sloshing about like restless waves surging forth with destructive vigour. It was the same anger that had risen within him that first night at Grimmauld Place; an intense, all-consuming haze that made everything else fade to the background. Everything but the stabbing prickle of pain emanating from the still-raw skin on the back of Harry’s hand. He paused his stride for a moment and lifted his arm, allowing his hand to protrude just enough from under the invisibility cloak for him to make out the swollen pink letters that had been painfully carved into his skin.

I must not tell lies.

The words echoed inside Harry’s head. It was like someone had stood inside his skull and shouted them, just to hear them thrown back. It was deafening and it crushed all of Harry’s lingering doubts in a single heartbeat.

When the door of Umbridge’s office loomed up ahead, his vice-like grip tightened still on his wand and he marched forward with renewed purpose.

October 1, 1995

The Great Hall

8:33 AM

NEWLY-APPOINTED HOGWARTS HIGH INQUISITOR INTRODUCES HER INQUISITORIAL SQUAD

By Barnabus Cuffe

“This rag can’t be serious,” Ron muttered after scanning the newspaper Hermione had passed him and Harry.

The school had been in quite the frenzy since the news had leaked that Umbridge had returned one night to find her office in complete disarray and many of her possessions damaged beyond repair. Harry had listened to all of it with a triumphant glee.

Umbridge had been in a storming mood ever since and she had made his most recent Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson a living hell. It was no secret who the High Inquisitor thought was responsible for the chaos, but there was no possible way for her to prove it. Not that she cared about proof or ethics. Harry had been issued more detentions on the pretence of disrespect shown during the last lesson, but he hardly cared.

Yet this had not been part of his plans. A group of select students made up almost entirely of Slytherins that would serve as Umbridge’s personal enforcement squad. The article made it sound like they would have all the powers assigned to prefects and that they would serve not the school, but Umbridge and Umbridge alone.

It was horrid. Harry could see that many of the staff agreed with him. Professor Flitwick was considerably less energetic than normal and Professor McGonagall looked as though she had bitten into something foul. Dumbledore looked as unperturbed as ever, but Harry was sure even he was beginning to grow uneasy. If Umbridge was allowed to continue her reign of terror unchecked, there was no telling how dark and dreary the halls of Hogwarts could become.

Harry glanced from the newspaper, to his friends, and back again. “Fine. I’m in.”

Ron’s head jerked up. “You’re… what?”

“I’m in. I’ll do it; I’ll teach you lot Defence, along with whoever else wants in.”

Ron looked like he had been run over by the flying Ford Anglia his father had once owned, but Hermione’s beaming smile stretched so wide it looked fit to fall from her face.

October 7, 1995

The Slytherin Common Room

7:44 PM

Daphne’s head lulled as the crackling of the fire played like a soft and soothing harmony. Her eyelids flickered in unison with the fire as she fought to stay awake. It had been a long and tiresome month. Many of the students had wondered after the first week or two whether the workload would relent. Some thought the teachers were just giving them a brief taste of what they were up against this spring, but those optimists had been disproven in short and forceful order. The work just didn’t stop coming; it seemed to slam against all of them like how the black water outside sloshed against the common room’s porthole over and over again.

That wasn’t helping her stay awake, either. Once the sun set, all light beneath the Black Lake’s surface vanished and their common room was plunged into complete and total darkness sans the fire, torches, and lanterns casting ghostly green light about the room.

She realized she had fallen asleep some time later when she heard the sound of stone grinding against stone. It was quiet and subtle, but it was there any time their common room opened to admit one of them inside. This time it was her sister. Her skin looked unnaturally pale in the light of the room and her brown hair did not give off the same sense of warmth it did in most lighting.

Astoria’s appearance mattered naught; what mattered was that her arrival had jolted Daphne awake. Tracey was doing her homework beside Daphne and she must have noticed her friend’s movement, for she looked up and between the Greengrass sisters with a questioning stare.

“Don’t worry about it, Tracey,” said Daphne. “This isn’t worth slowing down your essay.”

Astoria was watching her closely. Daphne could tell this had come as no surprise to her. It really shouldn’t have, but her sister would do well to wear fewer of her emotions on her sleeve. Daphne was hardly impassive, but she liked to think she didn’t shout ‘I am guilty and proud of it’ for the world to hear whenever she broke some sort of rule.

The two of them departed the main room and trudged through one of the stone tunnels that sloped still further down into the bowels of the castle and led to their dormitories.

Daphne’s was empty for now, so she led Astoria inside and rounded on her almost at once. “What were you thinking?”

Astoria’s chin jutted out as she looked up to meet her sister’s eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Astoria, don’t lie to me.”

“Then don’t get involved in things that aren’t your business.”

“You’re my sister—”

“Exactly! Sister, not daughter!”

Daphne felt a wave of heat roll up her body. She tried to stop it from flooding her cheeks, but judging by Astoria’s smirk, she had been unsuccessful. Was it so wrong of her to want to protect the people she loved? “Would you actually listen instead of making snarks?”

“Would you get to the point instead of lecturing me all night?”

“Oh, for the love of… fine.” Daphne was now scowling and not at all pleased about it. Astoria had a special talent for frazzling her. No one could put her in a foul temper faster than her devil of a sister. “What do you think you’re doing getting involved with Potter and his friends?”

“Learning.”

“Learning what?”

“What the toad is—” her voice was cut off when Daphne took a step forward and clamped a hand over her mouth.

“Idiot,” she hissed. “Do you not realize that most of our housemates are in the woman’s pocket?”

“There’s no one here!”

“That’s not the point! The point is that you shouldn’t say those things in the dungeons.”

“You’re as stuck up as Grandmother!”

“And you’re as reckless as your new friend, Potter!”

“I don’t even know him!”

“But you trust him to teach you?”

“Does it really matter? He can’t be worse than her. Honestly, Daphne, I’m going to fail my exams because of her. I don’t know how any of you are going to pass your OWLs.”

“Some of us put in actual effort before this year, so one bad teacher won’t ruin everything.”

“Ha! So you admit she’s a bad teacher?”

Daphne rolled her eyes so hard she thought they might fall out. “Don’t be a child. Just because I don’t go around shouting about it doesn’t mean I don’t see what’s going on.”

“And…”

Daphne glared at her. “Yes, she’s not teaching anything. I doubt anyone would deny that.”

“So, there you go. I’m making sure I pass my exams.”

“You could do that without Potter. The older students are running a tutoring program for Defence Against the Dark Arts.” Astoria shrugged and Daphne felt her temper flare. Her sister’s constant disregard for caution was going to get her in trouble; trouble Daphne feared she wouldn’t be able to save the girl from on her own. “Why do you insist on running off with Potter and his group of morons? Do you not see what’s going to happen?”

“They have a plan. They’re not stupid, whatever you think of them.”

“Well, they’re clearly not subtle. Did you see the new educational decree? She’s onto them already. It’s only a matter of time until they’re caught. I bet she’ll expel Potter once they are.”

Astoria snorted. “She can try. I doubt Dumbledore will ever let her.”

“Dumbledore might not be around forever. Not if Fudge and the ministry have their way.”

“I guess we’ll have to wait and see,” Astoria said with a shrug.

“So, what? You’re going to keep doing… whatever you’re doing — even though it’s going to lead to disaster?”

“I’ll take my chances with Potter and his gang before I end up alone in a room with Bletchley and his so they can… teach me Defence.”

Daphne winced. She wished she could tell Astoria that none of the more nauseating rumours about that crew were true, but she was far from certain. There was a reason she would not be joining that tutoring program despite Umbridge’s subject being one of her weakest.

“If this blows up, if you get caught… you know what that will mean?”

“Personally,” said Astoria as she moved for the door, “I’d rather not think about it.”

October 8, 1995

The Third Floor

8:11 PM

All had been calm and peaceful until they reached the third floor. Harry had been walking alongside Ron, the twins, and the rest of the Gryffindor team as they made their climb to their common room. One minute, they had been gushing about Ron’s incredible save that practice. So brilliant it had been, it mirrored one made not long ago by the Irish national keeper, Barry Ryan. Even by his lofty standards, it had been considered magnificent, so for Ron to do something so similar was a big deal. Especially after weeks of poor play. They all hoped this was a sign of things to come and perhaps a glimpse of a future in which Ron would match Oliver Wood’s old brilliance.

That conversation had been taking place before a group of Slytherins descended on them. Spells flew in all directions as bodies threw themselves to the side in order to avoid the haze of light. A shriek tore through the corridor seconds after the melee had begun. There had been a second’s pause to see what had happened during which Alicia Spinnet must have been hit with something vile. Her eyebrows had swelled so horribly that they now obscured most of her face. She couldn’t see a thing and was stumbling about the corridor.

The pause gave the Gryffindors time to draw their own wands. When the skirmish began anew, it returned with a vengeance that had not been present the first time.

Harry made to draw his own wand but never got the chance. Something grabbed him with a grip so tight on his wrist that he felt the tips of his fingers go numb. He tried to spin out of their grip but winced when dagger-like nails pierced his skin. Blood welled up and threatened to spill forth if he pulled away, so he allowed himself to be dragged backwards, ready to draw his wand and fight at the first available opportunity.

It turned out that Harry had been standing near a doorway, for he swiftly found himself pulled inside what appeared to be one of the castle’s many abandoned rooms. Whoever had a hold on his wrist released their grip and Harry whirled to face them, bringing his wand up to fire a spell as he did so.

“Would you really curse a sweet and innocent maiden, Potter? That wouldn’t be very chivalrous of you, would it? Dumbledore might even be disappointed.”

Harry held up his left arm. The skin where her nails had dug in had quickly swollen. There was now a ring of it that had puffed out and turned pink. “I don’t know what you call innocent, but I do know this definitely didn’t feel very ‘sweet’.”

“It would be boring if all of our taste buds worked the same way, wouldn’t it?”

Harry scowled as he straightened his shoulders and looked at his assailant for the first time. She was tall and slender, with pale skin, honey-blonde hair, and ice-blue eyes. Her pink lips had an upward curve to them that indicated she was resisting the urge to smirk.

Harry was too aware of the danger the girl posed to look away from her face. He searched for any sign of movement or impending attack. He found none. The slim nose and perfectly shaped brows betrayed her prestigious ancestry, but no sign of a threat. Harry found it hard to look away once their eyes met. Hers were bright and wide with the rush of the moment. They seemed to have their own gravity and it took a concerted effort to pull his gaze away from hers.

Harry recognized her, if vaguely. He could never remember saying so much as a word to her, but he knew her name if nothing else. Snape had praised her often enough in Potions and Hermione had mentioned her once or twice. If only she could be convinced to join the DA. Perhaps then, the Order would one day have a potioneer they could rely on without expecting a dagger in their backs at every turn.

“What the hell do you want, Greengrass?”

The girl raised a thin eyebrow. “Touchy, are we?”

“I think that describes you better than me,” Harry bit back, showing her the marks on his wrist again. He flicked his eyes away from her face and pointedly down to her hands. “Do you touch up every bloke you come across?”

“You seem awfully bothered by a couple of scratches. Between the two of us, it doesn’t exactly make your fairytale about last June seem any more believable.”

Harry ground his teeth together. Of course she was going to side with Voldemort. She was a Slytherin, a snake, the enemy. He had been foolish to hope for a second that she could believe in him.

“I guess it would be a fairytale to you, wouldn’t it? What, with your snake-faced bastard of a master back again? Have your parents already kissed the hems of his robes? Or maybe he prefers they do lip service somewhere—”

Harry’s ears rang and his head snapped back as the loud smack of Greengrass’s hand against his cheek rang through the room. “Don’t you dare talk about my family!”

Harry raised his hand and felt the cheek she had slapped a second earlier. It felt hot to the touch and he suspected it too would swell up before the night was at its end. He hadn’t even noticed her step forward before her hand had left yet another impression on him. She had yet to step back. If Harry leant forward even an inch, their bodies would be in contact and perfectly aligned, curve fitting against curve like a human puzzle made only from two pieces.

Daphne’s chest was heaving up and down from her angered breathing and her mouth was slightly parted and turned downward with her disdain. She had slapped him and was still acting as righteous as any Gryffindor could ever hope.

“Then make your point and be quick about it,” Harry spat at her.

“If you hurt my sister or drag her down with the rest of you idiots, you’ll have worse to deal with than scrapes and bruises.”

“Your… sister?” Harry’s rage broke all at once. He wasn’t sure what he had been expecting, but that had not been it. Something about Umbridge, perhaps. Greengrass was a part of her Inquisitorial Squad, after all.

This had apparently been the wrong thing to say. A reddish-pink tinge had taken refuge in Greengrass’s cheeks and she suddenly looked ready to slap him again. “Yes, Potter, my sister. Glad to know how little you care about the students you’re teaching.”

Harry opened his mouth to snap back, but he closed it just as quickly. If Greengrass was a member of Umbridge’s band of sycophants and she knew about the DA, that meant that others might, too. Perhaps the Top Toad herself knew more than even her most recent educational decree indicated.

“I don’t—”

“Oh, can it. I’m off-duty and don’t plan to sell you out to Umbridge. It wouldn’t matter if I did. Your little group isn’t going anywhere unless you’re stupid enough to let someone prove that it exists. Not as long as Dumbledore is Headmaster.”

“Then what are you after?”

“I told you that already. Merlin, you’re dense. My sister. She was stupid enough to join up with you. I want your word that you won’t let her get into any trouble.”

“My… word?”

“Yes. I’d offer to use smaller words, but I think I might have a hard time coming up with many shorter than four letters.”

“You’ve made it pretty clear you don’t trust me,” said Harry. “What good is my word to you?”

Greengrass’s expression shifted to something more stoic. “You’re a lot of things. I think you’re an idiot, but I don’t think you’re as big a dick as Malfoy says you are. A bit too attention-seeking for my tastes, but I do think you care about other people — even if you don’t remember all of their names.”

Now, it was Harry’s turn to blush. “Look, there were dozens of people there. I couldn’t have—”

“I get it,” sighed Greengrass. “That part… might have been a touch harsh. I do actually believe you care. I don’t see why you’d have started this group if you didn’t; it’s not like you’re starving for attention as of late.”

“Then why come after me so hard?”

“I just… you’re not smart enough to make sure this whole thing doesn’t go up in smoke. Neither is Granger, no matter what you think. I don’t want my sister caught up in your mess. Your word, Potter. Your word that you’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“You just said I’m not smart enough to keep myself and the group out of trouble. What makes you think I can keep your sister out of Umbridge’s line of fire?”

“That’s not what I said. Your group will go up in smoke, but you’ll get away — you always do.” She was looking at him differently now. There was a probing look about her stare. It was strangely intense, almost as though her eyes were trying to swallow him whole. It was like she was trying to pull answers out from under his skin just by looking at him. “If there’s one thing I’ve always respected about you, it’s your knack for getting out of impossible situations.”

Harry understood her meaning. “I’ll make you a deal, Greengrass.” She tilted her head to the side and did not break eye contact with him the whole time. “I’ll keep your sister out of trouble if you’ll hold off on slapping me in the face next time we run into each other.”

The last thing Harry expected to happen took place then. Greengrass actually smiled at him. It was a strange sight after how furious she had been glowering a moment earlier.

Harry preferred her smile; it suited her well. “I’ll hold you to that,” she vowed. “I won’t make any promises about what will happen if you don’t hold up your end of the bargain.”

“Between the two of us,” said Harry as he moved towards the door, “I’m going to really hope we don’t need to worry about that possibility.”

The next night, in the Room of Requirement…

There was something incredibly fulfilling about watching the members of Dumbledore’s Army practicing the Disarming and Shield Charms. Simple as Zacharias Smith might have made them out to be, a great number of the students had struggled at the beginning. Many of them had gotten the hang of at least one of them over the course of the lesson. Even Neville was casting Expelliarmus perfectly more often than not, though his aim was more worrisome for people nearby than it was for its target.

The expressions on many faces as they left the room made Harry smile. This was truly what learning was all about. Umbridge, Slinkhard, and that damn book could go burn in whatever hell awaited them. This was how it ought to be done; with students learning magic, forging friendships, and enjoying themselves all the while. Ron and Hermione appeared to agree with him if the ear-to-ear grins they wore were any indication. It really was a euphoric feeling. Not unlike winning a heated Quidditch match in a lot of ways. The feeling was so uplifting it had even purged him of the dread he felt at Umbridge’s inevitable retaliation. He had skipped detention with her tonight in order to host the DA’s first official meeting.

Somebody cleared their throat from nearby. The spell that glee had cast upon him did not break when he saw the girl standing before him, but it did waver as he remembered a stinging pain on his cheek and an icy-eyed glare.

“Greengrass, right?” Harry asked the girl who had probably been watching him all lesson long.

“Astoria, yeah.”

Harry could see the resemblances to Daphne, but the sisters were far from the same. Their faces were shaped in similar ways and they both had a perpetually haughty look about them. Astoria’s eyes were brown as opposed to ice-blue and her hair was of a similar colour — several shades darker than her older sister’s. She looked warmer somehow, looser and more inviting in a way her sister had certainly not seemed.

“Can I help you with anything?” asked Harry, suddenly aware of the many pairs of eyes that watched them as he wondered how much of the previous day’s events Astoria might have known. He tried not to tousle his hair or look away as he waited for her answer, for both impulses felt as pressing as the need to scratch an especially vexing itch.

Astoria too seemed aware of the watchful eyes all around them. She appeared a great deal smaller and less confident than Daphne had been the day before, but she held his gaze. “I just wondered if my sister had given you any problems.”

“We… had a discussion,” Harry admitted.

“Sorry,” Astoria muttered, suddenly blushing. “She shouldn’t have done that; I told her to stay out of it.”

“It’s fine, I get it. If I had a little sister, I’d want to make sure she was all right, too. She was just… uh… forceful.”

Astoria winced. “Yeah, she is a bit, isn’t she?” She twirled a lock of brown hair around her finger. “I hope she didn’t do anything like make threats or something.”

“She… had some choice words.” When Harry saw the flush return, he sighed. “Look, it’s all right. She’s not the first person I’ve dealt with threatening me for things I never did or haven’t done yet. And after Voldemort, your sister doesn’t scare me much.”

Astoria looked dumbstruck for a moment before she hid a giggle behind her hand. “No, I guess she wouldn’t, would she?”

“Not really, no. Don’t worry about it. I can handle myself and I can handle your sister. Just don’t make me regret letting a ‘slimy snake’ in the DA. I’d hate to have you turn against us when we crush you bunch of gits out on the pitch.”

A smile returned to the girl’s lips; a slight, thin smile that teased the coming of more. “Keep telling yourself that, Potter. Be careful out there; Daphne might not hit that hard, but I bet a bludger will.”

It was the most she had resembled her sister all lesson and Harry resisted the urge to smile at the reminder of Daphne’s flare. “From Crabbe or Goyle? It would probably hurt like hell. I’d have to ask the spot about ten feet to my left; I reckon it’s more likely to get hit than me.”

Astoria giggled once more as she shyly waved and made off for the exit. Harry watched her back as she left. It was so strange how unlike each other siblings could be.

October 10, 1995

The Entrance Hall

6:52 PM

Umbridge’s rage had been something to behold after Harry had skipped her most recent detention. He would now pay for it by spending at least one evening each week in her office writing lines until the end of the year. Harry had broken her first cursed quill the night he’d broken into her office, but she had evidently ordered another. The words on the back of his hand had already begun to heal less effectively than they had the first few detentions. Soon, he was sure they would cease disappearing altogether. Harry suspected that by the year’s end, they might well be visible from half a room away.

His lesson with the vile woman that day had been the worst yet. Gryffindor had lost more points than they had ever lost during a lesson with Snape. The pink-clad pest had been fit to explode and Harry had been told to wait outside the Great Hall once he finished his meal that evening.

That was where he stood now. Ron and Hermione had offered to wait with him, but he ushered them off ahead. If Umbridge was going to personally escort him, it would do no good for them to be in her crosshairs. She might well assign them detentions for her own sick amusement since by now, she was far beyond caring about the castle’s rules or any ethics that supposedly came with the position of a professor.

“Come with me, Potter.”

Harry snapped out of his daze as though he had suddenly been pulled from a deep and vivid dream. It was not Umbridge who stood nearby waiting, but Daphne Greengrass, tapping her foot upon the floor much like Astoria had done last night as she waited.

“Umbridge sent you, I take it?” Greengrass nodded curtly. “Figures. She would send one of her attack dogs to do the dirty work for her.”

Daphne’s expression was completely impassive. “Professor Umbridge has better things to do than to make sure students make it to detention on time.”

“Yeah, I’m sure she’s having a right old time trying to come up with new and creative ways not to teach us Defence Against the Dark Arts.”

“Come along, Potter. I also have better things to do than to make sure students make it to detention.”

“Is she doing this for everyone?” Harry asked.

“No, just you. She’s set up a rotation.”

“Aren’t I special?”

“That’s certainly one word for it.”

“I prefer spectacular, but it will do.”

“Stupid twat might suit you better. Now, follow me.”

“I think you’re getting me mixed up with your boss,” Harry said as he finally began to follow in Greengrass’s footsteps. “Maybe you can take that up with her next time you’re nose deep in her—”

“She is our teacher; get a grip and stop being a child.”

Harry shrugged, hesitated, and held up his hand right as the two of them passed by a line of flickering torches. The words stood out starkly in the torchlight, and even though she spared him but a quick glance, it was apparent by the widening of her eyes that Greengrass had spotted the results of Umbridge’s cruelty.

“Sorry, Greengrass. I must not tell lies.”

November 17, 1995

The Seventh Floor

8:41 PM

Dolores Umbridge was a lot of things. Harry listed unattractive, abrasive, annoying, and a complete and utter bitch chief amongst them. What she wasn’t, unfortunately, was stupid.

This attempt at breaking into her office had not gone as successfully as the first. Unlocking the door had obviously triggered some sort of warning sign because before he had finished trashing the place for a second time, the Inquisitorial Squad arrived in all its green and silver glory.

Harry would have liked to put on his invisibility cloak and just vanish into thin air, but that was quite difficult when being chased by a bunch of inbred, pureblood fanatics. Their spells were basic, but many were vicious and clearly carried ill intent. They just kept on coming. Harry was faster and well-practiced at these games. They had made up a large part of his existence on Privet Drive. He also had a much deeper understanding of the castle and its secret passages.

What he was not, unfortunately, was able to multiply. There were considerably more of them than there were of him, which made losing them altogether more difficult than he had anticipated. A couple of the spells actually managed to get through — a nasty Cutting Curse had opened a fair-sized gash right above his ribs; one that stung like a hundred pointed needles. He was also beginning to tire as they reached the seventh floor.

He could think of only one escape as he hurtled around a familiar bend and plunged into a corridor that was marked by an absurd tapestry of an old, bewildered-looking man trying and failing to teach a number of mountain trolls the art of ballroom dancing.

More spells flew past him, but he had put some ground between himself and the others. It had been told to him by Dobby that he needed to walk back and forth three times in front of the blank stretch of wall. The elf had never mentioned anything about sprinting both ways. He had never told Harry he couldn’t, so the Gryffindor youth supposed it was as good a time as any to test that breakthrough theory.

The door materialized on the third pass just like it always had. Its arrival came not a moment too soon, for they were well and truly on him now.

Harry’s body thudded against the door as his hand scrambled to find the knob. His momentum forced it open and he toppled inside. The last sight he saw before frantically scrambling to his feet and slamming the door closed once more was the sharp, knowing gaze of Daphne Greengrass.

November 26, 1995

The Third Floor

9:34 PM

Daphne ran a hand through her long blonde hair as she stepped out from the broom cupboard she had just been confined to. She was grateful no one was around to see her now. Her hair was a tangled mess and her robes had been jostled and were in a state of disarray. Creases showed all over and they were far from straight. Anyone who spotted her then would have been surprised by how unlike herself she appeared.

Cormac McLaggen was far from the most pleasant fellow she could have chosen for the day’s… escapades, but he was the very definition of a brainless Gryffindor. It had taken almost no effort at all to get him into a compromising position and even less to convince him to talk once he was there. He had also been the surest bet she could come up with for someone who had pissed Umbridge off enough to earn himself detention. Daphne had felt her own mood dip after three minutes of being in the boy’s presence. If he had lasted this long without detention from Umbridge, she’d have swallowed Lucius Malfoy’s famous cane.

Not only had he served detention, but he had been the second Gryffindor she had spotted with odd scarring on the back of his hand. His had been much less distinct than Potter’s and the words had been different. She hadn’t been able to decipher exactly what they were, but she quite liked to think they said something along the lines of: ‘I am a bumbling troll who should never have pretended otherwise.’

She wondered whether the fainter scars were what made it seem different now. She had felt nothing when looking at McLaggen’s; just a dull sense of dread when thinking about exactly what she had gotten herself into.

When she’d looked at Potter’s… it had been different. Something had stirred inside her. It had been massive and restless, writhing with furious displeasure when she had glimpsed the words carved into the back of the boy’s hand.

She shook herself from the thoughts and glanced at her reflection in a nearby window. She looked as out of place as expected, but that was not what she was focusing on. Her blue eyes watched the tiny silver badge she wore. From afar, its design was impossible to decipher. Up close, one could make out the faint outline of a wizard with his wand held high, surrounded by a witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house elf. Daphne recognized the image. It was eerily similar to what was depicted by the Fountain of Magical Brethren, situated in the Ministry of Magic’s main atrium. It was about as subtle as a speeding bludger, but it sent a very clear message.

A message that Daphne had questioned in the best of times. A message that had become murkier still when she began to watch her peers falling further and further behind in Umbridge’s class. A message that became even harder to buy into the second Astoria had thrown her hat in with Potter and his friends.

But now?

How difficult was it going to be to support the message and its sender now? Now that she knew exactly what was going on behind closed doors at Hogwarts and now that she had seen what the woman was putting Potter through.

No… that last thought did not warrant consideration. It was stupid; he was stupid — just a simple-minded attention seeker draped in crimson robes. She should cease sparing the thought of him her time or energy.

Daphne could see her expression in the window. She had a way of looking emotionless and robotic when she was confused or lost in thought. It was ironic, really, for that was how she would need to act if she wished to maintain this facade.

Daphne shook her head slowly at the sounds of movement from behind her. It was coming from the broom cupboard; her cue to flee the scene of the crime had come.

December 2, 1995

The Dungeons

3:43 PM

Harry really despised Helga Hufflepuff’s taste. Of all the places she could have situated her common room and the kitchens, why in Merlin’s name had she chosen the dungeons? They were dark, dreary places often disturbed by dusty drafts and dampened by desolate air.

And, most unforgivable of all, there were Slytherins in the dungeons.

Harry had never exactly gotten along with the fourth of the school that traipsed around in green and silver, but their relationship had grown more toxic than ever since the return of Voldemort. Accusing the parents of some of the house’s more prevalent members hadn’t exactly bolstered any shreds of goodwill he may have had left within the house of cunning. Nor had pissing off Umbridge, who had treated their house with almost as much partisan favour as Snape.

This had been his first undisturbed trip down to the kitchens in quite some time. Lately, he’d found himself plagued by malicious snakes more often than not. They were almost as troublesome as the Inquisitorial Squad. It was no surprise. Tensions between the two houses had been at an all-time high since the violent conclusion to their most recent clash out on the Quidditch pitch. Green and silver-clad figures had been making his life hell ever since. Intruding upon their domain in the dungeons was really just asking for trouble.

This afternoon had been different. Harry had made it all the way into the kitchens without drama and was on his way out with his pockets full of sweets when he noticed something was off. There was shouting from not far away. Several different voices appeared to be arguing with one another.

Harry ought to have used the distraction and fled the dungeons right then and there. Most students would gladly have seized the opening, but Harry was more curious as to what was going on than he was averse to spending any more time in the dungeons.

Having an invisibility cloak also helped. He made it all the way to the scene of the shouting without trouble, but his eyebrows rose at the sight before him.

A fourth-year Slytherin boy was sprawled out on the floor. Bits of his hair were strewn all over the corridor and what was left on his head was chopped and uneven. Good, Harry thought. That was what the prat got for taking one of Umbridge’s silver badges.

“His hair,” Harry heard someone whisper from nearby. “Someone said it tried to strangle him and had to be cut!”

“That’s ridiculous,” another voice replied. “I’ve never heard of a spell like that.”

“I have,” said a third, “read about it in a book I took out of the Restricted Section once. It might look funny, but it’s actually a dangerous spell. People have died because of it.”

Harry too knew the spell. It was one he had used as an example in one of the more recent gatherings of Dumbledore’s Army. He hadn’t taught the class how to cast it, but he doubted it would have been difficult to learn once the members knew of it.

“I didn’t do it!”

That voice jolted Harry from his thoughts. It was a relatively new voice in his memory, but it was one he still recognized. He crept closer to the centre of the crowd and saw her.

Astoria was standing with her back against a wall. Dolores Umbridge was looming nearby with an ugly sneer upon her toad-like face. She just had the most cursable face — Harry wanted to try out some of the more vile magics he’d read about any time he saw it.

Umbridge gave her usual, tittering laugh. “My dear, you’ve been caught red-handed. We have an eyewitness report.”

“Well, your eyewitness lied.”

“And why would she do that?”

Astoria scowled. “Beats me.”

“That’s not a very convincing defence, if you don’t mind me saying,” Umbridge said with that same, tittering laugh.

Harry’s eyes swept over the crowd. The entirety of the Inquisitorial Squad was there, but Harry’s eyes rested on one member in particular. Her lips were pulled in a tight line that would have made Professor McGonagall proud and her eyes looked ready to shoot sparks.

Harry remembered the conversation they’d had earlier in the year after the girl had dragged him forcefully into an abandoned classroom.

“I’ll keep your sister out of trouble if you’ll hold off on slapping me in the face next time we run into each other.”

Bugger!

That had been a promise Harry had thought nothing of at the time; merely an amusing quip that got Greengrass off his back. Now, it was suddenly more relevant than he had ever planned on.

If Astoria had snuck out after curfew or violated one of the educational decrees, that might have been one thing. Harry supposed he had never specified the offence had to be DA-related, but he thought he might have been able to get away with standing back in one of those cases.

But this had resulted from a spell he had indirectly taught her, and Astoria was definitely guilty. Harry had grown up around Dudley — a boy who had spent half of his time in elementary school lying his way out of similar situations. Harry knew exactly how to tell when someone was guilty of these kinds of offences.

He looked at the eldest Greengrass sister once more. Something tugged inside him at the sight of her expression. She seemed so tense. It bothered Harry. There was something about her that was gone. A sort of smooth, elegant confidence that was maddeningly hard to ignore. He felt himself tense as his muscles seemed to solidify along with his resolve.

He audibly sighed as he stepped forward and swiftly pocketed his invisibility cloak. Damn his Gryffindor chivalry, damn his profound lack of foresight, and damn Daphne Greengrass, too.

Umbridge’s beady eyes found him at once and he knew without needing to hear what came next that she was about to conveniently forget both Astoria’s existence and her eyewitness report. Anything to pin the crime on her least favourite student.

December 10, 1995

The Seventh Floor

10:11 PM

Hogwarts’ High Inquisitor had many vexing qualities. Her utter refusal to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts, her loathing for any colour that wasn’t pink, her disdain for anyone who opposed her ideals — the list went on for as long as the sprawling bit of parchment hung in Filch’s office stating exactly what he forbid all the students from doing. Harry thought that among Umbridge’s most horrid qualities, the one that annoyed him most may have been her knack for not making the same mistake twice.

Her Inquisitorial Squad had chased him onto the seventh floor again. He had briefly contemplated making a break for the Gryffindor common room, but he had dismissed the idea just as fast. Malfoy would absolutely be petty enough to go to Umbridge directly, who would absolutely be stuck up enough to barge into the common room.

His next thought was to flee once more to the Room of Requirement, but that was when his plans ran head-first into a brick wall about as thick as Umbridge’s ego.

Two seventh-year Slytherins guarded the mouth to the corridor he had vanished in last time they had chased him. Thank Merlin that patrol wasn’t a regular fixture of the castle. It would have made DA meetings impossible if it had been.

Harry could hear pounding feet behind him drawing closer and closer. At least the two students up ahead had not yet spotted him. In a bout of desperation, he dove sideways, hit the floor, and rolled behind the nearest suit of armour just as the first pursuer flew around the corner.

It was Greengrass. Her chest was heaving, her hair was tousled, and her complexion was uncharacteristically marred by a thin sheen of sweat. Seeing her so dishevelled was odd, but Harry found something about it entrancing. The soft yet persistent sounds of her weary breathing, the way thin strands of her bright hair stuck to her forehead and shone in the torchlight, the rhythmic movements of her chest…

Harry forced his mind to move on; now was not the time. He knew he was finished as soon as she entered the corridor. Her eyes had honed in on him at the last possible moment. She must have caught his movement or otherwise spotted the hem of his robes. It mattered not what she had seen, he supposed. All that mattered was that she was about to alert the Inquisitorial Squad to his predicament and the chase would be over. He could see it now. Her eyes flicked around the corridor and her lips were parting to call forth the death blow…

“He’s disappeared again! I don’t see him anywhere!”

Harry almost choked on his own breath.

What had just happened? Why the hell had Daphne Greengrass lied for him? Lied to her friends and companions.

Many curses streamed from the group of now panting students who had stopped dead upon hearing Greengrass’s proclamation.

“Let’s check this way!” called Montague — the Slytherin Quidditch captain. “He could have slipped off down here; there’s a tapestry down this corridor and to the right.”

Harry’s pursuers regained their vigour and charged off in the direction Montague had indicated. Daphne Greengrass hesitated for a moment before glancing around, almost as though she wanted to be sure no one was watching her.

Her hand moved swiftly. It vanished into her robes for a moment before re-emerging and falling to her side. It happened so fast, Harry might have thought she was scratching an itch if not for the roll of parchment that fell to the floor and skidded towards him just as Greengrass took off after the others.

Harry gawked at the missive as though it had fallen from the stars. Among the deepest, darkest secrets of the known universe, Harry counted teenaged Slytherin girls as being right near the top.

December 11, 1995

The Black Lake

6:45 AM

The next morning dawned with all the vibrant glory one could expect from a December morning in the Scottish highlands. In other words, the sun had shown no signs of emerging whatsoever by the time Harry left the castle that next morning, bundled in his warmest travelling cloak and shivering against the vicious winter winds.

If anyone would have asked him the day before, Harry would have told them that Daphne Greengrass could not become any more perplexing. It was a statement he would have been about as confident in as he was in the return of Voldemort, but it was one he would have swiftly needed to retract the second he read her conspicuous letter.

Why in Merlin’s name she would want to meet before seven in the morning in the dead of winter, Harry would never be able to comprehend. It was a horrific time of the morning on the best of occasions, but in the middle of December, his travelling cloak seemed about as useless as wrapping himself in a layer of parchment.

Snow had fallen in the dark of night. When Harry had closed his eyes yesterday, there had been but a thin dusting of pale flakes splattered across the frozen earth. There was now a layer of it that shone pearly white in the darkness of the early morning and blanketed the grounds like a gleaming layer of icing. He could still hear the water sloshing in the Black Lake as he drew near. It must not have frozen over quite yet, but Harry knew the ice would soon come. He shivered at the thought. Diving into its frozen depths last February was one of his worst memories from fourth year. Which really was saying a lot considering all that had happened as a result of Voldemort’s master plan.

The wind picked up as Harry neared the lake’s bank. Leafless branches rustled above his head as the now frail-looking trees teetered under the wind’s malicious wrath. It kicked up the snow, blowing it this way and that. Some of it hung in the air like a pale layer of fog while most of it just blew into Harry’s face or broke against his cloak.

“Glad to see you look comfortable.”

She was standing on the edge of the water as she watched him, dressed in a travelling cloak of her own. Hers had a hood so large that her head was almost lost in it, but her blue eyes shone in the darkness all around them. They looked like strange muggle traffic lights, but Harry was happy to see them. They were oddly familiar and seemed to soften the harsh touch of the loudly whistling wind.

This time, Harry knew what was coming and looked away before he could become lost in those eyes. “Comfortable’s one word for it,” he said as he stepped up beside her and looked across the water to the towering cliff the castle rested atop. It was one of the only things that seemed unfazed by the arrival of winter.

“You look awake; that’s more than I expected.”

Harry did his best to raise an eyebrow despite the fact he was shivering and she likely couldn’t see it anyway. “Did you think I wouldn’t show up?”

“I wasn’t really sure. I expected you to look like a corpse if you did.”

“Sorry to disappoint you. You’d have needed to summon Ron at this time if you wanted a corpse.”

“If I wanted Weasley, I probably would want his corpse. Talking to that would be just as interesting.”

“Oi!” Harry protested, but he could not hold back the laughter that spilled from him. “What did you want me for, then?” he asked.

Greengrass turned away from him for the first time that morning. There wasn’t enough light to tell for sure, but Harry had a strange suspicion she might be blushing. “To thank you.”

Harry’s eyebrows rose again. “Thank me for what?”

“For getting Astoria out of trouble. I know she was the one to curse Harper. She had been going on about him the night before. I… didn’t expect you to help her out of trouble if it didn’t have to do with your little study group.”

Harry ran a hand through his already windswept hair. He could feel Daphne looking at him again. He remembered the expression she had worn during their first meeting in the abandoned classroom. He shivered at the memory — no, it must just have been the cold, but Merlin… there had been something desperate in her stare; something he could not place. It was a look that might belong to someone who had fallen upon hard times staring at one far more fortunate as they passed by their battered alley.

“It sort of did have to do with our group,” he admitted after a pause, shifting uncomfortably as he did so. “I mentioned the spell she hit Harper with in the last meeting before she cursed him. I’ll bet she heard me talk about it and then looked it up.”

“That does sound a lot like Astoria.” Daphne hesitated again. “She’s getting better, you know.”

“What?”

“At Defence Against the Dark Arts. Her grades these last few weeks have been better than they ever were. I don’t think she’s the only one, either.”

Harry shifted from foot to foot. “I’m… uh, glad to hear it.”

Merlin, would she look anywhere but at him? It was unnerving. “You have no idea what you’ve done, do you?”

“What I’ve done?” Harry asked

Greengrass sighed. “It’s more than just helping them pass their exams. You’ve made them better. I’ll bet more aurors come out of this crop of students than any in the last two decades.”

Harry opened his mouth, but closed it again when he realized he had no idea what to say. He had never thought of it like that. The DA was supposed to help them all pass their OWLs and for the other students to pass their own sets of exams. Harry had never once dreamed that it might do more than that. It was a jarring thought, but a nice one. A pleasant feeling bloomed inside his chest and suddenly, the frigid air seemed bearable at last.

“I’ve… never really thought of it like that,” he admitted.

“You should think more. It would do you wonders. Who knows? Maybe if you did, you might not even be in detention every second day.”

“Plenty of thought goes into those detentions,” Harry said with a smirk. “Trust me, I plan every one of them.”

“You’re as mad as Dumbledore.”

“I could do worse if that’s who you’re comparing me to.”

Harry could just make out the edges of her smile now. The faintest bits of light had crept into the air all around them and, if he squinted, he could make out her expression more clearly.

“Well,” she said, “thank you for helping Astoria. Both with getting out of trouble and Defence Against the Dark Arts. I still wish she never joined your gang, but you’ve done a lot for her.”

“It’s not my gang. I just teach anyone who wants help.”

Daphne shrugged. “Whatever. I wish she wouldn’t have. I still think it’s going to end poorly, but I appreciate that you at least put in the effort.”

“Was that why you helped me yesterday? To pay me back for helping your sister?”

Daphne stumbled on her words for a moment, but she recovered quickly. “Sure, it was only fair. Chivalry and all that, right?”

Harry laughed, his voice lost in the rush of wind all around them. “Yeah, sure, chivalry. I think I’ll be chivalrous this time and warn you that if you don’t get inside soon, you’ll be lucky to escape without frostbite or hypothermia.”

Finally, it was her turn to laugh — the first time Harry had ever heard it. It was softer than his; quieter, too, but the wind had ceased blowing for a moment so he could hear it clearly. His own lips fought to curve upwards, but he resisted the tug. Why would he smile just because she had laughed?

“I think I’ll take your advice. I’ll see you around, Potter.” She was moving away from him before he could say another word and by the time he moved to follow, she had quickened her stride and was all but gone.

December 18, 1995

The Dungeons

12:02 PM

Astoria cringed watching her sister’s eyes follow Potter as he walked a few paces ahead of them, flanked on either side by Weasley and Granger. Daphne liked to say that Astoria always wore her emotions on her sleeve, but lately, her sister might as well have made a wardrobe out of hers.

Not that Harry was much better. Astoria had not missed the way he looked at her more often than the others during DA meetings. She knew Harry wasn’t interested in her. She knew it wasn’t her who had caught his attention, and she knew it wasn’t her who he saw every time he looked her way. Astoria had seen that enough times in the past few years. Before she had aged into her body, many people who were more interested in her sister looked at her. It had bothered her then, but now, it vexed her in an entirely different way.

She didn’t care that Harry Potter was interested in her sister. She cared even less that her sister seemed incapable of taking her eyes off of Harry Potter. All she cared about was the fact that it was making her life a touch more inconvenient and several times more awkward. Astoria hated cringing and she had done it a lot lately when watching Harry or Daphne.

She thought back to all those times Harry had watched her in the Room of Requirement. It had been especially easy to tell during this last meeting. Harry’s house elf friend, Dobby, had decorated the room for the last few meetings before the winter break. Astoria had been able to see Harry’s emerald-eyed stare reflected in the glass baubles as she practiced the Reductor Curse and the Impediment Jinx.

Dobby… that was a thought. The elf had not only decorated the room, but he had done it up in Harry’s image. It was strange. She had never heard of a house elf ever being so fond of a witch or wizard who was not its master, but perhaps the oddity could be of use to her.

The elf had given Harry instructions about how to use the room, after all…

December 20, 1995

The Room of Requirement

9:43 PM

The DA’s final meeting before the fast-approaching winter holidays had been the most joyous Harry had yet experienced. Seeing the students learn and make friends always made for a pleasant evening, but there had been something special about that night.

Harry wondered if it had anything to do with the nature of the Patronus Charm. Patroni were spirits born from pure and unadulterated happiness. They were literal creations of euphoria. Harry wondered if that was infectious somehow or whether just seeing them cast had been enough. He had been mightily impressed by the members of the DA. A number of them had managed to cast the charm at least once; it was by far Harry’s proudest moment as an instructor.

Something about the meeting stuck with him. The Room of Requirement just seemed more inviting after the night’s affairs. He found himself not quite ready to go when all the other members began filing out. Harry even told both Ron and Hermione to go on ahead and that he would meet them in the common room.

Despite being alone, Harry could still see Neville’s bear traipsing about as he peered around the room. He could still hear Hermione’s otter, still see Luna’s hare bounding through the awestruck students. He wondered whether or not he himself might be able to use the memory for his own patronus in the future. It was among the happiest he could ever remember feeling.

The creak of the room’s entrance opening drew Harry’s attention and he spun on his heel, grasping for his wand as he moved. It was fortunate he never got there, for he was sure he would have dropped it out of astonishment at the sight of the girl standing in the doorway.

“Greengrass?”

She stepped slowly inside and closed the door behind her. “Potter.”

“How did you get in here? I thought—”

“Thought that only members of your gang could get in? That was true until a friend of yours told me how. Don’t worry,” she said, taking several steps towards Harry when she saw him move to protest, “I have no plans to tell anyone else how to get in.”

Daphne had a scent about her that he had never been able to place. Now that they were closer to each other than they had ever been, he thought it smelled vaguely of cinnamon.

“I… appreciate it, I guess.” Harry suddenly found looking at her to be oddly fatiguing. His pulse seemed to quicken every time he did, as though he was partaking in something strenuous. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

Daphne looked him up and down. She had that look again. It made Harry shiver and want to move; towards her or away, he did not know.

They were only inches apart from each other now, both bathed in the light of a nearby torch. Harry liked what it did to Daphne’s hair. It seemed lighter in its glow and it sparkled just like the snow had that morning out by the Black Lake.

She saw where he was looking and glanced towards the torch before something else appeared to draw her attention. Harry saw her glance up and followed the motion, only to freeze, staring up unseeingly at the smooth-edged plant with oval leaves and berries bright as any freshly fallen coat of snow.

“Well,” said Daphne, “I suppose that now, I’m going to thank you properly.”

She was on top of him before he could place her meaning. Harry’s eyes widened as she lurched forward, but her lips met his before he knew what to do. His initial impulse as he felt something he realized a moment later was her tongue was to pull away, but something stopped him. Something forced him to part his lips. It must have been something about the room — he would never have acted in such a way under normal circumstances. That would have been completely ridiculous.

He did it again. She tasted like she smelt; it was a remarkable taste. That morning out by the lake, he had been so terribly cold. The air had chilled his bone and the wind had frozen his blood.

This was different. He was warm, so very warm; he could never remember being so warm in all his life. He liked the warmth; cold suddenly seemed a distant memory, even a foreign concept as he felt his muscles melt and his blood turn to liquid fire. In that room, in that moment, Harry wondered if he would ever be cold again.

Author’s Endnote:

This is extremely far from my normal writing style, so not my best work, but I value practicing things oneself struggles with.

I would like to give a special shoutout to my editor, Athena. Her and I had it out several times over this one. We had very different philosophies on how to make a number of things work, but her input was integral to making this story what it is now. I thank her for not just the input, but for her unwavering patience. This story would absolutely not be what it was without her.

Thank you so much once more to both Lily and Shadow. Seriously, your guys’ support has boggled my mind and I still cannot comprehend it, even now. Thank you both so much for all you have given me and I look forward to keeping up with both of you as time continues to pass.

Happy holidays, everyone!

P.S. I will now be posting one-shots four times a year, roughly on each solstice. If you are fond of them, I look forward to seeing you again this spring!

#haphne #harrypotterfanfic #harry james potter #daphne greengrass #audiobook #fanfic #ao3 fanfic #fanfiction #fanfiction.net #ff.net #ao3 #archive of our own #harry/daphne #inquistorial squad #umbridge #umbridge sucks #christmas #winter

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awanderingdeal · 3 years

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The best kind of spa day - Chapter 2

Here we go! Back at the spa with Lily and Natalie. Chapter two! There will be one more chapter after this. Also, I lied and somehow this chapter is smuttier than the last. Again, some background Jily/O’Darwin.

Rating: Explicit

CW: Food talk, explicit sex, semi-public sex (aka, there is no one around but they are outside and there is a slim chance they could be caught)

Chapter 1 can be found on my masterlist

And finally…but very importantly…thank you to @lumosinlove for the creation of the most wonderful Natalie Darcy and the sweater weather universe.

The massage therapist was excellent at their job, and neither Lily nor Nat wanted to do anything that afternoon except eat, drink, watch awful movies and cover their faces in the mud masks they had received in their complimentary spa basket. Natalie fell into a champagne induced sleep at some point during ‘Mama Mia!’ and it wasn’t long after that Lily curled into weight resting on her chest and closed her eyes too.

The next morning Natalie woke first and carefully untangled her limbs from Lily’s. Lily was one of those people that looked pretty when they slept, all soft snores and a gentle smile. Somehow her hair settled around her face in a way that looked effortlessly styled. Natalie took a moment to appreciate the beauty before hauling herself out of the bed with a small groan. Thankfully, her headache was nothing that a glass of water wouldn’t cure.

It was only 7am, but Natalie had a body clock and a need for routine that had no respect for days off, so she woke up just as her alarm would usually sound, no matter what. She sent good morning texts to Alex and Kasey, before deciding to take advantage of the time she had whilst Lily slept to do her normal yoga practise. Lily wasn’t a fan, preferring the kickboxing classes that allowed her to exercise both her body and her pent up disdain for humanity that her career in social work often caused.

Natalie was just transitioning out of her cobra pose when she heard a small giggle from the bed.

“Is something funny?” Natalie smirked, leaving her back arched but turning her head towards the source of the sound.

“No,” Lily laughed again. “That is just a wonderful sight to wake up to. Those leggings are very flattering.”

Natalie gave up trying to move into her next pose and flipped over to lie on her back. “You know if you would join in, there’s a lot of couple poses we could do?” she said, turning her head to watch Lily lazily stretch out. Her t-shirt rode up revealing an expanse of pale skin that was very tempting. “So, what’s the plan for the day then Lilypad?”

Lily sat up excitedly, clapping her hands together. “Well first I need to check in with James and Harry, but then I thought we could do a picnic breakfast? Maybe play some tennis? And we’re booked in for mani-pedis this afternoon,” she said.

“Sounds perfect,” Natalie approved, her smile turning slightly sheepish. “I need about an hour to film, I found the perfect spot yesterday.”

“Natttttt,” Lily groaned, throwing the duvet off of herself and swinging her legs over the side of the bed. “You promised no work.”

“I know, I know, I’m sorry. The gardens here are just too beautiful not to film this new song in. I’ll be an hour tops, I promise,” Natalie apologised, getting to her feet.

“Kasey’s right you know? You’re a work-a-holic,” Lily huffed, pushing her lip into an over exaggerated pout.

“Hey, you two can’t gang up on me when you’re not even together,” Natalie protested, stepping into Lily’s space and bracketing her knees in between her legs. “I’ll make it up to you later,” she added, leaning her head down so their forehead’s rested against one another.

“If you’re lucky,” Lily scoffed, but pressed their lips together in a quick kiss before pushing Natalie away lightly and grabbing her phone. “Put the dress on,” she called over her shoulder as she made her way to the bathroom.

“What dress?” Natalie asked with a laugh.

“You know what dress!” Lily said, sticking her head back out the bathroom door raising an eyebrow suggestively.

Natalie rolled her eyes, but went to grab the dress that she knew Lily was talking about. She sniffed her armpits quickly, decided a shower could wait until after they played tennis and set about switching out her clothes. The dress had made the luggage cut as a dinnertime option; it had a plunging neckline and a deep side slit, however the fabric was casual enough that it wouldn't be too out of place on the lawn. Natalie was brushing out her long waves when she heard Lily saying her goodbyes to James and Harry. Minutes later she stepped out of the bathroom, in just her underwear and smelling faintly of mint.

“Mmm, yeah, that’s the dress,” Lily hummed, her lips curling at the sides.

“Why do you want me to wear this one so much?” Natalie asked, feeling like there was something she wasn’t being told. She was intuitive like that.

“I just like it,” Lily replied with a smile that wasn’t reassuring Natalie that she had been wrong.

Natalie held Lily’s eye contact for a moment but the other woman wasn’t giving anything away. “Sure, sure,” she finally conceded the silent battle. “I’m going to call down and request our breakfast to go.”

“Thanks, beautiful,” Lily said, a more genuine smile on her lips now. She had pulled a floral romper from one of the drawers and nodded to herself before slipping into it whilst Natalie made the phone call.

They made it downstairs quickly, Lily batting off the advances that usually delayed their departure with a laugh and a comment about not getting a good spot on the lawn. Their breakfast had been carefully packed in a basket and a jolly employee handed them a blanket as he greeted them good morning.

“Oh, this is a nice view. Let’s sit here,” Natalie said once they had been walking through the grounds for a couple of minutes. Lily declined, offering up an excuse about it not being the perfect location. This happened another two times before Natalie tugged at Lily’s hand, “Lilypad, what’s going on?”

Lily tried to hide her excitement but her eyes were practically shining. “I know the perfect place!” she said, bouncing on her heels. “Trust me, it’s not much longer.”

“Lead the way then,” Natalie shook her head with a fond smile, before letting herself be taken down the path. It felt like they were walking forever, but it was probably only 5 minutes until they came to some trees forming a border along the neatly cut grass.

“Here?” Natalie questioned, looking around. It was as nice a place as any, but they had passed a thousand places like it.

“Nope,” Lily said, drawing the word out. “We have to go through there,” she added, gesturing to the line of trees. She must have noticed Natalie’s doubting expression because she was quick to reassure her, “I know it seems strange but you're going to love it.”

Natalie hesitated for just a moment but she was always up for an adventure. “Come on then,” she squeezed Lily’s hand and took the lead through the trees.

“Keep going straight ahead. It’s only a couple of minutes from here,” Lily directed.

Just as Natalie was about to voice her concerns, the trees thinned out into a clearing. It was obviously still part of the grounds of the spa; the grass whilst not as manicured as the lawn they had just stepped off was still well maintained. The area was surrounded by trees, albeit thinner than the ones they had just passed through and Natalie could see a walking path on the other side of them.

“I thought we might like a bit of privacy,” Lily whispered, her breath warm against Natalie’s neck.

“Privacy is always good,” Natalie nodded, leaning into the lips pressed on her throat, but they didn’t stay there long.

Lily shook the blanket out ceremoniously before placing it on the ground. “Let’s see what’s for breakfast then!” she said cheerily.

“You’re a tease, Mrs. Potter,” Natalie groaned, settling on the blanket next to Lily.

“Ooo! Pastries,” Lily commented, pulling an array of croissants, chocolate croissants and cinnamon rolls from the basket. She peered inside it again. There was some kind of egg muffin, fruit, and yoghurt, as well as a bottle of orange juice. The sexual tension faded out as Lily spoke casually about a possible upcoming promotion and how Harry was finally looking like he might be ready for potty training. Natalie had all but forgotten the coy comments made earlier as she listened, adding in her stories of the new farmer’s market she had found and the weird new subscriber she had on YouTube.

Lily was fastidious about tidying each item away after it had been consumed, not that it registered as unusual on Natalie’s radar. Lily had always been a organised person, even more so now that she was used to keeping things out of the hands of a curious toddler. Even when Lily moved the basket to the side, swept a few crumbs away and lay down, Natalie figured she was just getting comfortable. Lily propped herself up on her elbow and patted the space in between them, “Come on.”

Lily scooted forward a bit so their bodies were close together. From here, Natalie could see the specks of copper in her green eyes. They were beautiful, much like the rest of her.

“Nat!” Lily laughed, “Are you listening to me?”

Natalie shook her head, not bothering to attempt a lie, “No. Sorry Lilypad, I was getting lost in those eyes of yours.”

Lily laughed again, harder this time. “That is the cheesiest thing I have ever heard,” she said, shoving Natalie’s shoulder. It wasn’t hard but Natalie gave an oof as she fell onto her back. And then Lily was there, so so close, their faces inches apart.

“Hey beautiful,” Lily breathed, brushing a strand of hair from Natalie’s face. "I knew there was a reason I liked this dress," she hummed, snaking her hand up through the gap in the fabric of Natalie's dress.

"Lily Potter," Natalie said, giving a fake gasp. "I thought I was the naughty one," she grinned, leaning up to catch Lily's mouth with her own.

"Well, I can't let you have all the fun now, can I?" Lily smirked, pulling Natalie's lip between her teeth and nipping at it lightly. "There's a present in my pocket for you."

"Oh really? Are you happy to see me?" Natalie teased, huffing out a laugh. She squealed when Lily pinched her thigh, scowling her disapproval. "Hey! You walked right into that,” Natalie defended.

“Fine, no present for you,” Lily joked, sticking her tongue out playfully.

“No, no, no,” Natalie objected, tickling Lily just under her ribs where she knew she was particularly sensitive. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Lily with her head thrown back in laughter, “It’s mine, gimme,” Natalie added with a pout.

“Go on then, left pocket,” Lily allowed.

Natalie reached into the pocket, her eyes widening as her fingers curled around a familiar object. “Is that?” she gasped, although she already knew the answer. The bullet was an old friend.

“I thought we could have some fun. You did say you’d make it up to me, after all,” Lily purred, stroking her fingers up Natalie’s leg until she reached the lace of her underwear.

“May I?” Lily said, her words a whisper against Natalie’s ear. At Natalie’s nod, Lily easily brushed aside the thin fabric, dragging her fingers through the wetness beginning to pool there. She brought her fingers to her mouth and licked at the slick coating them. “You taste so good, Nat. Do you want to taste?”

Natalie groaned and opened her mouth to accept Lily’s fingers, sucking them eagerly. Lily took her fingers away, replacing the digits with her lips. She kissed softly at first and then more insistently, her tongue pressing into Natalie’s mouth eagerly. Natalie could kiss Lily forever, her lips somehow both yielding and eager against her own.

Lily’s hands were everywhere. First tangled in Natalie’s hair, then dipping under the neckline of her dress, sweeping over her pale skin tantalizing close to her hard nipples, but not close enough.

“Lilllly,” Natalie whined faintly, arching her back in the hope that it would be enough to get the touch she wanted.

Lily obliged, caressing her fingers over Natalie’s nipples just so. Before she could savour it, the sensation was gone and Lily was prying the bullet from Natalie’s palm into her own. “Let me take care of you for once,” Lily breathed.

“You’re always taking care of everybody, Lilypad,” Natalie said, reaching up to caress Lily’s cheek.

“Not you,” Lily replied, leaning into the touch. “You’re the one I lean on when everything else feels like it’s going to fall down.”

Natalie traced her fingers over the light scattering of freckles on Lily’s face, “I like taking care of the ones I love,” she hummed.

“I know you do,” Lily said, pressing her lips against Natalie’s jaw, once, twice, three times. “But for now I need you to relax.”

“I am relaxed,” Natalie protested.

Lily licked a stripe down Natalie’s skin until her tongue was pressing against the hollow of her neck. “Not yet you’re not, but you will be,” Lily said, squeezing Natalie’s knee. She shivered as Lily’s hand slid higher, stroking down her hip crease, until at last Lily was pushing aside her underwear once more. “God, you’re soaked,” Lily murmured.

“Let me take these off, bee,” Lily said, tugging at Natalie’s underwear. The nickname was an old one, a shortened version of the ‘Natabee’ that Lily had taken to calling her one night after a few too many cocktails. “I’m going to make you feel so good.”

Natalie lifted her hips, letting Lily slide the underwear down her legs.

“Hold these for me,” Lily said, her voice far too innocent for the request.

“Jesus, Lilypad. You’re killing me,” Natalie whined, but she let Lily push the sodden panties into her hand. She must have looked debauched, lying there with her dress bunched around her waist and clasping her underwear, but she was too far gone to care about any semblance of decency at this point.

"I'm just getting started," Lily teased, drawing Natalie into another kiss. Their tongues were still working against one another when Natalie heard the hum of the vibrator, and seconds later she felt it against her arm. It wasn’t where she was expecting it, but somehow that just made it more erotic.

Lily broke the kiss, sitting upright so that she could press the vibrator against Natalie’s chest, dragging the toy over her exposed skin, finding each sensitive spot.

"Please," Natalie groaned low in her throat as Lily pushed the toy against her nipple, making them grow impossibly harder.

“Patience, ” Lily smirked, tracing the pigmented skin of Natalie's areola. Natalie jerked, unsure of whether she wanted to push into the vibrations or escape them. Just as she thought she was going to go crazy, Lily gave her a few seconds of relief and then the bullet was being dragged along her leg, torturously slow.

Natalie cried out when finally, Lily brought the tip of the vibrator to Natalie's clit.

“Ssh," Lily giggled, pressing her finger to Natalie’s mouth, "you're going to have to be quiet if you don’t want to get caught.” Not a soul had passed in the 45 minutes they had been here already, and even if they had, with Lily's body shielding Natalie's like it was, it would just look like a heated make-out session. Still, there was an extra thrill in the fact that they were outside.

Lily traced the toy around Natalie's folds, letting it linger at her entrance, before bringing the bullet back to her clit again. She was gentle, just barely stroking over the skin in a lazy pattern. Natalie rocked her hips upward, chasing the vibrations.

"Christ. Lily, please," Natalie begged, trying to keep her voice measured.

"Tell me what you want," Lily encouraged, holding the vibrator in place just above Natalie's clit. The sensation was dizzying, making it difficult for Natalie to form a coherent sentence.

"Your fingers," Natalie gasped. "Your fingers please."

"I'm going to need more than that, Bee," Lily said, dragging the bullet lower and pushing gently at Natalie's entrance for just a few seconds, then returning to her clit.

"I need you to fuck me," Natalie whimpered, her normal unflappable self no where to be seen.

"That's better. Remember to stay quiet for me now," Lily cooed, keeping the vibrator steady against her and slipping a finger inside her. Natalie grasped her lip between her teeth to stop her from crying out.

“Good girl,” Lily praised as she added another finger. It wasn’t often that Natalie was on the receiving end of praise and the burst of pride caught her off guard. She hoped she would remember to bring it up later. Lily curled her fingers, finding the spot she was looking for with ease and the thought was ripped from Natalie’s mind.

“I need more,” Natalie groaned and rocked her hips upwards, fucking herself onto the digits. She was gasping; the world felt like it had slowed and the only thing that mattered was the heat spreading at her core.

“So greedy,” Lily teased, but she pushed a third finger in alongside the other two, simultaneously turning up the speed on the vibrator.

“Oh my fuck!” Natalie clamped her hand over her mouth to dull her shouts. She threw her head back, her breathing heavy and Lily’s name a litany on her tongue as Lily doubled down in her efforts. She felt herself begin to clench around the fingers inside her.

“Are you going to come for me, sweet girl?” Lily said, slowly her fingers just enough that Natalie wanted to scream with frustration.

“I didn’t know you were a sadist, Lilypad,” Natalie gasped out, arching her back in an attempt to get more.

“You’re right, I’d be awful. I’m far too nice,” Lily laughed, sliding her fingers from inside Natalie, turning the vibrator off and dropping it to the side. Natalie was about to give a retort about begging to differ, when suddenly Lily’s mouth was sucking her clit enthusiastically, surrounding it in a wet heat.

Natalie writhed under Lily’s ministrations, being held in place by firm hands on her thighs. It didn’t take long before her muscles tightened again, recoiling with an electric heat. She thrashed through her orgasm, her jaw dropping open with a silent scream.

Lily pressed her tongue between Natalie’s soaked folds, lazily licking at the wetness she found there until Natalie keened and pushed at her head. Lily took a moment to right Natalie’s clothing before crawling to lay beside her, flicking aside the long forgotten underwear.

“That was incredible,” Natalie said, pulling Lily closer to her. “I think I might need a nap though.”

Lily swatted at Natalie’s arm playfully, “no, no, no. I was promised a tennis game before we get our mani-pedi done.”

“I promised nothing,” Natalie protested, grabbing Lily’s hand and intertwining their fingers. “Besides, I wasn’t the one that wore me out.”

“How about we rest here for fifteen minutes, then go back to the room to shower and change. We’ll still be able to fit in a game before our appointment and after that, we can film your video and I won’t complain once?” Lily suggested, bringing their joined hands to her mouth to press a kiss to them.

Natalie laughed, “You drive a hard bargain, Potter. We’ll see.”

“And then this evening, I do believe you said you would introduce me to our double - ended friend,” Lily added with a nonchalance betrayed by a slight blush on her cheeks. She was by no means a prude, but the forwardness was a new experiment, that Natalie happened to be enjoying very much.

“Fuck, Lilypad,” Natalie grinned, “what has gotten into you?

#Natalie Darcy #Lily Potter #Sweater Weather #Lumosinlove #18+#Rating: E #food talk

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tauremornalome · 3 years

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tagged by the amazing @thiswaycomessomethingwicked (go check out their writing!) in the First Line game

The rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line.

tagging: @alessandriana, @ajcrawly, @simaraknows, @koscheyyy, @selkiebinch, @writingat-night and anyone else who wants to do it!

The problems with my writing being 1. that a lot of it is embarrassing historical hetalia stuff, 2. that i hardly ever write with the intention of publishing, it turns out that often my fics don’t have a set fist line? cos they tend to come in the form of a collection of loose self indulgent little scenes. So this is definitely not going to be 20 of them. Untranslated Polish versions in the brackets.

1. wildfires and weeds (mdzs, wen ning & jiang cheng, vaguely pre-slash): Courtesy of Wen Ning's heightened fierce corpse senses, and Jiang-zongzhu's being likewise sharp thanks to his high level of cultivation, they manage not to run into each other even when they find themselves in the same general places at the same time - official joint nighthunts mostly, these days, since Jiang Wanyin has enough political awareness and faith in his nephew's abilities not to follow him on the more private ones.

2. provisional title “spiderman meme lol” (legend of fei, xie yun/zhou fei/wu chuchu pining): After parting with Yin Pei and burying Ji Yunchen the three of them leave together, and Xie Yun - well, he already knew he was absolutely, irrevocably fucked, but it takes him another two days to notice that he is not alone in his misery.

3. the crack-treated-seriously heist fic (mdzs, jiang cheng & jin guangyao): He had already sealed the room shut months before, so he didn't toss the damn flute along with the last shards of his sanity there when he first came back from the siege, broken and bloodied and still furious.

4. Najjaśniejsza, Serenissima, Świetlejszaja (historical hetalia, poland & grand duke constantin): "Ha!" The duke gestured wildly with his open hands. "I am a fool, Kuruta is a fool, and so you are a fool, too, Felya, even though you have yet to learn to admit it." [- No! - Wielki książę uderzył się dłońmi w uda. - Ja durak, Kuruta durak, i ty też durak, Felja, tylkoś się jeszcze nie nauczył przyznawać do tego.]

5. Pour Away The Ocean (tma, lonelyeyes): The Apocalypse nearing or not (oh, it's coming alright: he knows Jon will get the statements soon, so it's a matter of what? days?), it would be a shame to refuse a rarity that is an actual invitation to a Lukas family funeral. The last Lukas family funeral to ever be held, perhaps, though he doubts the hosts know about that. Peter had never been an overly sharing conversationalist.

6. untitled anti-dior rebellion fic (the silmarillion, doriath after thingol’s death): The change can be felt at the exact moment when the door to Lady Melian's chamber closes behind Mablung, the king's dead body in his arms, and everyone seems to understand immediately what it means. It is as if the thin thread bonding the queen to the mortal world broke, cut on the edge of that door-frame. The last time Lalorniel left the Girdle’s protection was before the first sunrise and now, several hundred years later, the feeling of being exposed to the whole world throws her off her tracks. She looks to the side and sees that Medlindir felt it too, and she wants to reach to him with her mind, but she doesn't - the world around them has suddenly gotten very big and some irrational part of her fears her fae could get lost in it. [Zmianę czuć już w momencie, w którym za niosącym skrwawione ciało króla Mablungiem zamykają się drzwi komnaty Meliany - i każdy chyba od razu rozumie, co to znaczy. Zupełnie jakby to nić wiążąca królową ze światem cielesnym pękła, rozcięta tą framugą. Lalorniel poza Obręczą bywała ostatnio jeszcze w czasach przed pierwszym wschodem słońca i teraz, po kilkuset latach przerwy, uczucie bycia odkrytym przed całym światem wytrąca ją na dłuższą chwilę z rytmu. Zerka w bok i widzi, że pełniący razem z nią straż Medlindir też to odczuł, i odruchowo chce sięgnąć do niego myślą, ale nie robi tego - świat wokół stał się nagle za duży i irracjonalnie boi się, że jej fae mogłaby się w nim zgubić.]

7. dwóch ołowianych żołnierzyków (historical rpf, prince poniatowski): Years later those who choose to believe this sort of thing will be telling stories of a ghost that supposedly visited the prince one night in March of the year 1813. An angel with black-and-white magpie wings. Unnamed white lady from the portraits covering the walls of the Copper-Roof Palace. [Lata później ci, którzy wierzą w takie rzeczy, będą opowiadać historie o zjawie, która miała się księciu ktorejś marcowej nocy roku 1813 ukazać. Anioł o czarno-białych sroczych skrzydłach. Bezimienna biała dama z portretu wiszącego w jednym z pokojów Pałacu pod Blachą.]

8. provisional title “DepTaj Margrabiego!” (the year 1861 in warsaw except its set in a harry potter-style ministry of magic. don’t ask me.): The margrave transfigured his bed back into an armchair and gestured with his wand at the coffee machine, praying quietly for someone up there to send them some kopi luwak with the next supply package. [Margrabia przetransmutował łóżko z powrotem w fotel i machnął różdżką na ekspres do kawy, modląc się w duchu o to, aby ktoś na zewnątrz był na tyle domyślny, żeby w następnej paczce nadesłać zapas kopi luwak.]

9. the year 1861 in warsaw again except now there is a zombie apocalypse going on (once again, don’t ask me. ocs and some hetalia elements.): "Swear," Sergey hisses with fury as he struggles to push the heavy dresser. [- Przysięgajcie - syczy Siergiej wściekle, szarpiąc się z ciężkim kredensem.]

10. time will say nothing (historical hetalia, poland/france/pauline bonaparte): Pauline is the one to fall asleep first, as always, not wearing anything else over her thin nightgown - so it can be expected that she will usurp all of the bedsheets to herself during the night. Feliks, who lies in the middle, succumbs to sleep soon after, his face turned to France, mumbling some apologies about not having the energy to move to the other bedroom, which earned him a soothing shush from François. [Paulina zasypia, jak zazwyczaj, pierwsza, nie zarzuciwszy na cienką koszulę nocną drugiej warstwy ubrania - można więc spodziewać się, że w ciągu nocy zauzurpuje sobie całą kołdrę. Leżący pośrodku Feliks pogrąża się we śnie niedługo po niej, twarzą zwrócony w stronę Francji, wymamrotawszy przedtem jakieś przeprosiny za to, że nie ma siły przenieść się do drugiej sypialni, na co François uciszył go uspokajająco.]

11. Minąwszy przeznaczeń mielizny (oc, hetalia-adjacent): Sergey wakes up with his cheek pressed to the travel briefcase, a little surprised with the fact that he had apparently managed to fall asleep despite the train's hellishly loud noises. The curtains in his compartment are closed, but he knows that outside it must be even more dark than in here - nothing less should be expected in this part of the world in December. [Siergiej budzi się z policzkiem przyciśniętym do teczki podróżnej, lekko zaskoczony faktem, że oto jednak udało mu się zasnąć w hałasującym niemiłosiernie pociągu. Zasłony w przedziale są zaciągnięte, ale wie, że na dworze musi być jeszcze ciemniej niż w środku - niczego innego nie należy się spodziewać w grudniu w tej części świata.]

I am very fond of the opening lines to the doriath fic and the zombie fic (there is a dialogue happening as they are barricading the door and running up the stairs). As for the patterns, I already knew I had the Sentences Too Goddamn Long Disease, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I also like to open with dialogues, which might not be very visible here, but is objectively the truth. This list sadly does not include my 30 minutes shitpost drabbles (which are mostly crack hetalia anyway).

#l9 #oof

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daisylincs · 3 years

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My WIPs

Updated 12/04/2021

The hearts system I had on the previous version of this just... wasn't working anymore as I added more and more ships, so I decided to redo it, and as easily understandably as I could: numerically. Pairings will be denoted in brackets at the end of each WIP title/working title. An asterisk * means it's a series.

With this new system, if you want to yell at me to write a WIP/are intrigued and want to hear what it's about/or just want to let me know how utterly insane I am, you can just drop it's number into my inbox with whatever you want to say and, bingo. (By the way, you are always welcome to do any of the listed activities, anytime. This is your open invitation 🥰💜)

1x06 AU [Zoey/Max]

5 Times The Avengers Played Matchmaker, and 1 Time It Worked (Sort Of) [Clintasha, Avengers Team Dynamic]

A Hero's Reward [Staticquake]

Academy Era Rom-Com [Fitzsimmons]

Affectionate Arguments/Take Care Of Yourself Fic [Dousy]

Ah Crap, My Ex Just Walked In, v1 [Fitzsimmons]

Ah Crap, My Ex Just Walked In, v2 [Staticquake]

Ah Crap, My Ex Just Walked In, v3 [Spideychelle]

Al Birthday Fic [Huntingbird]

all my loves [FitzSimmonsStaticQuake]

all the stars in the skye [Daisy-centric, plat!Philindaisy]

always the same pattern, love [Huntingbird]

Alya Fluff and First Words Fic [Fitzsimmons, FS Fam]

and i and i risk it all for this life we share [Staticquake]

and i held your hand through all of these years [Maggie/Mitch, Zoey & Maggie]

Angsty Hair Ficlet [Fitzsimmons] spotlighted here

Angsty Post-Hive Recovery Fic [Staticquake] spotlighted here

AoS Frozen AU [plat!Skimmons, Fitzsimmons, plat!Fitzskimmons]

AoS Harry Potter AU [Staticquake, Fitzsimmons, plat!Fitzskimmons, plat!Philindaisy, minor Philinda]

AoS Merlin AU [plat!FitzDaisy, Fitzsimmons, plat!Fitzskimmons, plat!Philindaisy, brief Staticquake, implied Daisy/Raina]

Arguing About Whether Or Not Skye Likes Disney Movies [Fitzsimmons]

Arranged Marriage AU [Spideychelle] spotlighted here

august sipped away like a bottle of wine [Zoey/Max]

auld lang syne [Fitzsimmons, FS Fam]

barcelona, baby [TripDaisy]

Beach Flangst [Dekesy]

Best Friends But She's In A Bad Relationship AU [Staticquake]

Best Friends' Wedding AU [Huntingbird, background Fitzsimmons]

Bittersweet Framework What-If Fic [Staticquake]

Birdie Birthday Fic [Simmorse, Jemma & Bobbi & May]

blonde [Huntingbird]

Blow Us All Away* [Staticquake]

blue-eyed [plat!Skimmons, minor Fitzsimmons, minor Staticquake]

Bobbi Birthday Fic #1 [Clintasha]

Bobbi Birthday Fic #2 [Dousy]

Bodyguard AU [Simmorse]

Brogrammers + Truth or Dare [Zoey/Max, Leif/Tobin]

'cause you're out of this world [Pipsy]

Carnival/Friends AU [FitzStaticQuake]

Childhood Friends AU [Staticquake]

Childhood Best Friends, v1 [BioStaticQuake]

Childhood Best Friends, v2 [Mackelena]

Church Camp AU [Mackelena]

Coffee Shop AU [Dekesy]

Coffee Shop/Baristas AU [Pipsy]

Coming Out Fic [Skimmons] spotlighted here

Concert Canon Divergence Fic [Dekesy]

cute clueless moron [Spideychelle]

Cute, Dorky Friendship Idea [Spideychelle]

Cute Family Zoo Prompt [Fitzsimmons, FS Fam]

darling just dive right in [Staticquake]

darling just kiss me slow [Staticquake]

Dating Confuzzlement [FitzSimmonsStaticQuake]

day's eye [Daisy-centric, Dousy, Staticquake, Pipsy, Dekesy, Skimmons, TripDaisy, MorseCode, FitzDaisy, Daisy & Jiaying & Cal, Daisy & Team]

don’t ask me where i’ve been, or what i’m gonna do (just know that i’m here with you) [Staticquake]

dot dash dot dot [StaticMorseCode]

Danny Boy & Quake* [Dousy, Astro Ambassadors, Daisy & Team]

Deke Angst/Introspection Fic [one-sided Dekesy, plat!Dekesy, Dousy, Deke & Team]

Drunk Kiss Fic [Dekesy]

Emma AU [Staticquake]

every day in between [Staticquake]

Fairytale (Sleeping Beauty) AU [Staticquake]

Fake Dating Friends To Lovers [Spideychelle]

Fake Dating For Crushes’ Attention [Zoey/Max]

Fake Dating Partyfic [Staticquake]

Fight Fight Kiss [Joan/Ava]

Flower Shop AU [Staticquake]

Fluff and Teasing Fic [Dekesy, Fitzsimmons]

Fluffy Best Friends Idea [Staticquake, Fitzsimmons]

Fluff Bingo: Affectionate Teasing [plat!Diper, implied Pipsy]

Fluff Bingo: Back Rubs [Dousy]

Fluff Bingo: Baking Cookies [Mayrobin]

Fluff Bingo: Friends to Lovers [Mackelena]

Fluff Bingo: Falling Asleep On Your Shoulder [Simmorse]

Fluff Bingo: First Kiss [Fitzsimmons]

Fluff Bingo: Forehead Kisses [Karaina]

Fluff Bingo: Dancing [TripDaisy]

Fluff Bingo: Holding Hands [Fitztripskimmons]

Fluff Bingo: It's Cold, Have My Jacket [Philinda]

Fluff Bingo: Meet-Cute [Fitzhunter]

Fluff Bingo: Pet Names [Vicizzy]

Fluff Bingo: Snuggling [MorseCode]

Fluff Bingo: Stargazing [Pipsy]

Fluff Bingo: Tickling [Philindaisy] spotlighted here

FitzDaisy Recovery Fic [plat!FitzDaisy, background Fitzsimmons, background FS Fam] teased here

FitzsimmonsSparks Fic [Fitz & Jemma & Lincoln, Fitzsimmons, background Staticquake]

Gloria Birthday/Thank-You Ficlet [Spideychelle]

good old shake 'n bake [Staticquake, Daisy & Team, Lincoln & Team]

getting to know you, getting to know all about you [Dousy] spotlighted here

Grace Birthday Fic [Staticquake]

Grieving Fic [Past Staticquake]

Happy Family Holiday Fic [AoS Team Dynamic, Staticquake, Fitzsimmons, Huntingbird, Philinda, Mackelena]

heads on a science apart [Spideychelle, Fitzsimmons, Peter & MJ & Fitz & Jemma] spotlighted here

High School AU Idea [Staticquake]

High School AU/Dreamy Sleepover Fic [Pipsy]

Hive Toilet Fic [Staticquake, Daisy & Team]

Hospital Fluff & Flirting AU [Staticquake]

Hotel Room AU [Staticquake]

i live for you (soulmates AU) [Staticquake]

i never knew you were the someone waiting for me [Staticquake]

i’ll find my way through night and day [Staticquake]

it’s a better place since you came along [Quakerider]

Jade Arrow [Clintasha] spotlighted here

Jemma & Lincoln Post-Maveth [plat!Bioshock, background Staticquake, background Fitzsimmons]

Julia Birthday Fic [plat!Maydaisy, plat!Morsecode]

just let your heart be free (you’ve got a friend in me) [Staticquake]

Kate Birthday Fic [Fitzsimmons]

Laura Birthday Fic [Fitzsimmons]

lights will guide you home [Staticquake, Lincoln & Team]

like an old married couple [Philinda, background Vicizzy]

Lincoln & The Team Bonding Fic [Lincoln & Team, background Staticquake]

lunch break [Fitzsimmons]

Maggie Birthday Fic [Fitzsimmons, plat!FitzDaisy]

marleyward01 Birthday Fic [Fitzsimmons]

marvelthismarvelthat Birthday Fic [Staticquake]

MayLincoln Friendship Fic [plat!Mayshock, background Staticquake]

Media Nonsense Fic [Spideychelle]

meet me half-way [Huntingbird]

Michelle Jones, Agent of SHIELD [Spideychelle] spotlighted here

Michelle Jones, Inhuman [Spideychelle]

Mission Kiss Canon Divergence Fic [Dekesy]

Mission/Partners Fic

Modern Royalty Fic, v1 [Staticquake]

Modern Royalty Fic, v2 [Staticquake]

Modern Royalty Fic, v3 [Fitzsimmons, Dekesy]

Musical (West Side Story) AU [Staticquake]

my heart will go on [Staticquake]

Natalia [Clintasha]

Ness Birthday Fic [Philinda, plat!Philindaisy]

(Not A) Double Date [Dekesy, Fitzsimmons]

No Hive AU [Daisy & Team, Staticquake, Fitzsimmons, Huntingbird, Philinda, Mackelena]

No Chill, Nowhere (Biohunter for Libby and Al) [Biohunter]

Not That Girl Anymore [Staticquake, past Skyeward]

ooh, la la la* [Staticquake, Fitzsimmons]

Oh God Not You [Joan/Ava]

oh, when you kiss me [Spideychelle]

on the train to Glasgow [Huntingfitzskimmons]

PDA [Staticquake, Daisy & Team]

Pitch Perfect AU [Staticquake, background Simmorse]

Post-Hive Pregnancy Fic [Staticquake] spotlighted here

Potential Al Birthday Fic, Still TBD [Scis & Spies]

Potential T Birthday Fic, Still TBD [Pipsy, plat!Diper, Huntingbird]

put that body on me [Staticquake]

Post-3x10 Who Owes Who Fic [Staticquake, Fitzsimmons, Huntingbird, Philinda, Daisy & Team]

quakeout [Daisy-centric, past Staticquake]

Rain Fic [Staticquake]

Red Thread [Staticquake]

Regency AU: Marriage of Convenience [Staticquake]

Regency AU: Arranged Marriage [Staticquake]

reluctantly perfect [Quakerider]

remember that with every piece of you [Staticquake]

rollercoaster [Huntingbird]

Rom-Com AU [Staticquake]

Rom-Dram To Co-Write With Kat [LemonStaticQuake]

Royalty Shenanigans Fic [Staticquake]

Roommates AU [Clintasha, Avengers Team Dynamic]

S1 Crush Fic [Skimmons]

Roommates/Best Friends AU [Simmorse]

S3 AU - Daisy, Inhuman Leader [Daisy & Team, Daisy & Afterlife Inhumans, Staticquake]

S3 AU - Lincoln With SHIELD All Along [Staticquake, Lincoln & Team]

Scarlet Birthday Fic [Quakerider]

Serena Birthday Fic [Pipsy, Simmorse, Philinda, plat!Philindaisy]

Shake ‘n Bake: A YouTube Romance [Staticquake]

Second Child Fluff and First Words Fic [Fitzsimmons, FS Fam]

Shippy Team Mistletoe Fic [AoS Team Dynamic, Staticquake, Fitzsimmons, Huntingbird, Mackelena, Philinda]

Shippy SPRQPoint Partyfic [Zoey/Max, Joan/Ava, Leif/Tobin]

Shippy Team Snowfic [AoS Team Dynamic, Staticquake, Fitzsimmons, Huntingbird, Mackelena, Philinda]

Singers AU [Dekesy]

Sky’s the Limit* [Staticquake, Daisy & Team, Lincoln & Team]

Skaters AU [Staticquake]

Snowed In Fic [Staticquake]

so baby i’m alright, with just a kiss goodnight [Staticquake]

Soft Family Fic from Chloe Interview [AoS Team Dynamic, Staticquake, Fitzsimmons, Huntingbird, Mackelena, Philinda]

some dreams do come true [Staticquake]

Soul Realm [Staticquake]

Soulmark AU, v1 [BioStaticQuake]

Soulmark AU, v2 [Fitzsimmons]

Soulmark AU, v3 [Huntingbird]

Soulmark AU, v4 [Staticquake]

Soulmate AU, v1 [Fitzsimmons]

Soulmate AU, v2 [Huntingbird]

Soulmate AU, v3 [LegacyStaticQuake]

Soulmate AU, v4 [Mackelena]

Soulmate AU, v5 [Philinda]

Soulmate AU, v6 [Skimmons]

Stardust AU [Staticquake]

Stranded-Somewhere-Cold Ficlet [Staticquake]

T Birthday Fic [Dousy, background Huntingbird]

Teach Me To Fight, Parker [Spideychelle] spotlighted here

Teasing/Introspection Fic [Dousy, Fitzsimmons]

The Blue Door (Notting Hill AU) [Huntingbird]

the daughter of thunder and lightning [Staticquake]

the earth shook and the sky flashed [Staticquake]

The Holiday AU [Huntingbird, Fitzsimmons] spotlighted here

The Hospital Meet-Cute #1 [Bioshock]

The Hospital Meet-Cute #2 [Bioshock]

The Hospital Meet-Cute #3 [Bioshock]

The Hospital Meet-Cute #4 [Bioshock]

The Hospital Meet-Cute #5 [Bioshock]

The Hospital Meet-Cute #6 [Bioshock]

The Hospital Meet-Cute #7 [Bioshock]

the ride [Huntingbird]

The Secret Warriors [Daisy & Lincoln & Elena & Joey, Staticquake, Mackelena, Kevey] The Perfect Fairytale* [Fitzsimmons]

the she to my 'nanigans [plat!Skimmons]

the stunning adventures of shake, bake and quake [Philinda, plat!Philindaisy]

The Team Ships It [Fitzsimmons]

then through the shadows, your light appears [Mackelena]

this little light of mine [Mackelena]

took my heart upon a one-way trip [Staticquake]

Time Travel Thingy [LemonStaticQuake]

time, wondrous time [Fitzsimmons, plat!Fitzdaisy, background Philinda, background Dekesy]

'tis the damn season [Skimmons, plat!Philindaisy, background Mackelena, background Huntingbird] Chapter 1-3 out now

TV Show AU [Staticquake, background Fitzsimmons, background Huntingbird, background Philinda]

Us Against The World [plat!Skimmons, plat!Fitzskimmons, Fitzsimmons]

Walls Come Down Fic [Pipsy]

V Birthday Fic [Huntingbird]

Watching Hamilton AU [Staticquake]

Wedding Bets [Fitzsimmons, Daisy & Team]

well that works [Quakerider, Fitzsimmons]

What-Ifs* [Staticquake]

when did it all fall to pieces (can’t we build it back) [Huntingbird]

you are the best thing that's ever been mine [Staticquake]

you’d be the one i was meant to find [Staticquake]

you’ll be my lady [Skimmons]

you're just my cup of tea [Simmorse]

you're the two [LegacyStaticQuake]

Z Birthday Fic [Philinda, Vicizzy, Huntingbird]

ZoeyJess Idea [Zoey/Jessica]

#my wips #my insanity #my writing #<333

25 notes · View notes

xx-thedarklord-xx · 4 years

Note

Hi! In a, recent ask, you mentioned a Fae Draco fic you were writing a while ago. Is that (or a different fae fic) something you ever finished? I'd love to read it!

Hello! I have not finished that story. I do want to though if people are interested! I can give you some snippets as the next best thing

“Care to give me your name?” The Fae asked, eyes still taking in the sight of Harry, but that wasn’t going to distract him.

Harry snorted harshly. “If you think I will fall for a trick like that, you are mistaken.”

They were quick-witted in the question, and Harry had to admire how easily others would have fallen for such a simple ruse. Just saying his name would grant the stranger all kinds of control over his very being—let alone give the Fae his name. That would have guaranteed Harry would never make it out of here, they would have complete control over him.

A pleased smile took the place of a smirk and Harry wished that the distinction wasn’t muddying his mind.

“Then perhaps something I can call you?” The top right wing fluttered enough that it touched Harry’s shoulder. The action causing his skin to react to the magic freely flowing outward.

“Potter, that’s what you can call me,” Harry said, eyes riveted to the wing that was still touching him.

“Potter,” the Fae purred, noise rumbling around them in an unnatural way. “You can call me Malfoy.”

---

A distinctive heartbeat had Harry’s breath catching as he turned rapidly, eyes not ready to believe what his senses were telling him.

“I must admit, I didn’t anticipate this would be what Vampires do when they celebrate.” The silky drawl was just as pompous as it had been eighty years ago, but Harry welcomed it.

“Malfoy.” Harry watched the shimmering wings twitch as Malfoy’s second heart skipped a beat. “I didn’t expect to see you again.”

“You wound me,” Malfoy whispered as he took a step closer, smirk quirking up at the corners. “As if I could stay away from my favourite Vampire.”

Harry rolled his eyes as he ignored the curious looks being sent their way. “Eighty years is a long time to miss your favourite Vampire.”

“Has it been that long?” There was a mischievousness in silver eyes, and Harry hated that it was singular to Malfoy—a look he hadn’t managed to see elsewhere. “Seems like only yesterday.”

---

“This will never do.”

“Cease your zoilistic ways, this will do just fine.”

Draco watched the mortals argue amongst themselves. Two Witches and two Wizards. The influx of magic had first ignited his curiosity, but it was their bickering that fueled his desire to stay.

“Insult me one more time, Godric. You won’t like the outcome.”

A short jovial burst of laughter had Draco narrowing his eyes. The wizards were strange.

“Hush, the both of you. Salazar, the grounds will be sufficient. Godric, don’t bait Salazar.”

When both Wizards turned to a tall woman with hair as wild as her aura, and a smile far more genuine than Draco could remember seeing on a human, he rolled his eyes at the way their shoulders slumped.

“Aye Helga.” The man named Godric grumbled as his bottom lip extended outward and his eyes looked to the floor.

“This is supposed to be where we reside?” Salazar asked, sneer in place and a scoff following when Helga nodded curtly.

“We want to offer a haven for those who have none, Salazar. That requires space, privacy and the chance to expand. Pray tell me where you will find that in populated areas?” The unknown woman asked, hair hidden underneath a pointed hat. She stood rigidly, unlike Helga, but more in line with Salazar.

When Salazar said nothing, Godric threw his arm around Salazar’s shoulders as a hand gestured towards barren land. “I think this looks like our dreams.”

“I think it looks like our future,” Helga added, both arms stretched outwards as her smile grew larger.

“I think it looks like disappointment,” Salazar said, causing Draco to withhold a snort.

“I think it looks like we are being watched.”

---

“Vampires should only drink from those without magic.”

“Everyone has magic,” Malfoy contradicted, hair twirling around his arm as he turned dramatically.

Harry rolled his eyes. “Technically speaking, yes. But I meant in large quantities. Muggles are my preference.”

Malfoy’s nose wrinkled as his lips quirked dowarnd. “Such a shame. Have you ever… had.. a Fae?”

The innuendo had Harry sighing but also smiling despite himself. “No, on both counts.”

“Mmm,” Malfoy exhaled breathlessly. “That truly is a shame.”

“Are you offering?” Harry asked, both brows lifting curiously.

Harry watched Malfoy’s wings flutter rapidly, listened to the second heart thump out of sync, and braced himself for what would surely change his immediate future.

“I think that I am,” Malfoy mumbled before falling slowly in front of Harry, pale neck offered ostentatiously.

“It would be unwise to take from you.”

“Body or blood?” There was a smile in Malfoy’s tone, and Harry wished it didn’t tempt him.

“Both.”

“If it’s freely given, then why do you protest?”

“I have magic,” Harry admitted, the secret leaving his lips far easier than he hoped.

Malfoy bracketed his knees on either side of Harry’s lap as he arched one brow. “I know. I can taste it.”

“Taste?” Harry asked, unable to tilt his head back as Malfoy’s face loomed closer. Figuratively, escape seemed futile, but Harry wasn’t weak-willed in body or spirit--if he truly wanted to leave, Malfoy would be in for a fight.

“If I was any other Fae, I would have long ago tasted your flesh,” Malfoy whispered, second heart speeding up, the only sign that Malfoy wasn’t as in control as he portrayed.

“I do not know the call of blood as you do, but I do know the call of your magic, Potter. You would surely be a meal worth feasting, but one that soon would turn into a distant memory. I want you alive.”

Harry couldn’t look away from Malfoy’s eyes as they shifted colours minutely. “You desire my magic?”

“Your magic, your flesh, your body.”

The slightly elevated but still steady pulse had Harry biting a lip as it showed Malfoy’s honesty. There was no lie detected.

“My council would not approve.” Understatement. Their rigid old beliefs would not see eye to eye with any cohabitation. A hypocrisy, for sure.

Malfoy narrowed his eyes as his wings fluttered angrily. “You dislike your council.”

Harry wasn’t sure how Malfoy knew that, but he wasn’t going to pretend it was false. “Your people would not approve.”

“I dislike my people.”

#Asked and Answered #Sam Answers #Drarry #Vampire Harry #Fae Draco

184 notes · View notes

halothenthehorns · 3 years

Text

All in the Family

Chapter 27: The Writing on the Wall

It was admittedly a relief to still find themselves inside the familiar stone corridors of Hogwarts, even if the moment they were dropped into was quite horrifying to find in their school.

"Is, is that blood?" Pettigrew squeaked in protest, quickly backing away from the wall, his eyes flickering to the nearest torch bracket. Even though he'd half expected it, he still almost screamed at the sight of Mrs. Norris hanging there.

"This place has gone mad," Potter breathed behind him, he looked likely to be sick as he jumped forward and dragged his friend farther away. "Who, who would-"

"Not even we hated Filch and his cat that much," Sirius agreed, keeping his back firmly against the wall.

Regulus stayed right where he was at the far end of the corridor, wishing more every moment he could leave it altogether, especially as he caught sight of where the book was.

Pettigrew must have as well, as he swallowed hard and looked back at his mate still holding tight to his shoulder. "I'll give you one guess where that book landed."

He reached up and patted his hand, perhaps even squeezed it for a moment as if to reassure, and then slowly and carefully went back and plucked the book before the flames could lick at the pages where it sat just above where the cats tail was wedged in.

He quickly darted back to his friends side with a relieved sigh, but didn't immediately feel up to turning it open. "What do you think is happening here James?"

"Don't know," he said so quietly it was almost impossible to hear from so far away. "I've got a bad feeling Harry's going to find out though." He had his back turned to all of them now, eyes trained on the corner he could no more pass. Regulus suddenly realized how vulnerable he was, with the four Marauders clumped up down there, and the other three crowded in front of a door and across from the threatening, still glistening letters. He again glanced down the empty hallway, flickering with shadows of an empty castle, and almost wished that the story would dump them in that time instead. At least they'd be surrounded by other students and teachers, rather than eight teenagers having to figure all this out alone.

Pettigrew began in a taut voice of Filch arriving to discover the same as them, and his reaction was as vivid as it was sad to hear. He didn't particularly care for the caretaker more than anyone else, but he'd certainly never prayed upon his cat for such a vengeful reason as killing it like someone in this castle would some day.

"I suppose this rules Filch out as a suspect," Remus muttered more for something else to hear other than death threats being issued by Filch. He was eyeing the door Longbottom, Smith, and Evans were now trying to open, but having no more success than any before. Instead his eyes began examining the scene, hoping for some clue as to what happened here.

"Never thought of him as a possibility," Sirius needlessly agreed.

They both relaxed just a fraction when Peter kept going on into the teachers arriving, and Dumbledore taking control of the scene at once. Despite already having been in Lockhart's office and not wanting a repeat experience, even that would have felt better than hanging around in a corridor with a dead cat.

Until their headmaster passed along the news this was not so.

"Petrified?" Longbottom echoed, to confirm he'd heard as much. "What on earth can do that?"

"A few things," Remus couldn't help himself prattling off at once his knowledge of beasts. "Certain arachnid venom, gorgons, a few spells-"

"So, are we still in danger from any of that?" Evans cut in with a look that wasn't quite hopeful, but looked more like she wanted to be.

"Nah," Sirius decided, clearly bolstering up some false bravado now that it was clear the threat at least didn't seem to be upon them soon.

"Sirius, this is not a nah kind of situation!" Remus protested, swatting him upside the head.

"And what is, pray tell?" Sirius demanded back as he rubbed at the spot while smirking at his friend. "I find this a perfectly good time to try and enjoy life, while we still have it!"

"Shut up Black!" Frank snapped at once.

"Be real Longbottom," the other returned with a haughty sneer. "If this pattern continues, I'll bet my house we're going to end up in the presence of whatever did this," he gestured needlessly at the cat.

"Not necessarily," Alice insisted, looking to Evans to support her theory. "Not if a person did this, we haven't seen another human since all this started. So, as long as it was a wizard that's somehow done this-"

"What person do you know that petrifies an old man's cat for fun?" Lupin protested, turning on the two of them to defend his friend, even though he himself had just scolded him. "I'm sorry I even said that, there must be something running around the castle that's doing this. If a person wanted to go after Filch, they'd take him, not his cat."

"I don't think so," Evans sided with the other two, "it must be a person orchestrating all of this, and just because we don't know of the magic yet doesn't mean it's not possible. We don't run around this place thinking we own it," she finished viciously.

Peter looked between his friends and the other group before deciding to hurry along before he was asked to voice his opinion. Personally, he hoped they were right, and feared his friends were instead.

Regulus kept himself, and his opinions, out of this for now. Even as he felt he had a bit more to the answer, it was nothing concrete. He well remembered a story his mother had told him about the Chamber of Secrets, and of a horror spoken within said to be Slytherin's own monster. He didn't know if Sirius even remembered the same, his brother had never been very good paying attention to their mothers stories. He had no more idea than anyone else though what it could all mean, or even if it was a valid threat. Anyone, like that Malfoy kid, could have done this themselves just to get a scare out of the school, but he didn't think that likely, especially as Potter asked of his friends;

"Think my kid's nuts?" He spoke softly though, true worry in his voice for why a child of his would be hearing voices.

"No," all three of his friends assured him at once.

"It's not as if he's Sirius', then the poor thing wouldn't have a chance," Pettigrew poked fun.

"Harry didn't tell the teachers he heard the voice for the same reason none of us would, they would call him crazy," Lupin more lightly pacified. "We know that Harry's telling the truth though, so there must be some explanation."

"Besides going off to live in a madhouse, like mine," his brother agreed.

Regulus scowled but chose to ignore his brother and try to understand how Harry hearing such a thing could fit into all of this.

Lily listened uneasily as she questioned the same, and didn't have quite the same conviction some child of Potter's wasn't just a tad loony, but hearing voices didn't seem to be one of the issues with that. Instead she turned to Alice and Frank and asked, "why do you think we've been locked out of a bathroom of all places? That's never happened before." They'd been lucky a fair few times now to stumble across one of those about as often as food, and she'd been hoping their luck would hold.

"Perhaps the castle's doing us a favor, that's Moaning Myrtle's bathroom after all," Alice shrugged.

Upon hearing that Filch had not been able to clear the words from the wall, Frank uneasily stepped forward, and gave the script a prod with his wand. Nothing happened, so he tried a few different spells, and he could no more erase it with magic than with Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover. Knowing he wouldn't dare do this under normal circumstances, but curiosity very much getting the better of him, he instead used a more powerful bit of magic and gouged some of the stone wall right from the letter C, which finally came free.

"Frank!" Alice gasped in protest as he went back over to them, twisting the bit of smooth stone this way and that in the light.

"I want to know what this is," he insisted without remorse. "That's quite some powerful magic used to get it up there."

"They could have just wrote it up there and used a permanent sticking charm," Evans pointed out.

"No, I don't think so," he hesitated for a moment before pulling his dragon-hide gloves out of his pocket, now thankful for his mothers paranoia of instilling he wear them while brewing any potion. He slipped them on and rubbed his finger vigorously against the red mark, and still nothing happened, though this time he hadn't really been expecting it too. "I think this is blood, but of what kind I can't imagine."

"There's not a lot of creatures whose blood is like that," Lupin spoke up quietly from behind them, and they all turned in surprise, not having realized he'd come forward to speak to them, but having watched Longbottom had piqued his curiosity.

"You know which ones do?" Frank asked, genuine curiosity mixed in with some weariness, he'd never had a pleasant interaction with a Marauder before this.

"Sure," he agreed, the troubled lines on his face making him look older than his years should. Up close they all noticed how pale his skin was in the dim lighting and his unusually grey bangs, though not many people really got close enough to notice or care about such details, he spent too much time with people the school was more than happy to leave a wide berth. "If I'm right though, we're going to have a problem."

"This school is full of wankers!" Potters protest cut in, and Lupin looked back up and around curiously as if he'd forgotten what they'd just been talking about. "How could any of them think my son would be the heir of Slytherin!"

Lupin went back over with an exasperated expression in place, and Lily wondered if his friends ever grew as tired of Potters theatrics as she did. Who cared what the school thought about one lone student? She wanted to call Lupin back over and demand he finish whatever he'd been fixing to say, if he had an idea of what had put that blood up there he should share it.

She'd misread his expression though, Remus was just as exasperated as his friends for this student population even considering such a thing. He happily went back over to the fold of his friends and snarked right along with James and Sirius, albeit under his breath so only the three of them could hear, as Peter kept going right up to Binns's class.

The history lesson Binns offered over the subject was probably one of the most interesting things to ever actually happen in that class, and it was quite depressing they couldn't enjoy young Hermione making this possible considering the topic. They all felt too bad for Harry immediately after the fact, the kid actually trying to convince himself of what the school thought. James was no more related to Slytherin than any other pureblood, and they all wished they could be there to tell him as much.

Regulus finally listened back in with interest again as the kids circled back to this location again to search for clues. He couldn't imagine they'd find any with so much time passing after the fact, but with his eyes still flickering between the open corridor and the dead cat, he certainly had his fingers crossed they would. Sadly, scorch marks and spiders meant nothing to him, and he scowled and muttered about wasting time as Ron let his friends in on his arachnophobia problem.

"That's not fair!" Lily protested as her son decided to follow his friend into the very bathroom they were being blocked from.

"I'm sure we'll get sent to another room soon with a loo," Alice told her sympathetically.

"No, not that," Lily rolled her eyes, "I just hate being left out, if Myrtle saw something I'd rather hear it from her than Potter's friend over there."

"I doubt Myrtle's in there," Frank reminded. "We haven't seen a ghost anymore than, well, anything else. Hell, Mrs. Norris actually is the first living thing we've seen around here," and she's not even really alive right now, he finished in his head.

"Think she's been in the castle the rest of the time, or is she just here now because she's-?" Alice paused and swallowed awkwardly without finishing. Petrified or not, she looked quite dead from here.

"Hard to say," Frank scratched uncomfortably at his neck. "I wouldn't be too surprised if whatever happened didn't work on animals though, it didn't on Hedwig."

Myrtle proved to be of no help to anything, which explained why the Marauders looked so bored with the interaction, which surprised Lily a bit. If she'd thought about it at all, she would have expected them to enjoy hearing of the encounter with a ghost, they seemed to consider themselves rather experts on them, as much as she caught them chatting with all others in the castle.

Then Percy came and shooed the kids all away, and really it was starting to feel like quite the waste of a chapter until Hermione offered such an interesting solution.

"They really think it's Malfoy that much?" Peter quickly stopped before the last sentence to verbalize his surprise.

"More likely him than Harry," James sniffed, though he too seemed to agree this was beyond a second year.

"Polyjuice Potion though?" Sirius was blinking with a rather disturbed expression in place. "Of all the ways they decide to get the answer?"

Remus agreed with a good laugh as Peter finished with the excellent point of Ron's on how this would even be possible.

They were surprised not to be interrupted by being yanked away, but Evans laughing. Leaning against Myrtle's door with pure mirth on her face as she tried to gasp out her surprise of a twelve year old managing such a thing. Then the door she was leaning on swung open behind her, and she fell out of sight.

#Harry Potter #fanfiction #Marauders #reading the books #wolfstar #Jilly #James Potter #Remus Lupin #Sirius Black #Peter Pettigrew #Regulus Black #Frank Longbottom #Alice Smith #Lily Evans

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