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hannah--bug · 9 months

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A Cat Introductory

Sometimes I surprise myself with how little cat content is on my Tumblr. I don't even think I posted when we got new kittens...! So I made this for fun : )

Pepsi, aka Beep or Beepus (it comes from a Bepis mispronunciation) is a Victorian woman trapped in the small body of a cat. She has the patience of a saint and a very angry resting face. Out of all our cats ever, we've had her the longest. She has no interest in sinning and very much dislikes being picked up in "improper" ways. She's currently ten years old! Wow!

Saffron is not very smart, but we love him anyway <3 He's naturally very greasy, which is one of the easiest way to distinguish him from Sphinx (seen in bg here). He likes to sleep on his back and goes so, so ham with his favorite toys that he loses them almost instantaneously. He also has a concussion in this picture that he gave himself mysteriously, hence the differently sized pupils. He's currently three and has Feline Leukemia Virus

Sterling, seen here angrily wearing Hunny as a hat, has issues. We don't know why he has issues. He has them. He was incredibly ill as a kitten (the vet literally told us "good luck") and I guess that traumatized him...? He's quite loving, but is so wicked neurotic. He might actually have anxiety. Saffron is his absolute favorite guy and he always meows very loud when hitting someone whether he's playing or not. He's currently two and has mouth herpes, which was a surprise

Sasha is currently our smallest adult and he likes to sit like a jellyfish (shown above). I don't understand how he breaks his spine to sit on it like this, but he sure thinks it's comfy...! He's a very sweet boy who's more of one for following you from room to room than he is for a petting sesh. He comes in my room every day at regular intervals to check on me and meow for a head pat <3 He's two, very near Sterling's age

Sphinx is our largest (and possibly fluffiest) adult. He has an insane neck mane and enjoys playing fetch with his favorite toys. Will got absolutely insane for hair ties. Seriously. He'll probably hurt you because he's just so excited. He has a teeny tiny meow and likes to be held and cuddled for specific periods of time only known to him. Loves going outside and behaves the best out of everybody out there. He'll even wear a harness like a good boy! He's two and very near Sasha and Sterling's age

Rowan, like Beepus, is pissed off, but she has a different vibe. While Beep simply has a resting angry face, Rowan is mad. She's so mad. She hates you, she hates everyone, and she has the poofiest little butt ever. When happy, she holds her tail up so high that it bends down and touches her back! She enjoys hoarding toys under chairs and sitting on strings like they're railroad tracks. She's coming up on her second birthday very soon. She's a Siamese/Turkish Vaan

Magpie is, and I mean with the upmost of love, the dumbest cat we have. I sometimes joke that she's autistic because she just... doesn't quite do social interactions right. It's like she doesn't know how to read the other cats...! Despite this, she means well. She gets wicked hyper at the drop of a pin and used to be besties with Rowan, but got tired of being slapped around!! Her fur hangs down kind of weirdly, like it's heavy. It makes her look sort of flabby <3 Will go insane for string (seriously...) She's two years old

Ophelia (the Mighty Huntress) is just the sweetest little lady. She gives you her head to pet with the utmost trust and arches her back very high while doing so. She doesn't mind being held for long periods of time, but doesn't necessarily enjoy being pet much. She exudes sweet innocence somehow, all the time. She just has a sweet little face, I guess...! She's currently one year old and has a silly little (big) primordial pouch <3

Raven is my little baby - a cat I specifically picked out. She's growing into a delightful watermelon, by which I mean she's fat and we have to watch her diet. She does not like being pet unless she says so, especially on the head!! She's the master of slinking away from unsolicited hands and will dodge very severely if you try to give her a head pat when not allowed. She enjoys meowing at nothing and playing with strings, which she will brings you. She has a chronic condition I forget the name of that leaves her with a squinty, watery left eye. She's one year old and close in age to Ophee

Monkey is the cat Al picked out very near the time I got Raven. He was very matted and dirty when we got him, which is why he's rocking the homemade lion cut in the picture. His fur's finally almost grown back out now! He's part British Shorthair and I think he looks very interesting! He has exactly one meow that he uses at all opportunities. Loves to play, but mostly only with other cats, which results in constant screaming and crying for them to come playyyy. Come play...! Come plaaaaaaaYYYY. His little eyebrow poof makes him look either very concerned or very angry depending on the lighting. One year old

Juniper, as you can see here, weighs 0 pounds. She's very sweet, quick to purr, and has mysteriously broken all the whiskers off the right side of her face. While she gets hyper just like everybody else, she tends to have this tiny calm contemplativeness about her. Just a tiny little lady in a big world... She's coming up on six months and is littermates with Fergus

Fergus is a darling little orange with the tiniest eyes ever. He tends to sit and look very concerned with them. Does a lot of just sitting there... thinking. What is he pondering? We just don't know. He likes ball toys, which is rare among our cats, and has a very poofy tail! He's littermates with Juniper and is nearing six months

Molotov Cocktail (aka Molly) is another cat I was lucky enough to be allowed to pick out. True to her name, she's a wild little spitfire! But she also enjoys cuddling and sleeping next to people. She has the highest rate of sin out of the kittens and is nearing six months (but is two weeks or so younger than the other two). If you don't give her what she wants, she goes on a wild sin rampage...!

#photo #cat #kitten #Beep #Pepsi #Saffron #Sterling #Sasha #Sphinx #Rowan #Magpie #Ophelia #Raven #Monkey #Juniper #Fergus #Molly #long post #read more

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heckyeahponyscans · 2 years

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G1 My Little Pony comic #7 (1985), “The Missing Treasures”

#G1 #My Little Pony #MLP #Majesty #Confetti #Cherries Jubilee #Tickle #Heart Throb #Spike #Sparkler #Molly Magpie #comics #comic G1 My Little Pony #issue G1 My Little Pony 7 #The Missing Treasures

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fazcinatingblog · 11 months

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I need a funny slogan to put on a netty poster otherwise I'll end up writing MOLLY KELSEY ASHY JODI-ANN GEVA SOPHIE SHIMMY

#super shot swiftie Sophie #what if i go up to her at the end of the game and she tells me she actually hates Taylor Swift #magnificent Molly magpie magic

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broadbrowntabby · 5 months

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Sharp-Eyed Magpie of the Cardinal was accepted into @thestarshire as ranger to the shire. This creative and (mildly) vain girl is going to be there to support our new young authorities, and step into conflict to support them as and when needed. If this trinket-adoring molly likes you, perhaps you'll find a shiny new gift at the end of your nest one morning... or perhaps you'll find a particularly sharp thorn having got on her bad side.

(art and design by @/stinkerbee!)

#thestarshire #warrior cats #wcrp

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beardedmrbean · 2 years

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Molly the magpie and Peggy the dog are a 'real-life Winnie the Pooh and Piglet story'

#pupper #magpie #corvids #bulldog

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dent-de-leon · 9 months

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Mollymauk caught a glimpse of Fate's weave by sheer chance. Nightfall at the Blooming Grove was sheltered in a comforting quiet, the sprawling, moonlit garden a sanctum of solace and respite. Many of the Nein had finally fallen into blissful sleep, safe at last from a city alive--the ever hungering, tortured minds and endless Eyes. But one human still lingered in Sehanine's shadows, still too shaken to let dreams take him.

He was...beautiful. Magical. A word came to Molly then, as the man stood haloed in Catha's beaming radiance. Mollymauk’s lips mouth the name over and over, delighting in the shape of it. Magician, Magician. His tail flicks out and swishes in glee, swaying playfully. He was content to admire the human from afar, to watch him walk beneath the moon and stars with that soft smile and warm eyes.

Until a gleam of glowing light caught his attention. Drew him inevitably closer.

Golden thread laced between the Magician's fingertips, snaking over his bony wrist, fastening in a weave of brilliant light. Molly couldn’t help himself—he had a magpie’s keen eye for shiny things, collecting a treasure trove of little trinkets. So when he saw a spark glistening softly in the moonlight, caught a glimmer of intricate gold threads--faint and fine as puppet strings, ethereally lucent and resplendent--he couldn’t resist.

Enraptured, he reaches for that thread of blinding light and tugs.

The human jolts at that, as if finally waking from a deep sleep. His head shoots up and his gaze meets Mollymauk’s. A spark passes between them, sharp and electric, tethering them in an instant. For a moment, Molly feels as though he’s known the man all his life, a relic of another time.

“Um…Hello,” the human stammers once he recovers from awestricken shock, glancing around helplessly—oblivious to the web of fate that ensnared him. Glistening golden threads shimmering all around them, encasing the Magician in gilded chains of twisting fate. A name just on the tip of his tongue, a kiss he can still taste. Softness and light.

“Mr. Tealeaf. It is a relief to see you up and about, but. Try to take it easy, ja?” His gaze softens, bright blue eyes warm as the firelight, his silvery voice falling to a hush. “You should be resting, Circus Man. How—how are you feeling?”

Somewhere in the treetops high above a bird cries; a shrill, cawing shriek, unnervingly almost human. Feathers ruffling as ravens cackle, a shadow cast out of the corner of his eye. The wizard instinctively presses closer, as if to shield him from their piercing gaze. Molly almost remembers something. Pure superstition. A sign of warding, protection. Crosses his fingers over his heart to keep Death's talons at bay, keep his loved ones safe.

His face must give him away, because Caleb pulls him in at once, assuring him with soft soothing words and his tender touch.

"The Matron will not have you," Caleb murmurs, a hand stroking through his hair. "Not while I am here."

#widomauk #mollymauk tealeaf #caleb widogast #something something king molly being inevitably drawn to his magician always #also i think it would be fun and bittersweet if he could see the threads of fate because as lucien he was fate touched :')

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drchenquill · 17 days

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OC questionnaire~

It's always so fun doing these, so thanks for the tag @ink-enchanted!!!

This time, I'll answer with characters from "The shadow of her dreams", so here we go:

1 . Which of the 7 deadly sins are you?

Molly: "Is there a deadly sin for stupidity? Well, seems like not, so I think it's pride, because I may be stupid, but I'm fucking good at being stupid."

Fabian: "It doesn't feel good admitting it, but I'd say wrath. I don't get angry often, but when I do... I get angry."

Brutus: "Sloth. Easy. I do what I must, but if there's nothing to do, I do nothing."

Maggie: "I'm a magical magpie, what do you think?... Greed, it's greed."

2 . What is something you cannot live without?

Molly: "My caduceus. It's everything I need."

Fabian: "My maps, I feel safer when I know where I am and where I'm going."

Brutus: "I don't care about objects. As long as I have the people that I love around me, I'm ready for everything."

Maggie: "Everything! Everything is precious, as long as it shines prettily."

3 . If you are the "good guy", what, if anything, could make you switch to the "bad side"? If you are the "bad guy", what, if anything, could make you switch to the "good side"?

Molly: "I wouldn't call myself "the good one". I'd say I'm on the right side. There's not good or bad, there's just right."

Fabian: "Threathen someone I love and I'm ready to end a life."

Brutus: "If it feels like I'm helping the people around me, I'm ready to switch to the bad side."

Maggie: "To be honest, I follow my friends, without thinking if we are doing good or bad things. I'm just going with the flow."

I'm tagging, with no pressure of course, @hatetolove-lovetohate, @njnetails, @theeccentricraven, @illarian-rambling, @simonnebethel and 🫵 you <3

Your questions will be:

What would you say to yourself from the past?

If you could send a message to future you, what would it be?

If you could redo your life, is there a moment, an event, that you would never change?

#writing tag game #tag game #oc questions #writeblr #writing #writers on tumblr #writers #writerscommunity

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local-hellhound-steals-spaghetti · 11 days

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Deconstructing the "Peggy and Molly Friendship" Narrative

Molly the Australian Magpie had been “reunited” with Peggy and the family that stole him as a fledgling and raised him without any wildlife carer license or experience.

Thanks to the Queensland Premier wanting to score some extra points in an election year, he “made it happen.” And legitimised the collective delusion of the public that genuinely thinks that this was a completely okay and reasonable situation. And believed the notion that Molly, a territorial social species of bird that had compromised development and was taken out of his home range, could simply "fly away".

So I went through their Instagram to see how this madness unfolded. It clearly began as a “Peggy” instagram before the stolen fledgling joined in.

These people are so adamant that there were no parents around but I don’t believe it for a second. Molly was a juvenile when he was taken - you always see fledglings around his size and age on the ground foraging for food. Mum and dad are not always around but they are never far away and are critical to a young magpie's developmental period.

They claim that Molly was sick. Yet they never make any mention of taking him to the vet. Molly makes distinctive fledgling feeding calls, the sounds he would have used to beg for food from his parents. It's tragic to see this after seeing how magpies raise their fledglings in my own backyard.

One of their first posts is feeding him what looks to be mealworms next to their pet dog. Aussie Magpie Fledglings at this age are learning everything about how to survive from their parents. They fed Molly WITH their dog. What does that teach? That dogs are not only safe but also a potential source of food/reinforcement.

As Peggy’s Instagram becomes Peggy and Molly’s Instagram, this happens:

Molly gets attacked by other birds. Because guess what? This is a territorial bird who has been removed from his original territory and away from the protection and guidance of his parents.

So, because these people have no idea what they’re doing, they’re Shocked that this would happen and that the wild bird they’re unwittingly conditioning into their pet can’t defend himself.

But yeah I’m sure teaching Molly tug of war with a dog is exactly the survival skills he needs as a wild bird!!!!!!

(I’m losing my goddamn mind)

Another “release attempt” fails because apparently we did a whoopsie and let him fly out in a storm??? Yet again, this poor bird is having traumatic experiences in the wild that he was not prepared for and is, unsurprisingly, seeking humans - which he has now associated heavily with food and safety.

Meanwhile, as they’re “raising” Molly, this insanity happens:

Yeah because that’s why your staffy is spontaneously lactating. She wants to mother a bird. It couldn’t possibly be that she’s had a bird pecking at her nipples and stimulating them or that she might have a serious medical issue. Interestingly, they do take Peggy to the vet. A luxury that doesn’t seem to be afforded to Molly who was also apparently sick (even though he seems to be pretty bright, alert and feeding in all the videos of when he was “rescued”)

Anyway the saga continues with the clear intention of making content now - the socialisation and habituation continues during Molly’s most critical juvenile years. They talk about how Peggy is helping Molly learn how to find food as if they're still intended for him to be a wild bird. But it's clear this bird isn't going anywhere.

At this time, Molly would be learning how to find food, how to socialise with other magpies and he’d eventually be joining a juvenile or bachelor flock where he’d continue to develop his social skills as a social and intelligent bird, wrestling and playing with his flock mates.

But no, he’s learning to mimic barks and is harassing the hell out of this poor staffy. The family just lets it all happen without any sort of support or advocacy for Peggy.

Haha isn't zoonotic disease vectors and a confused bird with no idea of how to interact appropriately with a dog just hilarious? It’s funny because of the silly caption they made, right?

As their "relationship" progresses, Peggy shows more discomfort.

This dog shows multiple stress behaviours. She is not friends with this bird she is TOLERATING this bird as he pecks at her face. She's rarely relaxed in these "play" interactions. She licks her lips, turns her head, yawns and even bares her teeth. But if it has a cute soundtrack behind it, I guess that means they’re having fun, right?

Even the interactions where Peggy's isn't stressed are still uncomfortable to watch. Molly shows immense frustration and confusion, following and wanting to be involved but being ignored or tolerated.

Molly should be with wild birds, playing how they play and not being merely tolerated:

Molly had a chance to be homed with a qualified wildlife rehabber or even get the chance to get to live with other Australian Magpies. But because people fell for the story and the media regurgitated it without questioning it for a second - he'll never get that chance again.

Molly was failed by the Queensland government for not being seized immediately. There were numerous complaints as soon as their story started to become viral that this was sending a bad message to the public and that this bird was not being given the care he needed.

It's too late, now. Molly will live in a confused limbo, not knowing what he's supposed to be and will never get to live with his own species.

And all the people that sent death threats to wildlife carers (who were trying to fix the damage caused) will pat themselves on the back about what a good job they did.

#Molly the Magpie #wildlife rehabilitation #australian magpie #wildlife #birds #canine behaviour #stress behaviour #Peggy and Molly

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george-weasleys-girl · 10 months

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North Star Series

Chapter - 35 - Tea for Two

Summary: Molly and Y/N have a heart to heart

~•~

Start Here:

George's playful little magpie fluttered around Y/N's maine coon cat.

"Are you flirting with me?" She giggled.

"Of course. I'm never not flirting with you," he leaned down for a quick kiss, then turned to watch their two patronuses dissapate in the morning sunlight. "I think we should probably call it quits for now," he sighed. "Or we'll be late."

~•~

"How's your Patronus practice going, dear?" Molly asked Y/N over lunch.

"Quite good, actually."

"Her casting is much stronger," George chimed in. "I'm very proud of her." He smiled at his girlfriend, who beamed in response.

"Good, good," Molly replied. "But I still don't understand why they don't teach it more intensively at Ilvermorny."

George rolled his eyes. "Mum, we've been over this before. Dementors aren't native to the Americas. They focus their defense classes on things they're more likely to encounter."

"So I guess they don't expect any of their students to travel?" Molly huffed.

George and Y/N shared a look but let the matter drop.

Molly knew that look well. It was one she and Arthur shared when they thought someone was being obstinate or ridiculous. But she didn't care what they thought of her. Y/N was part of the family now and, as such, was officially under Mrs. Weasley's overprotective wing.

~•~

The two of them had come a long way since those early days when Y/N was still an exchange student. For a long time, Molly had kept her son's girlfriend at arms length, refusing to let herself get close to the girl, not expecting her to come back after graduation. But then much to Mrs. Weasley's surprise, she did return, and that's when Molly's affection for the girl blossomed. Over the past few months, their once tentative truce had evolved into a friendship.

It'd all started less than two weeks after Y/N's return when she received a note from Molly inviting her over for tea. The following afternoon, Y/N found herself sitting in the Burrow's kitchen while Molly filled their cups. "You surprise me," the Weasley matriarch commented.

"Because I came back?"

Mrs. Weasley gave a single nod. "I didn't expect you to."

"I know."

"You should also know that Arthur's been insufferable since your return," Molly continued. "He's said all along that you'd be back. Though, to be completely honest, I'm not sure if he's happier that you came back or that he was right and I was wrong."

"Umm... sorry," Y/N apologized, lifting her teacup to her lips in an attempt to hide her grin.

Molly waved it off. "I don't mind. It's good for him to have these little victories from time to time. Good for the spirit." It was such a Molly Weasley thing to say, and Y/N wasn't sure how to respond, so she played it safe and sipped her tea instead. "This is lovely," she complemented.

Molly smiled, taking her own sip before speaking again, "I'm glad you came back."

Y/N froze, her eyes widening. This was an unexpected development.

"Oh, don't look so surprised," Mrs. Weasley chuckled. "I'm not so blind that I don't notice how well the two of you fit together. You two remind me very much of Arthur and I. Not to mention, George is so much more confident and settled with you. I don't worry about him so much now."

"Wow, umm... thank you, Molly. That means a lot." The teacup wobbled in Y/N's hand, and she put it down for fear of it slipping from her grasp. She'd had no idea what to expect today, but this certainly wasn't it.

Molly patted her hand. "I say it because it's true. And because I want you to understand that George's world is changing. Whether he realizes it or not, he and Fred are... how shall I put this? Diverging?"

"Diverging?" Y/N's eyebrows drew together.

Molly took a deep breath, weighing her words. "I'm certain you've noticed how he and Fred are wearing different colors now?"

Y/N nodded. She had noticed but simply wrote it off as their way of setting themselves apart from one another. Though truthfully, she'd been so wrapped up in the joy of being back with George that it never occurred to her to analyze the matter in depth.

Molly, seemingly unperturbed by the lack of response, plowed on. "I think that's only the beginning."

"They're coming into their own. And carving out their own individual paths in the process. How can that be a bad thing?" Y/N asked.

"It isn't. At least not in the long term. No matter how they change, they'll always be close. Of that, I'm certain. But in the short term, there could be a... period of adjustment. For George, in particular. Especially once Fred's focus shifts."

"Shifts? How so?"

"Meeting someone, of course," Molly said as if it were obvious.

"But, George didn't have any problems when Fred and Angie were dating," Y/N countered.

"That's because he had you, my dear. Otherwise, I think he might've felt a little lost. Cut adrift, as it were. Though he'd never show it..."

Molly's words faded into the background as Y/N's mind drifted back to a long ago conversation in the Gryffindor common room.

"...it's being left behind that scares me," George had confessed. "Everyone I care about leaving me or just forgetting about me."

Y/N tilted her head, leaning closer to him. "How could--what makes you think you're so easily forgettable? I don't think Fred would ever leave you behind."

"Well, no. But, eventually, he'll get married and have a family, and they'll be more important. That's the way it should be. And I'll - " George paused and glanced toward the boy's dormitory. "Of the two of us, Fred's the more popular one, the charismatic one. He's the one that draws the crowds. I love my brother, and I love being one-half of the notorious Weasley twins, but we're notorious only because of him. I just ride around on his coat-tails." George let out a long sigh. "Sometimes I feel like the only reason people hang out with me or like me is because I'm Fred's twin. No one likes me for myself.

...I'm the third wheel. Nothing more than an afterthought. How long before I'm cast off completely?" George mumbled, his chin trembling. "I'm afraid I'll end up alone, and I don't want to be alone. I need someone, but nobody needs me."

"...I trust in you, Y/N, to take care of him." Molly's words shook her out of her thoughts. "You're such a gentle, stablizing force. He's a better and happier person with you in his life."

Y/N's mouth worked, and for a few seconds, no words came out. "I - I really don't know what to say," she fumbled. "I have to admit I didn't anticipate any of this..." Her words trailed off as she tried to wrap her brain around the last few minutes.

Molly smiled and replenished her tea. "Just promise me that you'll stand by him, no matter what the future brings."

@milivanili99 @slytherclaw1978 @quackitysdrugdealer @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy @ladylizzieofdarbyshire @fancy-pantaloons @samberriejams @totalwitch2 @aslanvez @mrsgweasley @morally-grey-obsessed @asuperconfusedgirl @hmisa11 @superduckmilkshake @junerprsh @wolfkill16 @kaysau2510 @planetkt @thankyouforanonymity @thatonepersonwhocantwrite @smallsweetvanillabean

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that, Molly," Y/N returned her smile. "I'm not just here for the good times. I'm here for it all."

~•~

#george weasley #george weasley x reader #george weasley x y/n #george weasley x fem!reader #george weasley x you #hp fandom #hp universe #harry potter fandom #harry potter universe

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peppypanda-com · 15 days

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#happy news #uplifting news #good news #peppypanda.com

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seriouslysam8 · 1 year

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Brumous Sneak Peek

Chapter Ten: The Attack

Remus took his normal spot next to Sirius, his gaze focusing on the table as he tried not to look at Nymphadora laughing and chatting with Molly in hushed tones by the stove. Oddly enough, Harry was not seated next to Sirius. Instead, Harry sat smushed between Ron and Ginny, their chairs close together as they leaned forward to all talk to Fred and George. Harry laughed, a wide grin on his face, at something George said. Remus couldn’t help but notice Harry looked far more relaxed than normal, more like the kid he had met a few years ago.

Remus leaned into Sirius, his chin gesturing towards Harry. “Did he do it?”

Sirius blinked, his eyes glancing over at Harry. “Do what?”

Remus rolled his eyes, his head shaking. “Oh, I don’t know. Be offered a spot on the Magpies,” he said in a sarcastic tone but Sirius only chuckled. “Master Occlumency, what do you think?”

“No, he hasn’t,” Sirius replied. “He’s trying and can make his mind go blank when he knows they are there, but… I don’t know. He needs a wall. At least, that’s what Dumbledore says.”

Remus nodded. “How does one build a wall?”

Sirius snorted. “Funnily enough, that’s what Dumbledore asked me.”

Remus snorted, watching as Molly levitated the food over to the table. Nymphadora skipped over, taking a seat next to Bill who sat by the twins. Molly took a spot between Arthur and Sirius.

“All right, you lot! It’s ready! Dig in!” Molly announced.

The platters and bowls passed around the table. Remus snuck a peek at Nymphadora who pushed Bill in his chair, a loud snort escaping her nose. Remus swallowed, his eyes darting over to Ron next to him to grab the platter of jacket potatoes. He caught sight of Harry shifting in his chair as he leaned in close to Ginny as the two whispered about something. She waved him off, saying something that Remus couldn’t hear. He took a potato before passing the platter over to Sirius.

Ginny cleared her throat. “Looks like everyone is here tonight,” she commented, her gaze catching Harry’s for a brief moment.

“Yes, dear, we do live at headquarters so there’s always people milling about,” Molly replied.

Arthur smiled. “It’s wonderful! I feel like I haven’t had dinner with you lot since you got back from Hogwarts. I’ve been too busy to even see straight it seems.”

Nymphadora raised a glass. “I hear you there, Arthur! Merlin, I feel like I haven’t even stopped to breathe in the past two weeks.”

Remus felt a bit of tension ease in his stomach. So Nymphadora hadn’t been avoiding him after their little fight. It made sense because Remus realized that he hadn’t seen Arthur around Grimmauld much at all, and he was staying there. Remus hadn’t heard from Kingsley or Tegan or any of Dumbledore’s most trusted members either now that he thought about it. His primary contact had been Sirius and Harry.

“I mean, I’ve just been around wizards who smell like meat and sweat so much lately,” Nymphadora said in a casual tone, not daring to look at Remus.

He caught the drift, the implication behind the words. He glanced down at his plate, not giving Nymphadora the satisfaction that she wanted.

“Who smells like meat and sweat?” Molly asked.

“Yeah, who you talking about?” George pressed. “That’s just bloody weird.”

“It’s not like I prefer it,” argued Nymphadora, and Remus could feel her eyes on him. “Musty old libraries are so much more divine to smell but they’re also very inclusive and think they’ll break their readers or something absurd.”

“Ah, I think I’m following now,” Sirius mused thoughtfully, elbowing Remus in the side.

“Can I prefer neither?” Fred interjected. “Both smell disgusting.”

“But books can’t break people,” Nymphadora argued, stabbing her jacket potato. “Books shouldn’t assume that a reader could be so easily broken. The fact that they’re musty is just even more endearing.”

“Wouldn’t you want a non-musty book?” Ron asked.

“No!” Molly snapped. “How could you say such a thing?”

Ron blinked, his mouth gaping open.

“I think musty old books should just get their head out of their arse personally,” Sirius said, bringing his wine glass to his lips. “Maybe a book should just realize they’re just a book and good people don’t judge a book by its cover. They should just act like the contents of said book.”

“Maybe a Newfoundland should act like a Newfoundland as well,” Remus snapped, glaring at Sirius. “You know, be sociable and lovable for once.”

Sirius’ jaw clenched. “I see you cannot tell the difference between a grim and a Newfoundland.”

Remus scoffed. “Perhaps, it’s you who can’t.”

“Grims are large and menacing and anti-social. That fits!” Sirius argued. “Nobody wants to be a dumb big Newfoundland!”

“Oi, dogs are dogs,” George interjected. “Newfoundlands are cute! Lee has a Newfoundland.”

Fred pulled a face. “Their slobber is disgusting. I’m more of a small animal lover. Like say a pygmy puff, coming in just one week to Weasley Wizard Wheezes so grab yours before it’s too late!”

“What’s a pygmy puff?” Nymphadora asked, flicking her bubblegum pink hair behind her shoulder.

“Ah, you’d like them,” George said around a mouthful of food. “Peppy little things. Bright colors. Cuddly.”

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lifeofkaze · 1 year

Text

Moving On

A/N: This story was written for the January prompt of @hp-12monthsofmagic challenge

Bringing friends to the Burrow during the summer break was somewhat of a habit for the Weasley children, and yet, Charlie Weasley had never really been one to invite people over. That wasn’t because he didn’t have any people to bring, he simply preferred sticking to a small but eclectic circle of friends.

Lizzie Jameson was one of the exceptions. She was one of Charlie’s few regular guests at his home near Ottery St Catchpole, and Charlie would’ve been hard-pressed trying to think of a time when he wasn’t excited about his best friend’s stay.

This year, however, things were different. He had been looking forward to Lizzie’s arrival, he really had, but when the lively Hufflepuff girl Apparated into the Burrow’s front yard, Charlie wasn’t the one to greet her first. Before he had even risen from his chair in the kitchen, his mother had rushed past him, pulling a bashfully smiling Lizzie into a smothering hug.

“I haven’t seen you in forever, dear,” Molly Weasley cried out, cupping Lizzie’s face with both her hands and squeezing it ever so slightly. “Won’t you look at that, what a beautiful young witch you have become! And what a nice tan you got yourself! You must tell me all about your trip, Charlie was so frugal with the details. Did you get my birthday gift? I really hope you liked the chocolate Quaffle.”

Over his mother’s incessant stream of chatter, Lizzie raised an eyebrow at Charlie.

“I thought you made that one?” she mouthed, to which Charlie responded with a shrug.

“I came up with the idea.”

He was happy that he and Lizzie would finally get to spend some time together. At school, catching her alone was tricky; they were in different houses, and Lizzie had a plethora of friends and other extra-curricular activities to occupy her time. They saw each other during classes and their work for Professor Kettleburn, but even those Lizzie had come to leave in a rush more often than not.

Charlie knew the reason for it, of course. Lizzie now had a boyfriend, after all.

He felt his excitement fade as he listened to his mother and his younger brothers, who had stormed into the kitchen upon hearing Lizzie’s voice, interrogating her on her boyfriend Orion’s shiny new career as rookie Chaser for the Montrose Magpies. Lizzie answered all of their questions patiently and with a proud smile on her face; for some reason, she seemed unable to even stop gushing about his new jersey.

“The old ones were so boring, but this season, they’re stunning. Trust me, you’ll love them.”

Charlie raised his eyebrows fractionally. “I thought you were a Catapults gal, Snidget.”

Lizzie responded with a laugh. “They’ll have to share my love with the Magpies now, I guess.”

“So much for loyalty,” Charlie muttered to himself. He was surprised at how snappy he sounded, but a strange sort of irritation had taken hold of him ever since the topic had turned to Quidditch. Lizzie seemed to share the notion; her brows knit together in a frown, but before she could reply, Charlie’s younger brother Fred drew her attention.

“Don’t listen to him,” he smirked, his brown eyes flashing. “He’s just jealous he only gets to handle dragons instead of Snitches.”

“Others chase undying fame, Charlie only scary lizards,” Fred’s identical twin George sniggered.

“Chasing scary lizards is a perfectly acceptable career choice if you ask me,” Lizzie jumped to Charlie’s defence with a stern look at them both. “And it’s not like Charlie isn’t his own kind of famous either. I have a lot of friends who are quite partial to him, actually.”

Knowing where this was headed, Charlie motioned for Lizzie to stop, but it was too late. His mother leaned closer with sparkling eyes.

“What kind of friends? Girls?”

“Mum…”

Not minding him, Lizzie giggled in reply. “Yes, actually. There’s Janet, and Alexa, Elle, Madison, Rose, Millie… oh, and Ava.”

At that, Charlie frowned. “Who’s Ava?”

“I’m not sure you know her. I only met her properly last year.”

“What house is she in?”

“Ravenclaw. You might know her from Potions, actually. She’s rather petite, blonde, wickedly clever. She’s top of… well, almost all classes, really.”

“Does she like dragons and Quidditch?” the twins asked innocently, elbowing each other in the sides.

“Sadly, no and no.”

Charlie thought all of this rather odd. “And she told you she wanted to meet me?”

A faint dusting of colour rose to Lizzie’s cheeks. “She didn’t exactly say it, but I think the two of you would get along well. I can introduce you if you like?”

“Thanks, no need,” Charlie said abruptly and rose to his feet. He left behind a stunned silence as he walked through the kitchen door into the garden.

As he crossed the garden towards the hedge separating the Burrow from the fields beyond, his thoughts circled around Lizzie and how strangely angry her behaviour made him. Was it too much to ask to not talk about her relationship for more than five minutes? Or his lack thereof, for that matter? There was more to life than dating and all the other things that seemed to consume all of Lizzie’s waking thoughts lately. When had she changed so much?

When he reached the broom shed on the edge of the Burrow’s grounds, he unlocked the door and stepped inside. The dark, dry heat hit him like a Bludger to the face. He looked around. There were gardening tools, discarded furniture, and old plant pots littering the shelves and floors, and in a rack by the wall, the ragged broomsticks of the Weasley family were stored. Charlie took one of them out and put it back again, sitting down on a dusty sunchair instead.

He was annoyed with Lizzie, and his mother, and Fred and George, but mostly, he was annoyed with himself. It wasn’t Lizzie’s fault that he was irritable, and she had only meant well.

But what was so wrong about wanting to pursue his passion? Why did everyone always question him? His internship with the dragonologists in Wales during the first half of the summer was the first step to the career of his dreams, but instead of support, all Charlie received from his family and friends were patronising remarks.

The door creaked open, and a shadow blocked the light streaming into the shed. Convinced it was Lizzie, Charlie sullenly said, “If you want to play Quidditch, I’m sorry. I can’t provide you with balancing and broom surfing.”

“Oh, neither can I,” said the voice of his older brother Bill. “I’d break something even trying.”

Charlie’s shoulders relaxed as Bill sat on an upturned cauldron across from him. “What do you want?”

“I heard you stormed out on Mum. Do you want to tell me what happened?”

“Nothing,” Charlie shook his head. When Bill didn’t reply, the words suddenly came tumbling from his mouth. He told him about Lizzie, her repeated attempts at pitching him to various of her friends, and how strangely disappointed Charlie had been from the moment she had set foot into the Burrow’s kitchen.

“I don’t know,” he finished with a helpless shrug. “I just don’t understand why she’s changed so much.”

“You have gotten older since you first met. People change when they grow up, and so do their friendships.”

“That’s not it,” Charlie insisted. “It only started after she got with Orion.”

Bill made a contemplative humming sound. “Is that why you’re so upset? Because Lizzie has a boyfriend now?”

“Why would I?”

“You’re not jealous then?”

“Absolutely not,” Charlie said vehemently. He paused. “Should I be?”

“Well, is there anything on your part?”

“Why does everybody keep asking me that?”

“You’ve always been close. More than close, even.” Bill shrugged. “You wouldn’t be the first person to fall in love with their best friend. It happens. I mean, you even kissed.”

“We… wait, how do you know that?”

Bill’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “There’s no secrets at the Burrow.”

“Okay, but even if we kissed, it doesn’t change anything. I don’t have feelings for Lizzie,” Charlie insisted stubbornly. More quietly, he added, “Or at least, that’s what I thought.”

“You don’t think that anymore?”

“I don’t know,” Charlie said, frowning to himself. “Everybody thinks there’s more to us, so what if they’re right? What if there is?”

Bill was silent for a long time. “Do you remember the plush Erumpent I got for Christmas when we were small?”

“No.”

“Mum and Dad got me an Erumpent and you a dragon. You loved that dragon. You took it with you anywhere.”

“Sounds about right.”

“People liked the Erumpent better, though. They kept asking you if you weren’t sad that it was way cuter than your dragon, and eventually, you believed them.” He paused. “Do you see where I’m going with this?”

“No, because dragons clearly are superior to Erumpents.”

“You changed your mind after people told you how to feel often enough.” Bill’s voice softened. “I know you want to please everyone, but you shouldn’t let that decide how you feel about something. That’s for you to decide, and only you. And if someone’s not happy about it, that’s their problem, not yours.”

“If anyone thinks Erumpents are better than dragons, they have enough of a problem as it is.”

With a laugh, Bill rose to his feet. “Think about it. Mum says dinner’s at six.”

Charlie stayed in the broom shed long after Bill had left. Their conversation ran through his mind over and over again. Bill suggesting that he was jealous was ridiculous. Why would he be jealous?

Jealous. He let the thought sit with him, gave it a little room to breathe. It felt strange.

He remembered when he and Lizzie had come into this same broom shed during their Christmas break a couple of years ago. They had hidden from the twins and had found themselves under a mistletoe in the doorway. It was the only time they had ever kissed, but it had been Charlie’s first; both their firsts, in fact. Looking back, he wasn’t sure if the memory felt good or awkward.

Bill’s words kept Charlie occupied over the next couple of days. He spent his time with Lizzie and his family, trying to put his issues aside, but they never quite left him alone.

By the end of the week, Charlie still didn’t know how to feel. Was he jealous of Lizzie’s relationship with Orion? Wasn’t he? The idea felt foreign to him, as if his mind refused to wrap around the concept of Lizzie being anything but his friend.

The summer in Devon was kind, and the Weasley children made the best of it, spending their days in the garden from early in the morning. A pleasant breeze stirred the leaves of the trees in the orchard, and the scent of grass and honeysuckle hung heavy in the air. Charlie sat on the steps in front of the kitchen door, watching Lizzie playing tag with Ron and Ginny, an affectionate smile playing around his lips.

Maybe he and Lizzie could have been more, he thought to himself. Maybe, if things had been different. If she hadn’t fallen in love with Orion, or if Charlie had known what he wanted from her when there had still been a chance.

Ultimately, it was what it was. And that, Charlie decided, was perfectly fine.

Further out in the garden, Ron and Ginny had left Lizzie to her own devices. She sat in the shadow of an old honeysuckle tree and was reading the letter she had received from Orion the other day. A soft smile formed on her features, the happiness radiating off her so strong that Charlie thought he could feel its warmth even from where he was sitting. It was then that something within him settled. If Lizzie smiled like that, he was satisfied, no matter who or what was the cause of it.

“Would you look at that, George?” Fred grinned as he slumped on the stairs next to Charlie.

“Someone’s in love,” George sang, suddenly appearing on Charlie’s other side. In unison, the twins added, “Go on, make your move!”

Charlie stifled a sigh. “I’m not in love.”

“Then why are you staring?”

“I’m not staring.”

“You are staring,” Fred and George sniggered, fluttering their eyelashes and making kissing noises.

Ignoring the twins’ wolf whistling, Charlie rose to his feet and made his way over to Lizzie, who looked up from her letter with an apologetic expression.

“Sorry about them,” she glared in the direction of Charlie’s cackling brothers. “I told them to knock it off, but you know how they are.”

“It’s fine,” Charlie waved her off. He nodded at the parchment in Lizzie’s hands. “How’s Orion?”

“Are you polite, or do you really want to know?”

“Why wouldn’t I want to know?”

Lizzie suddenly looked sheepish. “I never thought you cared much.”

“Don’t take it personally, Puffskein. I had a lot on my mind.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“It’s fine.”

Lizzie tilted her head. “You know you can talk to me, right?”

A smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, Charlie nodded. “I do.”

Slowly, the smile returned to Lizzie’s face as she tucked her letter away and told him about Orion’s first days in Montrose. Her eyes were flashing with excitement, and the dappled light falling through the canopy above them made her hair look like dark honey. She did look pretty, smiling like that, and Charlie wondered whether there really wasn’t more to the thought.

The simple answer was no, there wasn’t. Lizzie was happy, and that was all he needed to know.

“Say, that friend of yours,” he said when she was done with her recount, “the one you mentioned the other day. Tell me about her.”

A knowing smile formed on Lizzie’s features. “Which one?”

Charlie searched his brain for any of the names she had mentioned and said the first that came to his mind.

“Uhm, Ada.”

“You mean Ava?”

“Yeah, Ava. Tell me about Ava.”

#hphm #hogwarts mystery #lizzie jameson #charlie weasley #ava campbell #hp12mom #twelve months of magic

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