#also an eleven year old defending themselves against a parent trying to kill them

[rekrappeter]

august || jj maybank || scout’s writing challenge

pairing: jj maybank x fem!reader

word count: a whopping 7.3k

summary: y/n returns to the island for her yearly visit with her cousin, Kiara. she loves everything about the outer banks, except one impossible blonde hair, blue eyed boy [enemies to friends to lovers]

warning: nothing that isn’t mentioned in the tv show therefore there is cursing, fighting, mention of abuse, underage drinking, blood || lmk if i forget anything || definitely typos || i also didn’t proofread this so sorry 

This is my first time writing for outer banks, so what better way to join a writing challenge organised by the queen herself @ptersparkers​. I hope y’all enjoy it and please lmk what you think of it  ♡ ♡

The whole month of August was dedicated to traveling to the outer banks, ever since you could remember. Your earliest memory on the island was when you were eight years old and your cousin, Kiara, almost drowned in the marsh; you remember laughing uncontrollably, not really understanding what was going on until your parents scolded you. You have always been close with Kiara; when you were away for the other eleven months of the year, you would constantly message and snapchat each other back and forward.

As you grew older, each year in obx came with new experiences. When you were thirteen, you had your first kiss on the dock with some brown-haired kook that you and Kiara were infatuated with that year. When you were fourteen, you got into your first fist fight with none other than JJ Maybanks and that was the beginning of the end for you. Ever since that eventful summer, you and JJ barely managed to be in the same room with each other without biting each other’s head off. You rued the first day you met him when you found him attractive, never more nauseated when you think of that memory. 

At the age of sixteen now, you couldn’t be more excited to go back and visit your cousin and the rest of your extended family. This time your parents weren’t tagging along and trusted you to stay safe under the watchful eye of Kiara. When you were on the phone with Kie, days before your arrival, you both gushed about the numerous adventures you were going to take together. You were back in the outer banks no longer than four hours before you were dragged down to the boneyard, a memorable place that you found bliss in. 

“Aye, there she is!” You heard John B yell over the chatter of the crowd down at the beach, he raised a red cup in your direction as a greeting. You laughed aloud, twirling before flinging yourself into his embrace. And it was official, John B gave the best hugs. 

“Hey, don’t be hogging her,” Pope whined, pulling you from his best friend’s grasp and bringing you into a rib crushing hug. Okay, maybe it was Pope that gave the best hugs. You were so overwhelmed by the love that they were showing that you hadn’t noticed the blonde-haired boy rock up next to the gang with a girl tucked under his arm. 

JJ spotted you from the moment that you stepped foot onto the beach, he was whispering into some brunette’s ear when his eyes lifted to see your figure beside Kie. His jaw immediately clenched and the sudden distaste was evident in his aura, at least that’s what he was calling the feeling of nausea that washed over him from seeing you there. He has been so busy working, he hadn’t realized that it was already August - the month he could live without for the rest of his life ever since he was introduced to you. 

The girl reached to grab his jaw to look at her, “Are you even listening to me?” She pouted, her red lipstick smudged from the earlier kisses she shared with JJ. 

JJ hummed in acknowledgement, looking at his empty cup. “Let’s go get a drink.” When he walked up to his close friends, he grimaced at you being flung around by Pope. An odd feeling was at the pit of his stomach, it was almost like a mix of regret and jealousy but he ignored it, like every other feeling he had when it came to you. “Look what the cat dragged in.” He snarled, handing his cup to John B to fill up. 

At the sound of his voice, your spine tensed up and you were released from Pope’s embrace to come face to face with your own nemesis. You ignored the girl that looked between the two of you, your friends’ breath hitched in their throat getting ready for another annual greeting. You cocked your hip, brow raised with a humorous look on your face. “Wow, JJ, surprised you haven’t ended up dead in a ditch yet.” 

JJ scoffed and rolled his blue eyes, “How many kooks are you planning on fucking this time around?” He retorted, watching your eyes narrow. If looks could kill, he knew he’d be dead five years ago. 

“Looks like you’re one step ahead of me,” You turned your attention to the confused brunette who was nibbling on her nails, “Honestly, sweetheart, if you’re lowering yourself down to this--”

“That’s enough, Y/N.” Kie interrupted you, placing a red cup in your hands and pulling you away from the blonde that sent anger through your veins. “I just don’t get it.” She sighed, sitting on a log near one of the many fires that were brewing. 

You glanced subtly over your shoulder, seeing that your friends dispersed into different crowds but he stood where you left him. JJ’s eyes found yours, neither one of you looking away at first. It wasn’t until his girl pulled his face to hers that your eye contact was broken. Your brows creased closer, confused by the sudden feeling of annoyance that erupted inside you. For the first time, you weren’t annoyed at the man himself, just the fact that he was kissing some random girl. 

A week into your visit passed by in a flash, just as it usually did. Kie kept her promise and brought you on adventures through back roads and hiking trails. On the slow days, you also helped out at The Wreck; you knew that your uncle would make you do shifts there so instead of him confronting you, you volunteered to help. It was late on Sunday, you offered to close up and let Kie go hang out with the gang. Despite her protests, she was out the door in less than ten minutes telling you to head over to John B’s when you were ready.

You plugged your phone into the speaker system, playing a random playlist that you created. The Rolling Stones blasted around the bar and you cleared off the remaining tables, twisting and turning to the music. There were no customers left and you turned off the ‘open’ sign. Just as you were about to lock the main door, your eyes spotted a number of hooded figures under the dim lights out on the street. You were about to ignore them until you realised that they were kicking the crap out of someone, and from the mop of blonde hair flinging around, you knew exactly who it was. 

“For fucks sake,” You sighed, grabbing the closest object to you and rushing out to defend JJ. “Hey!” You yelled, rushing over to the crowd and getting the three men’s attention. “Bit of a pussy move jumping someone by themselves.” 

The men, who you presumed were Kooks, didn’t scatter like you were expecting them to. Instead, they turned to look at you, eying you up. You heard JJ groan on the ground, you were surprised you could hear the sound of the beating of your heart thumbing through your body. The man in the middle stepped closer to you, “Ain’t you pretty…” He reached to caress your cheek but you slapped his hand away, earning mocking sounds of surprise from the others. 

“Look, sweetheart, we don’t want to fight with you too.” The dark-haired man hummed from beside JJ. 

“You wanna fight him, you gotta fight me too.” JJ tried to protest as the words left your mouth which earned him a kick in the stomach. The man in front of you looked back at JJ, which was the perfect opportunity for you to get your shots in. You kneed him in the groin, causing him to hiss loudly and lean forward. You threw your fist against his jaw, and then again, and another punch for good measure. He fell to the floor, holding his crotch. Your eyes widened when his friend lunged for you, grabbing you and flinging you to the ground. You winced when your shoulder took the impact, but you continued kicking out as the man tried to climb on top of you.

He grabbed your legs, locking them down with his own legs that were much stronger than your whole body. You grabbed his collar quickly, bringing his body to yours before you swung your head to headbutt him. Both of you groaned at the impact but you used this chance to kick his body off you and you climbed on top of him, swinging punch after punch. 

Strong arms wrapped around you, pulling you off the man and you were about to swing a punch until you realized it was JJ holding you this time. You looked over his shoulder to see the third man knocked out, the other two scrambling away muttering profanities under their breath. You sighed in relief, crashing into JJ’s body, your adrenaline disappeared and exhaustion washed over you quickly. 

“What the fuck was that?” JJ shouted, gripping your shoulders to look at you. 

“That was just me saving your fucking life.” You spat back at him, looking up at his busted face. You suddenly became aware of how close he was to you, when your chest rose with your rapid breathing it was touching his bare chest. He wore his shirt unbuttoned, showing off his toned chest. You ripped your body from his grasp, stalking away from him before you had the audacity to check him out again. You could hear him following you closely and you sighed, holding the bar door open for him before locking it behind him. 

The tension was heavy as you breathed heavily in each other’s presence but neither one of you wanted to break the silence. JJ walked over to the freeze, grabbing the loose ice and placing it in a cloth before handing it to you. He was trying his best to calm his heart, the fact that you were willing to fight three kooks for him had his emotions soaring in all different directions. And when he had to pull you off one of them, he couldn’t deny how sexy you looked throwing punches like it was your favorite hobby. He was meant to hate you, not want to fuck you right now. 

JJ ran his fingers through his hair before getting some ice for himself. He leaned up against the isle, watching you sit on one of the bar stools, hissing as you covered your knuckles with the cloth. He nibbled on his bottom lip, glancing around the restaurant. “Where’s Kie?” He asked, his voice soft. 

“JB’s.” You replied, not actually knowing how to hold a conversation with JJ. 

“Cool…” He hummed, bopping his head to the song that was playing around you. “I think this is the longest we’ve ever been in the same room without killing each other.” 

“Nah, instead I just almost got killed because of you.” You huffed, rolling your eyes.

“I didn’t ask you to come out and fucking fight.” JJ retorted, his voice rising with each word. 

“And what do I do when the police pull up asking about some jackass that was murdered outside here?” You stood up from the barstool, ditching the ice in the sink. “Nah, sorry officer, I knew it was a good for nothing son of a bitch so I left him there to die.” You yelled, mocking a posh accent. 

“You are impossible!” JJ spat, each word filled with venom and hatred. You pushed passed him, trying to get to the back room but he grabbed your wrist to stop you. You looked up at him, watching as his jaw tensed and his eyes studied your expression. Your features were stiff, your chest rising and falling with each deep breath. He was so close to you, you could feel his breath fan over your face.  You waited for him to say something, and you were shocked when his eyes fell to your lips. His own tongue swiped across his pink lips but before this could go any further, you ripped your hand from his grasp and walked away into the back room, leaving him there. 

“Where have you been?” Kie exclaimed when you walked into the chateau an hour after you were meant to. She looked up from the boys to your face, gasping when she spotted the darkening bruise that was starting to shot up around your left eye. “What happened to you?” 

You glanced around the room quickly, noting that the blonde that left the Wreck was nowhere to be seen. “I-umh, I fell and hit my face on the corner of the bar. It’s nothing really.” You mumbled, wincing when Kie reached to touch it, “Don’t do that.” You hissed, slapping her hand away. 

“Ouch…” John B whistled, tossing you a bottle of beer that was much needed. You downed it in half a second, before reaching for another one. The brunette boy shared a look at your cousin, which you ignored before crashing down on the couch beside Pope and released the bubble of worry that has been forming in your lungs since you left The Wreck. 

You managed to avoid any questions from your family about your new black eye over the last few days, you also successfully managed to avoid JJ, which wasn’t hard when he was staying away from you. It was Wednesday, the sun was hanging high in the sky and Kiara was forcing you to go out on the boat with her and the gang. It didn’t take you long to agree, you refused to let JJ ruin your yearly trip. You walked along the dock beside Kiara, looking to where the HMS was pulling up to collect you.

Your eyes immediately connected with the blue-eyed blonde who was navigating the boat before he turned his attention to the horizon in front of him. Pope grasped your hand, helping you onto the boat and took the icebox from your other hand. You smiled at him, as a silent thank you and made yourself comfortable, despite being under the scrutiny of JJ. His face was still busted up, his lip was swollen and he had a black eye that matched yours perfectly. 

JJ found the perfect spot to anchor the boat. He was a lot quieter than usual, he hadn’t spoken to you once which was odd, you were waiting for him to throw a nasty comment your way. You were sure you weren’t the only one to notice, Kie had given you a puzzled look when JJ turned his back. 

“I think I could get used to this.” John B was the first to break the intense silence, sipping on his beer. 

“Used to what?” You asked, biting the bate first. 

“You and JJ getting along.” Kie and Pope both groaned in unison at John B’s words.

Kie slapped him on the back of the head, “Why jinx it?” 

You ignored JJ’s stare and stood up on the boat, “I’m going for a swim.” You announced, stripping from your shorts and tank. You caught JJ’s eyes scanning up and down your body before he gulped, and chugged down his beer. You didn’t say anything to entertain the situation, you just dived into the marsh, wincing at the shock of the cold water.

The day passed by quickly and for the most part, it was filled with laughter and generally a good time. The sun was setting in front of you and you laid on the front of the boat soaking up the last of the rays, the others were chatting in pairs but you felt that you had chatted enough for the day. You bopped your head to the music that was playing from the speaker JJ brought along and you were lost in your own thoughts. You hadn’t noticed someone sitting beside you until their knee buckled against yours and you jumped at the contact.

JJ chuckled at your frightened state and you sighed, ignoring the blond. He handed you a cold beer and you reluctantly reached out for it. “I didn’t poison it.” He huffed, drinking is own full one. 

“I wouldn’t put that past you.” You replied, eventually accepting the beer. 

You sat in silence for a moment, you weren’t sure if you were enjoying his company. You could feel the warmth radiate from his bare torso and he smelt of seawater and weed; something about that combination weirdly comforted you. “Y/N, I… I just wanted to thank you for the other night.” JJ sighed, running his fingers through his wet hair. It was a good look for him.

“It’s all good.” You mumbled, focusing your attention on the sunset in front of you. 

“No, honestly. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you just left me for dead.” JJ pursued his lips, swallowing back a lump that formed in his throat. You heard the croak in his voice and looked up to his face, seeing his blue eyes glistening. Was JJ about to cry in front of you? The thought made you uncomfortable, you didn’t know how to comfort someone you hated. But did you really hate him? 

“JJ,” You sighed, sitting up straight. “I-that thought never even occurred to me… to leave you, I mean. You’re Kie’s friend, and that means I have your back.” 

JJ licked his lips, looking down at you and he forced a closed smile, trying not to let the tears fall. “I was thinking… I think we should try to be friends.” You were shocked at his words, and you raised your brow as if asking him to elaborate on this sudden epiphany. “I’m tired of arguing with you, and after seeing you beat up those two kooks, I don’t want to be on your bad side anymore.” 

You stiffened a laugh, chuckling along with JJ. You shook your head, a small smile on your face before you nodded, agreeing. “Let’s try this.” You reached your hand out to JJ, watching him shake it as if you just made a million-dollar deal. “But if I remember correctly, you were once a victim of my right hook.” 

“Please don’t remind me. That traumatized me.”

This trip was slowly starting to make its way into the top three of your favorites. Ever since JJ waved the white flag of surrender, everything felt a lot easier. You weren’t looking over your shoulder every twenty minutes waiting for him to make a comment and your brain wasn’t working on overdrive trying to come back with a good enough comeback. Instead, you were actually laughing with him and getting along with him better than you expected. 

That’s how you ended up being the one to collect him from one of his work places. You were parked outside a massive, fancy hotel tapping your fingers against the steering wheel of John B’s van waiting for the blonde to appear. Never in a million years did you think you would willingly volunteer to collect JJ from work. You knocked down the sunshade, looking in the mirror at your appearance and cringing at the sight of the purple bruise still evident on your face. It was slowly getting better and sometimes, you even forgot it was there. 

“That makes you look like a badass.” JJ chimed, jumping into the passenger side of the van. You jumped at the sound of his voice, shooting him a glare. “Sorry.” He laughed, a pink tint framing his cheeks. 

You started the van up driving in the direction of John B’s house, the feeling of excitement brewing now that you were finally going to be able to join them down at the boneyard. You liked how there wasn’t intense tension surrounding you, it was comfortable despite only being friends for a couple of days. “For your information, I am a badass.”

JJ whistled, rolling down the window and sticking his arm out. “Don’t I know it,” He grinned at you, and you noticed a fresh cut on his face. 

“How’d you get that?” Your eyes flickered from the road to his face, watching his fingers wipe the dried in blood. “Nearly seventeen and you’re still getting into fights…” You hummed, raised eyebrows.

“You’re not the only badass in this van.” He winked, making you roll your eyes. 

“No, but you’re the only dumbass.” Looking out the driver’s window, you hid the smile that was spreading across your face. JJ chuckled, reaching for his hat to take it off and he ran his fingers through his mop of blonde hair before putting it back on backwards. “Do you want to go home first to get changed?”

JJ’s breath hitched in his throat, eying the shorts he was wearing and the grey shirt. He noted the blood stain on his shorts, but shook his head in protest. “Nah, I’ll be good.” You ignored the shaking in his voice, nodding in acknowledgement before stepping on the gas. 

You walked onto the beach, side by side with JJ, and were surprised when you noticed how big the crowd already was. It was nearing the end of the summer, every touron wanted to get their last kegger in before they had to go back to their mundane life. You understood how they felt, knowing you weren’t going to be here for much longer. It didn’t take long for you to allocate the Pogues gathered around a beer keg and you danced over to where Kiara was, your hips swaying to the music. JJ couldn’t help watch you as you left his side, nibbling on his bottom lip. A blush crept up his neck when he realised that he was checking out your ass and he swallowed his saliva, bringing his attention to where Pope was. 

“What was that?” His friend asked him, looking between you and the blonde. 

“Umh, nothing.” JJ responded, taking the cup filled with liquor that JB offered him. 

“You were totally checking Y/N out, man. Since when did that happen?” John B chimed into the conversation making JJ groan with annoyance. 

“I was not.” He defended himself, chucking the beer back. His eyes looked over the rim of the red cup, watching you laugh with Sarah and Kie. His heart fluttered and that feeling of nausea was back, which he realised was not a feeling of being revolted by your presence, instead it was a mixture of nerves and lust. 

“Look, he’s doing it again.” John B laughed, “I can’t believe this.” 

“Can’t believe what?” Sarah asked, walking up to the brunette and wrapped her arms around his neck. Instantly, his arms circled around her waist pulling her body closer to him. JJ shot John B a pointed look, as if telling him not to say another word, but that only maybe Sarah’s face washed over with confusion. “What’s going on?” 

“I just got into another fight with one of your kind.” JJ replied, finishing his drink and filling it up again. Sarah rolled her eyes, choosing to ignore him. She was used to his anger and distaste to Kooks and she just learned to live with it. 

When you twirled around to the music, your body froze and your stare was focused on three Kooks making their own onto the beach. Their eyes were scanning the crowd, as if looking for something, or someone. You made your way over to JJ who situated himself on a large log beside Pope, you subtly tapped him on the shoulder and he looked up at you in shock. His eyes followed your stare and they widened, he stood up from his sitting position and grabbed your hand, dragging you in the opposite direction of the three boys that you punched nearly a week ago. 

Your friends' eyes all followed your retreating bodies, confusion evident on everyone’s face but you decided it was best to explain later. JJ led you away from the scanning eyes. You couldn’t help but notice how warm his hand felt in yours, his fingers engulfed yours and when he pulled you in the direction of the lifeguard’s hut, your thoughts imagined other ways that he could use his strength over you. 

“In here,” JJ instructed, opening the hut and letting you enter first. He closed the door behind him, his heart hammering against his chest as he looked out onto the beach from the windows and trying to scan for the men. He stood there in front of you, you remained in the middle of the wooden room, he was conflicted with his decision to bring you here but he wasn’t in the mood for another fight. JJ looked at you and he let out a nervous laugh, reaching to scratch the back of his neck. A string of giggles escaped from your throat and you shook your head, releasing a sigh of relief you didn’t realise you were holding. 

“We can’t hide in here all night.” You chuckled, leaning against the bare wall. “Or we should have bought some alcohol if we were.” 

“Shit, yeah…” JJ muttered, looking around the room to see that it was nearly empty. A desk and a chair occupied the room, an empty cooler and that was it. He hummed along to the music that felt like miles away but he knew the song well enough to go on his own. “We’ll just hang here for a bit, wait until they fuck off.” 

“Were they the ones that gave you that cut?” You asked, bringing his attention to the new addition to his injuries. 

JJ chewed on the inside of his cheek, not wanting to get into the conversation of him fighting but when you looked up at him with those eyes, he wanted to tell you every little detail. He wasn’t used to feeling like this around people, and he definitely wasn’t expecting to feel like this around you but you brought a sense of calmness to him. “No, this was actually Topper.” 

“Is he still bothering you?” You gasped, shaking your head in disbelief. “They just don’t give up, do they?” 

“Nah, they’re pretty stubborn.” 

“Nearly as stubborning as the Pogues.” Teasing him, you liked the way that he didn’t take offense to everything you said now and how he welcomed little bickers with you. The longer you were stuck in the hut with him, the more time it gave you to watch him. He was definitely attractive, probably the best looking man on this island but there was something behind his eyes, something that made him look lost and sad. The thought of him hurting made your chest tighten. 

JJ kicked your ankles gently, making you crash to the floor. He tumbled with laughter, bending over and holding his stomach. You looked up at him from the floor, shocked. “I-I’m sorry but you… you were asking for it.” He said in between his howls of laughter. When his laughter calmed down, you dived into simple conversation about your lives and it just flowed so easily. It wasn’t until the sun completely set that you knew it was time to burst this bubble you have formed and head back to the rest of the Pogues. JJ stood up first, reaching to grab your hand and pull you up. You expected him to let go but you didn’t complain when his fingers intertwined with yours and he walked out of the hut. 

The smile on your face only lasted a couple of seconds, when you came face to face with a boy that you met briefly last week when you introduced him to your first. “That’s them, officer.” 

“Wh-what?” You coughed out, looking at the three kooks that were occupied by the county sheriff. “What’s going on?” You yelled, when JJ’s hand got ripped from yours. The commotion slowed down, everything felt like a blur and you could hear the cackle of the three unnamed boys. 

“You’re under arrest for…” The blood pumped in your ears and you looked at JJ in shock, his face going pale. You screamed when your arms were pulled behind you and tears formed in your eyes when the feeling of steel wrapped around your wrist.

“Hey, hey, leave her alone. It had nothing to do with her.” JJ yelled in protest, the sheriff looked at the boy before shrugging. 

“Fine, looks like you’re my bitch for the night then.” He released the handcuffs that were on your wrist but the tears didn’t falter. You watched as he bent JJ over, tightening the cuffs on his wrist making him wince. 

“JJ-” You started but he shook his head, ceasing your protests.

“This ain’t my first rodeo, princess.” The blue-eyed boy chuckled, but you caught sight of a single tear rolling down his cheek. You watched him disappear into the darkness with the sheriff, the three boys trailing behind them. You choked out tears before retreating back to the Pogues, hoping someone will be able to help JJ. 

The days went by slowly, it was strangely quiet around the Chateau now that JJ wasn’t crashing there. The last you heard, bail was posted but he hadn’t left his house since. When you went back to the gang, they kept interrogating you with questions about what happened the night at The Wreck and you came clear with them. It was silly not telling them when it first happened, especially Kiara, but it just felt like a secret that bonded you and JJ. You didn’t realise how much you were missing the blonde; everytime the door to John B’s house, you perked up but then deflated much to your other friends’ dismay. 

You only had a week left on the Island and the longer you were alone with your own thoughts, the more you began to see JJ in a different light. When the anger and frustration towards him that fogged your mind dispersed, you couldn’t help but deny the obvious connection you had created with him in such a small time. It’s why you found yourself walking towards his house, knowing where he lived because Kie would drive by to pick him up with you in the car sometimes. 

When the house came into view, you hitched a breath of nerves. How were you going to tell the man you once hated that you actually liked him? The only benefit to this plan was that you were leaving soon, so if he didn’t share the same feelings, it would give you a year to get over him. You walked up the trial, seeing someone on the porch. The closer you got, the more attention the man paid to you.

“Can I help you?” He called out, making you stop in your tracks.

“H-hi, I’m just looking for JJ, is he here?” Your voice was shy, almost weak as the man stared you down. He stood up from the stool he was sitting on and leaned up against the wooden porch, eying you up and down. You swallowed back a lump in your throat, feeling suddenly uncomfortable.

“What’s a pretty girl like you want with a piece of shit like my son?” The words JJ’s father spoke shocked you, your eyes widening.

“E-excuse me, sir?” You stuttered, not sure if he was joking with you but his expression remained stern. You were about to answer his question when JJ walked out of the door, not noticing you at first. His grey cap rested over his messy hair and he was wearing an unbuttoned shirt. He looked at his father before following his line of sight and his blue eyes widened when he saw you. 

JJ rushed from the porch, grabbing the top of your arm and pulling you away from his house. “What are you doing here?” He hissed through clenched teeth. He dragged you out of sight from his father, who returned to what he was working on before. You were still in shock with what his father said about him, and it wasn’t until JJ spoke again that your attention was brought to his face. “Well?” 

Your eyes scanned JJ’s face, his whole left side bruised and his lip was busted again. He hasn’t been seen around the island in days, and your eyes trailed down his chest that was exposed, showing more bruises littering around his torso. “JJ-” You gasped, reaching out to softly caress his chest. JJ winced at the touch, not because it hurt him but because it brought a sudden wave of comfort over him and his eyes fluttered closed. You began putting the pieces of the puzzle together and your heart ached. “JJ, was this your father?” You whimpered, his eyes locked on you and the watering of them gave you your answer. “Oh my god…” 

“Look… Y/n, the boys know, alright? I-it’s not some crazy secret…” JJ muttered, his bottom lip began trembling and you immediately wrapped your arms around his body, pulling him closer to you. JJ hesitated for a moment before he circled his arms around you as well, bringing his face into the crook of your neck and you could feel his chest heaving as he sobbed into you. 

You didn’t care how much time passed by as you stood there holding JJ, you wouldn’t care even if it started lashing rain. You were going to hold him for as long as he needed. “I’m so sorry…” JJ huffed into your neck and his breath tickling your skin, sending goosebumps down your body.

“No, JJ, you don’t have to be sorry.” You whispered, running your hand up and down his back as a soothing technique. JJ pulled back, much to your dismay and your hands left his body. The coldness immediately swamping around you, but you tried to hide the disappointment on your face. “Was this my fault?” You asked, pointing to his busted lip.

“What? No, of course not.” 

“If you didn’t get arrested that night, would this have happened?” You questioned again, and you felt nauseous at the look on JJ’s face that confirmed your thoughts. “Oh god…” You mumbled, your hand covering your mouth as you started to cry. “I’m so sorry.” It was your turn to apologise, and you kept repeating it over and over again. 

JJ hesitated again before wrapping you in his arms this time. “Look, if it wasn’t that night. It would have been another night. I don’t blame you in the slightest.” JJ reassured you, brushing your hair down with his hand. He’s never comforted a crying girl before, and he never thought he would be the one to ever comfort you but he liked it. He liked looking after you. 

“I’m sorry,” You said again, causing JJ to groan. “You don’t deserve to be treated like this.” You whispered softly into his chest. The words caused JJ’s heart to skip a beat, you saying that meant more to him than you’d ever known. He was the one that gave you such a hard time on the island, he knew you gave him just the same amount of challenges, but to hear you say that he deserved better made him feel like he already had better with you.

“Stop saying that.” He chuckled, smiling amongst the tears trying to ignore the bubbling feeling of adoration. His eyes were red and puffed, his face flushed and you knew you probably resembled his look, except he probably pulled it off a lot better than you did. “What has you here anyways?” JJ asked, wanting nothing more than to bring the attention away from his father’s antics. 

You sighed, realising that now was definitely not the time to tell him how you truly felt. Licking your lips, you forced a closed smile in his direction. “I-we missed you, we wanted to see how you were doing.” 

“We?” JJ asked, raising his brows and his lips held a teasing smirk that made your stomach erupt in butterflies. 

“We, you know, your friends.” You laughed, smacking his chest playfully. 

“That’s a pity…” He replied, pouting at you. 

“What is?” Your eyes narrowed, daring him to continue this banter that was bouncing between your bodies. 

JJ was about to say something but his father’s voice interrupted him. He yelled something incoherent and JJ groaned, “I have to get back.” 

You grabbed JJ’s hand in yours as he started to walk away, pulling him to a stop. He raised his brow in your direction, but you just sent him a small smile. “Come by the chateau tonight, please.” You didn’t want him going back to his father but you knew you had no power over him and his decisions. JJ returned your smile, his eyes softening and he tugged his hand from yours, walking back to his house. 

When JJ walked into the chateau later that night, he was met with the cheers and sighs of relief from his friends. He greeted everyone with hugs and fistbumps before his eyes found your body, he sent you a quick wink and you just rolled your eyes, biting your bottom lip to stop the grin erupting on your face. It was a relief to you that he was here, you knew he was safer here than anywhere else on the island. 

It shocked you when JJ took a beer from the fridge and planted himself down beside you, his thigh touching yours. He stretched his legs out in front of him and he slumped closer to you. “Hey,” He said, flinging his hat off to hit John B on the head. His blonde hair remained tousled around his forehead, even after he dragged in fingers through it. Oh, how you wished you could feel your fingers going through it. The thought caused your face to heat up, and you turned your attention to Kie and Pope in their own conversation. 

The night passed by quicker than you wanted it to. Another day closer to returning home. It was nice having everyone back over, it just wasn’t complete when JJ wasn’t around. He brought a light of joy and laughter to the room, despite the circumstances that he was going through. You appreciated him, a lot and you wish you could tell him just how you felt. 

Kie stood up from the floor, arms stretching above her head and she looked at you. “Ready to go?” You hummed in agreement, trying to hide your disappointment as you followed her actions. 

JJ’s heart raced when you stood up and he reached out to grab your wrist, you looked down at him in confusion. “I-uhm, I can walk you home in a while, if you want.” He mumbled, trying not to gain the attention of his friends but it was too late. Kiara’s eyes widened, Pope and John B shared a bewildered look and you looked like a deer in the headlights. 

You swallowed back the shock before nodding, “Yeah, yeah, I’d like that.” 

“Well, okay. I guess I’ll see you in the morning.” Kie hummed in confusion, not knowing what was going on. 

“I’ll come with you then.” Pope smiled, not wanting Kiara to leave by herself even though he knew no one would mess with her. They both left together after saying their goodbyes. It was just you, JJ, and John B left in the living room. 

John B twisted on his heels, looking between the pair of you. JJ nodded his head towards his bedroom, trying to get him to leave them alone. John B choked on the beer he had taken a sip of, “I’ll leave you two… alone?” John B furrowed his brows and retreated to his bedroom, muttering something underneath his breath. 

You stayed quiet, picking at a loose thread on your shorts. You were very aware of the fact that JJ was looking at you, studying your facial expressions. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you just there.” JJ broke the silence, you twisted on your seat to look at him, shaking your head.

“You didn’t embarrass me, JJ. Why would you think they did?” 

“They probably think something is going on between us,” JJ chuckled, and you tried to play it off as a joke, “I just wanted to say thank you, for earlier I mean. You didn’t have to come over to check on me.” 

“I wanted to.” You smiled at him, watching him suck in his bottom lip. You wanted to groan at the action, finding it unbelievably sexy. “I never thanked you for taking the fall for me either.”

JJ sighed, running his hand over his face. “It was my fault you got into the fight, it was the least I could do especially when you hated me at the time.” 

Hated me. The words suppressed your mind, they got you thinking. “To be honest with you, JJ. I don’t think I ever really hated you.” You looked at his expression seeing it softening and he looked more vulnerable than he usually does. “I think it was a way to disguise other feelings…” You added, cringing when the words left your lips. 

“W-what?” JJ questioned, sitting up straighter. You quickly stood up from the couch, the action startling JJ and he followed your lead. He stood up, watching you nearly start hyperventilating. He grabbed your shoulders, stopping you from pacing and his eyes studied your face. “You like me?” He asked, his pink lips parted. 

You whined something inaudible, avoiding his face before nodding shyly. “Yeah, I do, JJ and I don’t know when I started to feel like this, it… it just happened.” 

“Are you sure?” JJ insisted, his arms still holding onto you tightly. When you nodded again, JJ pulled you closer to his body and scanned your face quickly, for any hint of regret or hesitation, before he crashed his lips onto yours. JJ forgot what it was like to share a kiss with someone he actually cared about, he was sweet and patient with it. He brought his hand to your cheek, cupping it as his lips moved with yours. Your world felt like it was spinning, like this couldn’t be happening but it was. You were kissing JJ Maybank and your heart was filling with love, admiration, happiness with every second that passed.

JJ pulled away from your lips, his eyes fluttering open and you could feel his lashes tickling your face. You opened your eyes to see his blue orbs sparkling. “Do that again.” You whispered, bringing your lips to his, not wanting to forget how this moment felt. You ignored the twisting in your gut reminding you that you were leaving in less than a week, that you would be leaving this island and not returning for far too long. It was as if the same feelings washed over JJ and he pulled back, sighing. “What?” You whispered.

“I just can’t believe that it’s taken me this long to feel this.” JJ enlightened you, embracing you tightly. “And I’ll be losing you soon.”

You lifted your palm to JJ’s face, brushing your fingers over the evident bruises before kissing his nose, then each of his cheeks, then his lips again for a second. “You won’t ever lose me, JJ. You’re stuck with me now.” 

He chuckled at your words, bringing his lips back to yours and you fell into a sweet routine that consisted of the perfect amount of talking and kissing. You both agreed to not talk about you leaving, enjoying every moment that you had together from then onwards.

🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻

apologies for any typos, i wasn’t arsed to proofread it after spending hours writing it oops 

but pls gimme feedback, i beg, ty

#scout's writing challenge #jj maybank #jj maybank x y/n #jj maybank imagine #jj maybank x reader #jj maybank imagines #jj maybank oneshot #outer banks #the outer banks #outer banks imagine #outer banks fanfic #rudy pankow #rudy pankow x reader #rudy pankow imagine #ppwritingchallenge #outer banks netflix #obx #kiara carrera #pope heyward #john b #john b routledge #sarah cameron

[minervahopebeyond]

Blood Petals

Hi! i decided to write this (which is a big deal for me because I’ve never post anything on ao3), it’s an idea I had for a while now and I really hope you like it as much as I enjoyed writing it.. (It’s going to be a multichapter Drarry fanfic with background prongsfoot). English is not my first lenguage so I apologize if there’s any grammar or vocabulary errors. 

Summary:

Draco Malfoy follows Harry Potter into the ministry in fifth year.

Or

How Draco Malfoy managed to bring shame into his family, get hanahaki and bring Potter’s father from the dead, all in one day.

Chapter 1 : The deal.

It was rather bizar to think that Draco Malfoy, Slytherin prince, had put himself willingly in this position. Looking back to it, following Potter and his gryffindors into the ministry was just stupid. No award that could had been given by Umbridge for caughing them all by himself was worth this. Not even scarhead ridiculous face when they would finally expel him.

It was easy enough, the others were too caugh up in their nonsense plan to notice him following them with another thestral. Once they had infiltrated the ministry he just kept his distance, put a notice me not on himself just in case and moved along with them. At this point Draco was intrigued, what the hell was this important to have Potter this anxious and murderous at the same time...he just kept talking about this bloody door. Draco was intrigued indeed.

What’s most curious about this whole fucking situation is that Draco Malfoy had known that he was in love with Harry bloody Potter since he saw him at Madam Malkin’s. Even with the horrible clothes and the glasses sightly crooked, the blond boy saw him and instantly fell in love, of course that was a disaster and it became more embarrassing when the beautiful boy refused to shake his hand on the train while defending the weasel. Draco Malfoy always thought he was good at hiding this very problematic feeling because, since he knew it existed, he would just do his very best effort in hating Potter every morning of every day since he was eleven. Never in his life thought he would act so utterly stupid and let it be known that he loved Harry bloody Potter.

“Give me the prophesy and your friends will be... Draco? What in Salazar’s name are you doing here?” The Malfoy heir thought about answering that he had a very stupid idea and now he was here but his father was with aunt Bella, the rest of them were masked; this were full grown dark wizards against a group of fifteen year olds, it didn’t fucking feel fair. Trust him to get a conscience when less needed, Merlin. At this point, Potter and his lot where all staring at him like he was a death eater himself. So he put his most disgusting grin and spoked.

“Hello, father. I came to help, of course.”

“See, Lucius! I told you he would be an excellent addition to the ranks, look at him, he is already doing more for the cause than we did when we were at school.” It was surreal how much he hated aunt Bella sometimes. How did his angel of a mother came to have such lunatic as a sister was frankly a mistery.

He looked at Potter directly in the eyes and muttered “run, now”, he frowned and gave Draco a look of understanding. Then the prophesies were all falling and they were all running away from there together. And that’s how Draco Malfoy found himself firing spells to his own blood next to The Veil. The day just kept getting creepier and ridiculous by the minute.

He really was terrified through it all. Not that he was going to show it in front of the gryffindors, thank you very much. And of course they were all caught by full on death eaters. It was ridiculous. Where was the pureblood honor or whatever in fighting fifteen year olds?

“Get off my godson” The punch was immaculate. Suddenly the fighting restarted and they asked them, the students, to stay out of it. Draco then pulled a face because, why the hell would he put himself in the middle of trained wizards, seriously. He heard Potter complain and step forward, and (against every logical attempt to keep his dignity) the blond boy caugh Potter’s arm and pulled him back next to him.

“Malfoy, what the hell.”

“Does that scar fuck with your brain or something? I figured you were an idiot a long time ago but suicidal, Potter?”

The dark haired boy just stood there, frowning at him with a disbelieving look in his eyes, as if he was trying to understand him. But then they heard Sirius Black in trouble and Potter ran to him so fast and he ran behind him of course, because fuck dignity he would most likely be blasted off the family tapestry anyway just for helping the blood traitors and the mudbloods earlier.

He saw his aunt, watching his cousin while he was fighting his father, with the smirk that he hated. It sent chills down his spine. And suddenly he knew. Potter was too focused on the fucking fight, he couldn’t see her raising her wand, vile look in her eyes.

He thrown himself, pushing Sirius away, as the green light passed by them. An inch, he could have been dead. What an unslytherin thing to do, Salazar.

“Did you just save my life? You are Cissy’s boy aren’t you?”

“We need help. Now. Cover for me.”

And then he was running towards the veil. It was a stupid idea, for sure. He had read it in a book at the Manor, really bloody stupid and dangerous blood magic. Whatever, it was break rules or die, the end justified the means. He casted a diffindo in his hand and spilled the blood all in front of the arc. He could hear his father utterly furious, he most likely knew what he was doing, not that it would stop him though. Everything went cold, time just stoped. It was then that he heard the voice of death.

“Who calls me?”

Her voice was enchanting, like a muse of darkness. He fought the impulse to walk through the veil to meet her in the peaceful afterlife.

“Draco Lucius Malfoy, I have a very urgent request, your Highness”

“You are young”

“I am”

“What is the request, boy?”

“I need a life that has been taken by someone other than you. To fix what has been corrupted.”

“I see your desire at heart and I understand what you are asking for but I must warn you, boy: it will cost you.”

He almost backed out then. She was going to ask for something awful, because to alter the balance of nature, compromises must be made. He knew that.

“Whatever it takes.”

“You shall have two years to get the heart you crave for, otherwise you will come to join me in my realm. The love that flourishes in your heart will take your life.” How utterly predictable, Potter was going to be the one who kills him in the end.

“I accept.”

A blinding light came from the veil while the curtains just opened themselves. Time started to run again, the lights of the spells continued, the screams of his father became more severe, and James Fleamont Potter walked through the arc of death into the realm of the living.

“Lucius?”

“His son actually. If you have a wand you can point it to my lovely family so we can not die today though.”

Sirius laughed and started fighting more forcefully than before. With hope, he noticed. Potter just stood there, frozen in place, while everyone else fought like there was no tomorrow.

They must’ve heard the minister arrive because the death eaters apparated away in the middle of the fight. This was the moment when Draco remembered that he just did a blood deal with death herself and that was very much illegal, like Azkaban for life don’t matter the age of the ofender illegal.

“I need to run now.”

He started going to the door, trying to remember in which floor where they so he could get away from that place quickly as possible when He felt someone grabbing his arm.

“Wait, kid. Where are you going?”

“Mr. Potter, I’m really glad that what I did worked and you are alive but if you don’t let me get away from here this instant I will stupefy you. I’m going to end up in Azkaban if I don’t..”

“I don’t know what you are talking about, nobody saw anything besides Jamie walking through that thing.” His cousin spoke, determined, then he turn around to the rest of them, all shocked faces. “Right?”

It was Professor Lupin who nodded and spoke first. “Yes, of course. Nobody saw.” The adults all agreed with them. Potter and the rest of his lot just nodded, probably didn’t understand what the hell he did.

“Is this permanent?”

It was the tone in his voice that made Draco flinched, then a wave of guilt washed over him. All the times he spent making fun of Potter for not having parents came to his mind right there. This boy was looking at him, asking if he just did a cruel thing like bring his father back from the dead just for it to be taken away in a short time.

“It’s permanent ,Potter. I’m not that awful.” He paused for a moment, thinking about if he should tell them or not, but his narrow piercing green eyes where looking at him, trying to find proof. “I made a deal with her, it’s permanent”

“Her?” How the weasel never knew anything, even though he was a pureblood, always surprised him.

“Death.” He answered.

If you liked it please let me know!  every share, reblog or comment it wellcome :) you can also find me in Ao3 as MinervaHope 

#drarry #fanfic #fanfiction #prongsfoot

[darkwatercomics]

~ Issue # 11 ~ Book One: Chapter Eleven: A World Without Magic ~

PAGE 1, PANEL 1

Insert.

Close up of Jesse’s eye, reflecting the burning hotel in front of her.

ARTIST NOTE: Inserts are to be read vertically and positioned from top to bottom going down the left side of the full page splash.

CAPTION: “There are moments in your life when you really have to chose to do something, when you just can’t stand by any longer. ”

PAGE 1, PANEL 2

Insert.

Close up of the right side of her face on the left of the panel. She’s looking breathless, dishevelled, blood running down from her forehead.

CAPTION: “It’s that age old question, the burning building question. What would you do in that moment? If it meant life or death for someone, would you have the courage to run toward the flames?”

PAGE 1, PANEL 3

Insert.

Head to chest shot of her with the main street burning behind her.

CAPTION: “I’d never really faced that choice, never really thought about it. But here it was and I was right in the middle of it. I could walk away or I could try to help him. It was really that simple.”

PAGE 1, PANEL 4

FULL PAGE SPLASH: Full shot of her from behind, stood watching outside the hotel as it burns, being consumed by flames, part of it collapsed in on itself, the ground bathed in a fiery glow.

CAPTION: “It was one of those defining moments you never see coming.”

CAPTION: “The kind that can change everything.”

PAGE 2, PANEL 1

Half page panel. Full shot of Magellan from behind with Noah facing him, the main building of the Byzantine Academy, along with Elijah, Marissa and Valentyne, as well as the Ministry guards in the background of the panel. Many of the students are now outside in the courtyard. It’s no longer raining. As in the previous issue the words ‘Way Back When’ are written in chalk on the ground.

NOAH: You really think we’d believe that? That you’d just walk away.

PAGE 2, PANEL 2

Two panels on this vertical tier. Head and shoulders semi-profile shot of Magellan. There’s a definite forcefulness to his stare, an authority.

MAGELLAN: What point would there be in taking anyone against their will. Blind followers serve no purpose, they stand for nothing. If my truth is not their truth then so be it. I can only enlighten those who are open to it, each of us must find our own path.

PAGE 2, PANEL 3

Head to chest shot of Noah, with Elijah, Marissa and Valentyne behind.

MARISSA: Wise words, Alfred, but you were always good with words.

NOAH: And it doesn’t change anything.

PAGE 2, PANEL 4

Two panels on this bottom tier. Head to chest shot of Magellan, The Twelve stood behind him and the shadowy shapes of his followers.

MAGELLAN: My acolytes grow restless, Noah, it would be prudent not to delay further. Some of them are young, inexperienced, as are your students. All it would take would be one single mistake, one moment of panic for this to get out of hand.

PAGE 2, PANEL 5

Over the shoulder shot of Noah with a full shot of Magellan facing him.

NOAH: Is that a threat?

MAGELLAN: It is … advice. The sooner I speak the sooner we will leave.

NOAH: I will not allow you to speak to them.

PAGE 3, PANEL 1

Three panels on this top tier. Head to chest shot of Magellan from Noah’s P.O.V. His whole body language has changed instantly, no longer calm or controlled. He’s stiff now, a contained fury in his eyes.

MAGELLAN: Allow?

PAGE 3, PANEL 2

Full profile shot of Megallan and Noah, now only a few feet apart, Magellan is leant forward, a blast of blue energy coming from his hands, with Noah’s head being thrown back with the impact of it hitting.

MEGALLAN: If I did this, what would you allow then?

PAGE 3, PANEL 3

A ground level shot of Magellan from behind in the foreground, with a shaken Noah fallen to the ground at the feet of Elijah, Marissa and Valentyne. Marissa is crouched, her hand on Noah’s shoulders, as she looks angrily over at Magellan. Behind them students are looking on in shock and the Ministry guards stand ready.

VALENTYNE: Alfred, don’t do this.

MAGELLAN: Michael, you’ve been very quiet. I thought you would have welcomed this, welcomed a chance for your voice to be heard.

PAGE 3, PANEL 4

Three panels on this bottom tier. Head to chest semi-profile shot of Valentyne, glaring across at Magellan with a stare of grim defiance.

VALENTYNE: Then you thought wrong, Alfred, I have my problems with the Normals and the Ministry, that’s no secret, but this isn’t the way. This way, your way, only puts innocent lives at risk.

VALENTYNE: It’s think it’s time you left.

PAGE 3, PANEL 5

Forehead to chin semi-profile shot of Magellan, his face filling the panel.

MAGELLAN: This is a mistake. You are making a mistake, all of you.

PAGE 3, PANEL 6

Full profile shot of Valentyne and Magellan facing each other, both now in a defensive position, hands half raised, glowing with the familiar blue energy. It’s a stand off, neither making the first move.

VALENTYNE: Maybe you’re right, but it’s our mistake to make.

PAGE 4, PANEL 1

SPLASH: Full shot of Valentyne and Amaris from behind, stood in the desert outskirts of Magic Town, shadows thrown along the ground by the gleam of the moon. The town itself sits quiet under a sky of stars. Written in the sand are the words ‘19 Years Later.’

ARTIST NOTE: The title is written on the bottom of the panel, on the ground of the desert, Book One: Chapter 11, A World Without Magic.

AMARIS: Seems pretty quiet.

VALENTYNE: Then we proceed with caution.

AMARIS: Always.

PAGE 4, PANEL 2

Two panels on this bottom tier. Head to waist profile shot of them, with Amaris in the foreground of the panel, looking to the town.

VALENTYNE: Are you up to this, Amaris?

AMARIS: Of course.

VALENTYNE: I’m not questioning your loyalty.

AMARIS: I know.

PAGE 4, PANEL 3

Similar to the previous panel but now it’s a head to chest shot of them.

AMARIS: He’s still my brother, but you can rely on me. I’ll go where this takes us. He’s made his bed now, up to him if lays on it.

PAGE 5, PANEL 1

Page width panel. On the left of the panel in the foreground is a full shot of Tom from behind, stood in the entrance of an alcove. It’s wider and lower than the alcove seen in issue # 10. On the right of the panel, crouched in the shadows of the far corner, is Jobe. Written on the curved walls in chalk are the words ‘Way Back When.’

TOM: Jobe, are you okay? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.

JOBE: They lied, all of them, they lied. I heard what you said to the others.

TOM: It was just a vision, it may not be true. You already know that.

PAGE 5, PANEL 2

Two panels on this tier. Head to chest semi-profile shot of Jobe. He’s mostly in shadow, almost cowered into himself, looking fearful.

JOBE: But Magellan believes it. They let our parents die, Tom, they let them die.

PAGE 5, PANEL 3

Full shot of him in the foreground, with Tom stood in the background.

TOM: I don’t think it was like that. I don’t think they knew who we were.

JOBE: Why are you defending them? They’ve been lying to us all this time.

PAGE 5, PANEL 4

Two panels on this bottom tier. Similar shot of them to that of panel 1.

TOM: They were trying to protect us.

JOBE: Were they? Or were they just trying to protect themselves?

TOM: Jobe?

PAGE 5, PANEL 5

Similar to panel 3 but now it’s a closer head and shoulders shot of Jobe.

JOBE: They’re afraid of us, Tom, can’t you see that?

PAGE 6, PANEL 1

Page width panel. A similar shot of them to that of page 3, panel 1.

TOM: I don’t think it’s that …

JOBE: What else could it possibly be?

TOM: I … they’re not even sure it’s real.

PAGE 6, PANEL 2

Two panels on this tier. Similar to page 3, panel 2, a head to chest shot.

JOBE: So my parents died for something that may not even be real? All my life I’ve been lied to, they’ve only ever told me half the truth.

JOBE: In some ways I think that’s worse.

PAGE 6, PANEL 3

Forehead to chin semi-profile shot of Jobe, his face filling the panel.

JOBE: I think it’s me.

PAGE 6, PANEL 4

Two panels on this bottom tier. Similar to page 3, panel 3, full shot of Jobe cowered in the foreground, with Tom stood in the background.

TOM: What do you mean?

JOBE: I think it’s me. If it is true, I think I’m the one destined for darkness.

TOM: No, Jobe, why would you even think that?

PAGE 6, PANEL 5

Head and shoulders semi-profile shot of Jobe, still cowered, still fearful, mostly in shadow and looking down at the ground near him.

JOBE: Why wouldn’t I think that? I don’t fit in anywhere, I’ve always been alone, never had a normal life, never really had any friends.

JOBE: And worst of all I’m weak.

PAGE 7, PANEL 1

Page width panel. Similar to panel 1 of pages 5 and 6, but Tom has moved, now stood barely a foot away from Jobe, almost stood over him, both of their figures draped in the shadows of the alcove.

TOM: Jobe, you’re not weak.

JOBE: Aren’t I? Then why don’t I want him dead?

TOM: Magellan?

PAGE 7, PANEL 2

Two panels on this tier. Head to chest semi-profile shot of Jobe. He’s still looking down at the ground and clearly avoiding Tom’s gaze.

JOBE: I know if I had the chance to kill him, I wouldn’t. I couldn’t. He had my parents killed, but still I know I couldn’t do it.

JOBE: I’m too weak.

PAGE 7, PANEL 3

Head to chest semi-profile shot of Tom, draped in the shadows, the curved roof of the alcove also acting as the top border of the panel.

TOM: Jobe, listen to me, it’s not weak to not be able to kill someone. It takes strength not to want to kill someone who’s hurt you so badly, to not give in to the anger and hatred you feel every single day. Honestly, you’re stronger than I am. I think if ever got the chance I’d probably kill him, I don’t think I could stop myself trying.

PAGE 7, PANEL 4

Two panels on this bottom tier. Close up shot of Jobe, his eyes and the bridge of his nose filling the panel, the shadows draped across his face.

JOBE: Could you do it though, if it came to it, could you actually do it?

PAGE 7, PANEL 5

Similar to panel 3 but now it’s a closer head and shoulders shot of Tom.

TOM: I think so, I don’t think I’ll really know until the moment comes.

TOM: If it ever does.

PAGE 8, PANEL 1

Three panels on this top tier. Night. Exterior shot of the hotel. In the foreground is a head to waist profile shot of Lady Stardust and Izzie facing the Acolytes who follow Abel, still locked in a stand off.

CAPTION: “Time has finally caught us up, Tom. It’s been chasing us since that first day. This is your chance to change it, to put it all right.”

CAPTION: “Tell me where the Octagon is and I won’t have to hurt her, join me and I can show you the true power of magic. It doesn’t have to be gone. This world doesn’t have to be what you think it does.”

CAPTION: “We can change it.”

CAPTION: “Forever.”

PAGE 8, PANEL 2

Head to chest shot of Jeremiah from Abel’s P.O.V, clearly not convinced. He looks more like he’d rather fight Abel than join him.

JEREMIAH: I have no intention of changing the world. That’s not what this is.

PAGE 8, PANEL 3

Similar shot of Abel, a head to chest shot of him from Jeremiah’s P.O.V.

ABEL: Really? What exactly do you think will happen to the world with magic gone?

PAGE 8, PANEL 4

Two panels on this bottom tier. Forehead to chin shot of Jeremiah.

JEREMIAH: Magic has long served its purpose. It brings nothing to this world now. It’s infected by darkness. It only makes things worse. Once it was the ultimate light in the world, but now? What magic has become, that’s what I want gone. There’s no beauty left in it.

PAGE 8, PANEL 5

Head to waist shot of Abel grabbing Jesse from behind, his arm forcefully across her neck, catching her off guard. He has his other hand threateningly close to her face. There’s an uncontained fury in his eyes and his expression is one of utter disbelief.

ABEL: No beauty? It is everything! It is the secret of life itself! It is sunrise and sunset. It is endless, infinite, far beyond the limits of our understanding. How dare you be so arrogant to think you know it! I could end this Normal’s life in a blink of an eye and it would be utterly insignificant to the sheer majesty and power of magic!

PAGE 9, PANEL 1

Page width panel. On the left of the panel is Abel holding Jesse hostage, half turned, looking angrily over at Mother M, stood behind the bar, leaning on the counter, studying him very much as a teacher studies a student they’ve very much got the measure of.

MOTHER M: You know, after everything we taught you, this is really disappointing.

ABEL: Disappointing?

MOTHER M: Well, I thought we taught you better than this, that’s all.

PAGE 9, PANEL 2

Three panels on this tier. Head to waist shot of Mother M, still studying him, leant forward on the bar, clearly trying to provoke him.

MOTHER M: I mean, you really haven’t thought this through at all, have you? You’re clever, Abel, you always were, but it’s still the same old problem. You’ve got the ideas, the talent, but you never could apply yourself enough to ever get anything worthwhile done.

PAGE 9, PANEL 3

A similar shot to panel 2 but now it’s a closer head to waist shot of her.

MOTHER M: So, what’s the plan? Stir up a few Acolytes, threaten me, threaten the girl, get Tom to give up the location of the Octagon.

MOTHER M: Then what?

PAGE 9, PANEL 4

Similar to the previous two panels, but now a head and shoulders shot.

MOTHER M: No answer? That’s okay. I’d kind of assumed as much. You grew up, Abel, but you didn’t grow any wiser. It’s probably a good thing the school burnt down. Don’t think you would have graduated anyway. It certainly saved your parents any embarrassment. I’m not sure your father could’ve dealt with the shame.

PAGE 9, PANEL 5

Two panels on this bottom tier. Head and shoulders shot of Abel and Jesse, his arm still tight around her throat. He’s holding his other glowing hand barely an inch from her face now. He’s seems agitated, distracted even, trying his best to get his thoughts into focus.

ABEL: If I really haven’t thought this through at all, then I’m thinking maybe I might just end this now, end it all in a blaze of glory.

PAGE 9, PANEL 6

Full shot of Jesse, now violently elbowing Abel in the stomach, hitting him full force as he reacts out of surprise and stumbles backward.

JESSE: I’m thinking not!

PAGE 10, PANEL 1

Two panels on this top tier. Head to chest shot of Abel from Jesse’s P.O.V, a fury burning in his eyes, his hand glowing in the foreground.

ABEL: You treacherous …!

PAGE 10, PANEL 2

Head to chest shot of Jeremiah, reacting with alarm, acting instinctively, his glowing hand in the foreground, mirroring Abel‘s.

JEREMIAH: Abel, don’t!

PAGE 10, PANEL 3

Page width panel. Head to waist profile shot of Jeremiah and Abel facing each other, both releasing blue energy from their palms, which impact against each other between them, erupting outward.

PAGE 10, PANEL 4

SPLASH: Exterior shot of the hotel, the front windows and the main door exploding as blue light erupts out into the street, as well as shooting upward through the roof into the night sky above.

S.F.X: Boom!!!

PAGE 11, PANEL 1

Page width panel. Full shot of Valentyne and Amaris stood in an alleyway, looking up as the blue energy is seen over the town’s rooftops.

AMARIS: Well, that can’t be good.

PAGE 11, PANEL 2

Page width panel. Exterior shot of the main street, the buldings either side of it have been damaged, charred or set aflame by the explosion of the magical energy. The ground is littered with debris and flames. Izzie is helping Lady Stardust up, both of them with bloodied faces and ripped clothes, both looking pretty shocked. Mort and Winston are behind them and are helping each other up. Magic Kind behind are either recovering or lying unmoving.

IZZIE: What the Jesus F Christ just happened?

LADY STARDUST: Nothing good, Izz.

PAGE 11, PANEL 3

Page width panel. In the foreground is a full shot of them from behind, facing the hotel, which has been wrecked by the blast of magical energy, the top half collapsed in on itself as it burns, the flames consuming it. On the edge of the panel are the fallen Acolytes.

LADY STARDUST: Nothing good.

PAGE 12, PANEL 1

Page width panel. Head to waist profile shot of Valentyne and Magellan facing each other in their stand off, but now Elijah is stood near both of them, holding his hand up, attempting to stop this.

ELIJAH: No, this isn’t who we are? If we do this there’s no going back. They’ll see this as proof of what they think we really are. I promise you this will do more harm than good. Then we are truly lost.

MAGELLAN: We’re already lost. They’ve seen to that.

PAGE 12, PANEL 2

Two panels on this tier. Full profile shot of them facing each other, with Elijah now closer to them, his hand dropped to his side.

ELIJAH: Do you really believe that?

MAGELLAN: Don’t you?

ELIJAH: If I did I wouldn’t be here, trying to make something better.

PAGE 12, PANEL 3

Overhead shot of them now stood in a circle, with the words ‘Way Back When’ written in chalk on the wet ground of the main courtyard. Both Valentyne and Magellan now noticeably stood down.

MAGELLAN: Something better?

VALENTYNE: Something better than us. They’re the future, Alfred, our chance to get things right. We have to try and show them a better way. That’s why we created this place, you can’t have forgotten.

PAGE 12, PANEL 4

Two panels on this bottom tier. Full shot of Valentyne and Magellan from the opposite direction, with a shot of Elijah from behind.

MAGELLAN: Then you still see their potential.

VALENTYNE: I see their potential not to make the same mistakes as us. That’s what this place is really about. Not the whims of the Council or the politics of the Ministry or long held grievances of old.

ELIJAH: We’ll never move forward if we continue to hold onto the past.

PAGE 12, PANEL 5

Forehead to chin semi-profile shot of Magellan, his face filling the panel.

MAGELLAN: This isn’t about the past, this is happing now. Your faith in people has always blinded you, Elijah. I confess that it has served you well, but it has also kept you ignorant of what has really been going on. This place has been a shield, for you and them. I thought Michael saw this as well but it seems I was mistaken.

MAGELLAN: You have made them weak. This place has made them weak.

PAGE 13, PANEL 1

Three panels on this top tier. Head to waist shot of Abel and Amaris stood among the students gathered at the top of the steps of the main entrance. While the others, including his sister, are looking on passively, Abel is glaring, and the anger in his eyes is clear.

MAGELLAN ( O.P ): Do you really think they’ll be strong enough to fight back when the Normals come for them. Because they will come.

MAGELLAN ( O.P ): Sooner or later, it’s inevitable.

PAGE 13, PANEL 2

Overhead shot of Elijah, Valentyne and Magellan stood in a circle.

ELIJAH: History repeats, right?

MAGELLAN: How many times have we seen it happen? Again and again. How many times have we seen them deny that part of themselves in the misguided belief that it can never happen again.

PAGE 13, PANEL 3

Similar to panel 1 but now it’s a closer head to chest shot. We can see the anger silently building in Abel, bubbling up unseen by his sister.

MAGELLAN ( O.P): But it will happen again. And our future you speak of are nothing more than a fallacy, told to stay their true power, to try to fit in, be good Magic Kind, be what the world expects.

PAGE 13, PANEL 4

Two panels on this bottom tier. Forehead to chin semi-profile shot of Magellan, half his face draped in the deep shadows of the night.

MAGELLAN: And the moment we step outside of what they expect, the moment they remember we are superior to them, that will be the day all of it will change forever. Everything you have done to acquiesce to them will count for nothing. Their fear will rule them.

MAGELLAN: They will come. They will storm these gates. They will burn this place to the ground. They will take you away, parade you, imprison you. And these children will be utterly unable to fight back.

PAGE 13, PANEL 5

Head to chest shot of Abel, fury in his eyes, unable to contain his anger any longer as it explodes. In the foreground is the palm of his glowing hand in a perspective shot as he fires off a bolt of energy.

ABEL: No! You’re a liar! A filthy liar!

PAGE 14, PANEL 1

Three panels on this top tier. Head to chest profile shot of Magellan as the bolt of energy sizzles right past the side of his head.

PAGE 14, PANEL 2

Full profile shot of the bolt of blue energy impacting a member of the Twelve, hitting them directly in the chest as they stumble backward.

PAGE 14, PANEL 3

Full profile shot of the member of the Twelve collapsing to their knees.

PAGE 14, PANEL 4

Page width panel. Full shot of Elijah and Valentyne from behind, exposed in the centre of the courtyard, facing Magellan, who is simply looking down at the fallen member of the Twelve, unmoving. The other members of the Twelve are also looking down.

PAGE 14, PANEL 5

Insert.

ARTIST NOTE: Insert is positioned in the bottom right of panel 4.

Head to chest profile shot of Marissa and Noah, Marissa in the foreground.

MARISSA: No.

PAGE 14, PANEL 6

Three panels on this bottom tier. Full shot of Magellan now looking up again. The members of the Twelve are now stood either side of him instead of behind, their hands glowing with energy.

PAGE 14, PANEL 7

Full shot of the gathered Ministry guards on the steps, glowing palms ready. The head guard is sweating, eyes wide open in alarm. It’s obvious he’s in over his head and doesn’t know how to respond.

PAGE 14, PANEL 8

Head to waist shot of the head guard, the other guards behind him, his indecision now turning to anger as he opens fire with no regard.

GUARD # 1: Open fire!

PAGE 15, PANEL 1

FULL PAGE SPLASH: In the foreground is a full shot of Jesse lying on the ground, pulled into herself, glass sprinkled all about her. Her shirt is torn, her face bloodied and blackened by smoke, her NASA cap lies on the earth in front of her. In the background are the buildings of the main street of Magic Town, damaged by the magical explosion, and behind her Mother M’s hotel is ablaze. Written on the earth by her cap are the words ‘19 Years Later.’

CAPTION: “Wake up Jesse!”

CAPTION: “All I could hear was the echo of Linc’s words, but fading, like waking up from a dream, and that’s when reality crashed in.”

CAPTION: “For a moment I’d been back there, and it had been so real.”

CAPTION: “But the past doesn’t change. We can dream it different, imagine how it could have gone another way, but every moment, every single one, once it’s gone it’s gone. Ain’t no do overs.

PAGE 15, PANEL 2

Insert.

Full shot of her now crouched on one knee, pulling her NASA cap on.

CAPTION: “No take backs.”

PAGE 16, PANEL 1

Insert.

Close up of Jesse’s eye, reflecting the burning hotel in front of her.

ARTIST NOTE: Inserts are to be read vertically and positioned from top to bottom going down the left side of the full page splash.

CAPTION: “I knew he was in there, trapped, maybe injured. I was scared, my heart beating so loud in my head I thought my legs might give way.”

PAGE 16, PANEL 2

Insert.

Close up of the right side of her face on the left of the panel. She’s looking breathless, dishevelled, blood running down from her forehead.

CAPTION: “I knew I could just run. Not ever look back.”

CAPTION: “But maybe I’d run long enough.”

PAGE 16, PANEL 3

Insert.

Head to chest shot of her with the main street burning behind her.

CAPTION: “We all bleed. Some of us bleed blood, others bleed magic, but we all go out the same way. We all end up in the same place.”

PAGE 16, PANEL 4

FULL PAGE SPLASH: Full shot of her from behind stood watching outside the hotel as it burns, being consumed by flames, part of it collapsed in on itself, the ground bathed in a fiery glow.

CAPTION: “Truth is, we can’t always chose how that end comes but we can chose how we meet it, we can chose how we live the last moments of our life, we can try and make it count for something.”

CAPTION: “No matter how we go out, it‘s up to us how we face it.”

PAGE 17, PANEL 1

Three panels on this top tier. In the foreground is a full shot of Valentyne and Amaris pressed against a building wall, up ahead of them is the flame and debris of the burning, wrecked main street.  

AMARIS: Damn, it‘s looks like the balloon just went up.

VALENTYNE: It seems your brother has got himself into some trouble.

PAGE 17, PANEL 2

Similar to the previous panel but now it’s a head to chest shot of them.

AMARIS: We just need to get to him, I need to talk to him.

VALENTYNE: And if it’s gone beyond that?

AMARIS: There’s always options.

PAGE 17, PANEL 3

Similar to panel 1, with a full shot of them again but looking behind themselves as they hear Abel’s voice. In the foreground we see Abel’s boots up close as he is now somehow stood behind them.

ABEL ( O.P ): And what would those options be I wonder, dear sister.

PAGE 17, PANEL 4

Two panels on this bottom tier. Head to waist shot of Abel  staring across at them, with an alleyway behind him he’s stood in front of. He bloodied and blackened by smoke after the explosion.

ABEL: I’m insulted, did you really think you could come here unnoticed?

ABEL: We are linked, you and I.

PAGE 17, PANEL 5

Similar to the previous panel but now it’s a closer head to chest shot.

ABEL: I had very much hoped that I was wrong, but like most things in life, hope always ends in nothing more than  disappointment.

PAGE 18, PANEL 1

Two panels on this top tier. Head to chest profile shot of Valentyne and Amaris, looking across at Abel, with Amaris in the foreground.

VALENTYNE: And your disappointment justifies putting our people in danger. Using their loyalty, their belief like this is wrong.

PAGE 18, PANEL 2

Head and shoulders semi-profile shot of Abel, deep shadow cast on him.

ABEL: If Thomas Hyde carries out his plan then our people are already beyond imminent danger. Magic is our life blood, our very soul, without it we are nothing, without it we will fade and wither and die. We’ll be no better off than the Normals who wander these lands.

PAGE 18, PANEL 3

Three panels on this bottom tier. Similar to panel 1 but now it’s a head and shoulders shot of them, the emotion clear on Amaris’ face.

VALENTYNE: It is true, magic is our strength, I’d never ague that, but tell me, Abel, do we give up all that we are to protect all that we have?

PAGE 18, PANEL 4

Forehead to chin semi-profile shot of Abel, his face filling the panel. There is no doubt in his expression, he will not waver on this.

ABEL: We do what is necessary to survive.

PAGE 18, PANEL 5

Similar to panel 3 but now Amaris is looking down and it’s clear from her expression she’s struggling with this, that she’s feeling torn.

VALENTYNE: I see, very well, then let me ask you this question, are you willing to put that belief above even the life of your own sister?

PAGE 19, PANEL 1

Two panels on this top tier. Head and shoulders shot of Amaris, looking up again now, staring at her brother, willing him to answer.

AMARIS: Answer his question, brother.

PAGE 19, PANEL 2

A similar shot of Abel, the tension between them is palpable, neither of them want this, but yet neither is willing to back down either.

ABEL: I don’t have to. You took that choice out of my hands the moment you went to him. I told you when I left you had a choice to make.

PAGE 19, PANEL 3

Three panels on this bottom tier. Forehead to chin shot of Amaris from Abel’s P.O.V, determined, straining to stop her emotions showing.

AMARIS: Don’t make me do this.

PAGE 19, PANEL 4

Forehead to chin shot of Abel, equally determined, but his face full of emotion, if anything he’s utterly failing to keep his anger at bay.

ABEL: You’ve already done it.

PAGE 19, PANEL 5

A similar image to that of Valentyne and Magellan on page 3, panel 6, both in a defensive position, ready to strike, hands glowing.

PAGE 20, PANEL 1

Three panels on this top tier. Interior of the hotel, the lounge is consumed by flames, the curtains, the furniture. The bar has a collapsed beam that has crashed down into it. The place is wrecked. In the background Jesse is stood in the doorway, holding her hand up in front of her face against the sheer intense heat.

JESSE: Jeremiah?! Tom?! God dammit, this place is like a fucking oven!  

PAGE 20, PANEL 2

Head to waist semi-profile shot of her, making her way through the flames and the wreckage of the lounge, face bathed in a fiery red.

JESSE: Where are you? If you can’t speak, just grunt, I’ll hear you, okay?

PAGE 20, PANEL 3

Similar to the previous panel but now it’s a closer head to chest shot.

JESSE: Jesse Miller, this could possibly be the worst mistake of your life.

PAGE 20, PANEL 4

Three panels on this bottom tier. Full shot of her looking down at Jeremiah, who’s lying face up in the foreground of the panel in a head to chest shot, face blackened by smoke, stained in his own blood.

JESSE: There you are.

PAGE 20, PANEL 5

Full shot of her now crouched by him, sitting him up, the effort of this and the damage the smoke is doing clearly showing on her face.

JESSE: *Cough, Cough.* Come on, you sonvabitch, damn you, get up!

PAGE 20, PANEL 6

Full shot of them from behind, Jesse holding him up as he walks unsteadily, slumped exhausted against her with his head sagged forward.

JESSE: That’s it, just one step after the other, let’s get you out of here.

PAGE 21, PANEL 1

FULL PAGE SPLASH: High view looking down on the main courtyard of the Byzantine Academy. It’s erupted into an all out fire fight now, with Elijah and Magellan engaging in a duel of colliding blue energy, Marissa and Valentyne stood either side of Elijah, engaging in trade off of bolts with the members of the Twelve.

Magellan’s followers at the front are also engaging, as are the Ministry guards, several of whom have fallen, each side clearly advancing on the other. In the bottom right of the panel are Noah and other professors shepherding students toward the main entrance. The Words ‘19 Years Later’ are written in chalk on the ground.

CAPTION: “Before things get any worse.”

PAGE 22, PANEL 1

Three panels on this top tier. Interior. Full shot of Noah shepherding the students, stood in the doorway as they rush pass him.

NOAH: Quickly now! Go straight to your rooms! That’s it, quickly now!

PAGE 22, PANEL 2

In the foreground is a head to chest shot of a Amaris, half turned in shock as the main entrance explodes, Noah is engulfed and other students are thrown through the air, debris flying across the hall.

S.F.X: BOOM!

PAGE 22, PANEL 3

Exterior shot of the main entrance, which has been blown apart. Noah is lying among the rubble, unmoving, bloodied, covered in dust.

PAGE 22, PANEL 4

Three panels on this bottom tier. Full semi-profile shot of Tom peering around the alcove wall, with Zoe and Zek stood behind him.

TOM: No. This is happening because of me.

TOM: It can’t go on.

PAGE 22, PANEL 5

Full shot of them from behind, peering out at the battle being engaged in the courtyard. In the foreground is Jobe, turned away from them, shrunk into himself, clearly terrified by what’s going on.

ZOE: Tom, this isn’t your fault. You can’t blame yourself.

ZEK: Elijah knows that, Tom, that’s why he wants to keep you safe.

TOM: People are getting hurt, Zek, they may even get killed.

PAGE 22, PANEL 6

Head and shoulders semi-profile shot of Tom, a determination in his eyes. He’s going to stop this happening no matter the cost to him.

TOM: And I can’t let that happen.

TOM: I won’t.

[nancyswhlr]

Nancy please! Maybe them waking up and just snuggling and kissing and bring fluffy af?

Nancy stretched, her limbs aching as she uncurled herself from the position she slept it. Tucked into her boyfriend’s side, as always when they were fortunate enough to share the bed, but her legs were sore and were unable to be released by being entangled with his own. She’d laugh if she was awake enough to.

Once they got more comfortable, more used to each other and crossing the line of being kind of friends who fought a monster together those two times to being an actual in love couple, they got used to saying things and teasing each other (it was easier for her than Jonathan, who lived in his shell). In the back of her mind she recalled that, Nancy could hear Jonathan complaining about her being too early of a riser a little while back. It was something he was not shy teasing her about now. She defended herself, it wasn’t her fault the Byers family didn’t know how to wake up before eleven, every single member loved sleeping in. (Something she wondered if that annoyed Hopper when he had to be at work by sunrise.) Then again, after the year they had, the Byers’ deserved the sleep.

She countered, obviously. Saying she had things to do and he shouldn’t sleep so late. They both got over it pretty quickly though, she lounged in bed for the 30 minutes earlier he’d wake up. A very mature couple thing to do, to compromise.

She shifted a little to see Jonathan’s complaints would be confirmed. It was just after 9:00 and he was still sleeping sound-fully on her flower patterned sheets. She wrangled around, gently in his embrace, to face him. Without thinking about it, she brushed the hair out of his eyes softly. He leaned into the touch despite the peaceful look of sleep on his face.

Good. She thought firmly, a desire sparking inside of her to yell about impatient sassy Nancy that jokingly rode her boyfriend for sleeping in. It was a cheesy domestic couple-y thing to do, but she also knew how he struggled to sleep. How he hardly got more than a few hours some nights. How he worried, how she wasn’t the only one of the pair to jolt awake due to nightmares. Old habits die hard and sometimes she was so nearsighted, so desperate for things to be normal, she forgot about the situation they were in. Things were never going to go back to normal, but she decided she didn’t want normal ever again the second she shot out of Murray’s guest bed. She chose him then, and he was right there, choosing her.

And suddenly, there a was thump from down the hall, breaking her from her dreamlike haze. At this moment, she chose him and chose to let him sleep. But now she was going to kill her brother. He was safe for now but that was only if he didn’t squeal on her to their parents. In return, his secret crush on El was safe as well. Still didn’t mean he couldn’t be just a little bit quieter when he was probably sneaking out or getting ready while they were trying to sleep. Her eyes went to Jonathan, who was stirring softly.

He shifted against her a few seconds later, Nancy not bothering to not still look up at him. She’d even be impressed he woke up this early if he wasn’t awoken. She met him with her wide eyes, apologies already said without words. He stretched a little, and grumbled something that sounded like a cross between “good morning” and a yawn.

She laughed, despite herself. “Good morning to you too.” She was still curled into him, legs and all. “Sorry ‘bout that.” She was speaking low, still sleepily.

He laughed into her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it.” He replied just as sleepily, and Nancy let her fingers tangle in the hair at the base of his neck. She also found herself wishing the thin layer of her nightgown between him and her collarbone was gone.

“Eleven’s going to hear all about the time he cried when he lost the D&D campaign they worked 3 days on.” She supplied instead of acting on her previous thoughts. She scolded herself, she really didn’t use to be so…like this. Everything Jonathan did made her want him though.

He laughed against her, the sound vibrating her just a little. She felt warm though as he lifted his head, meeting her eyes. He didn’t even dare to tell her it was fine again, or to let it slip that El probably already knew that story.

“He could tell your parents,” He muttered instead. Now it was Nancy’s turn to laugh lightly.

“He wouldn’t dare.” She shrugged, unfazed. She had just as much leverage as he did. The only risk they ran was if he snitched about him climbing up her window at midnight. Or the less often “sleepover at Allie’s” when conveniently the rest of the Byers’ family was out for the night.

Jonathan just smiled, letting himself fall forward to catch her lips with his. Just like every other time he kissed her, she felt electricity in her veins and shivered involuntarily. She really wished her nightgown and his undershirt weren’t an obstacle right now.

She was enjoying this way too much for being in her pink girly bedroom, her family downstairs. She let out a soft moan when he mumbled her name, thoroughly being swept up in the moment.

“Nancy.” A loud bang at her door shot them both away, Jonathan’s arms reflexively tighten their grip around her.

He was so dead. “What do you want Mike?!” She shot out of bed like a bullet, already feeling more bitter and cold when Jonathan loosened his grip so she could do so. She decided she vastly preferred the Mike that snuck out super early to eat breakfast with Lucas or bike to the secret cabin he wasn’t supposed to know about. She hoped she looked as annoyed as she felt when she opened the door.

“Sorry I thought you’d like to know about the code red! Mom was about to come and get you before I offered, a little gratitude here?” He explained, exasperated. Nancy suppressed an eye roll, she was in no way grateful for her little brother interrupting them twice in one morning.

“Can’t you tell her I’m sick or something?” It sounded more like a command than a question.

“And have her come up here shoving chicken soup down your throat? She won’t leave you alone the rest of the day.” He finished with a knowing look and Nancy groaned, hating that he was right.

“Fine. Tell her I’ll be down in a little.” She grumbled, still keeping the door shut around her as much as she could. There was no point, it being the reason he was lying to their parents. But she didn’t need him intruding.

“What should I say?” He shrugged and Nancy felt herself getting more and more frustrated.

“That I’m busy.” She replied, shortly.

“Making out with your boyfriend that spent the night? Fine.” He moved to turn away.

“Mike!” He turned back at her biting his name, not looking particularly interested. “I’ll give you a ride to El’s later if you tell them I’m having a-a bad hair day or something.”

His sullen mood was wiped off in an instant. “Sweet!” He took off down the stairs and Nancy groaned, rolling her eyes one more time before shutting her door.

She turned back to her bed, more accurately the inhabitant of it. “I want to strangle him sometimes.” She shook her head.

Jonathan just laughed, already looking more awake. Nancy decided she hated it as she fell back into bed, stopping his movements of trying to get out of it. “You’re not leaving.” She replied to his questioning look, as if it was the most obvious answer in the world.

“Nance-”

“It’s Saturday.” She insisted, making a point of being conniving as she snuggled back into the covers. “Your mom probably already knows where you are too.” Nancy supplied, answering the reason he hadn’t brought up yet. Even though she knew Mrs. Byers’ was the happiest with their relationship, she was still a parent. Even though Nancy was welcome over anytime, she wasn’t cool with sleepovers all the time. Plus, despite the fact he acted like it for most of his teenage years, it was harder for her to see Jonathan be so grown up, someone who had a serious girlfriend he spent nights with when he rarely spoke to anyone before Nancy Wheeler.

“I was thinking about your parents.” He corrected her. “Who would be less than thrilled to find you in bed with Jonathan Byers.” Despite the drag on himself, he smiled and Nancy rolled her eyes.

“They don’t care who I’m in bed with, trust me. They just like to pretend like they care.” She moved her hands to loop around his neck as she spoke.

Jonathan just laughed a little, not that she gave him a chance to reply before kissing him once more. His arms found their, rightful place, around her waist again as she leaned into the kiss more, both of them surrounded by the duvet.

Just as they opted to lay in a more comfortable position, completely swept away in the moment again for another few minutes, Nancy’s door knob turned.

“Nancy, sweetie? Are you okay?” Her mother’s voice called from the other side of the door.

“Mom, I told you! You should’ve seen her hair, she looked like she got electrocuted!” She could hear Mike at the bottom of the stairs. He failed and was dead to her but was ultimately going to give him the ride anyways.

She groaned silently, letting her head fall on Jonathan’s shoulder. “I’m fine.” She called back, probably sounding muffled.

“Sweetheart, your breakfast is getting cold.”

“I’ll, uh, be down in a second.” She lifted her head to properly reply and let the breath she was holding out when she heard her mother’s footsteps fade away. After a moment, just as she suspected, she looked to her boyfriend giving her a look like almost screamed “I told you so”. “Shut up.” She mumbled against his lips, not letting him say anything before giving him one last peck. Then they were detangling themselves fully to get up.

She was partial ways content with an outfit when Jonathan was finished getting dressed, ready to escape out her window. “Are you still coming over tonight?”

“Of course.” Nancy nodded, her eyes still on the shirts she was debating to wear and not him. “You’re still taking me to the movies right?” She went with a pink one before turning to face him.

“Yeah, yeah, of course. Will might want to tag along.” He didn’t bother looking apologetic anymore, they were used to kids crashing their date nights by now.

“Yeah, I’m sure Mike and El will tag along too.” She tried to sound annoyed but she honestly couldn’t. They got enough alone time as is, and the kids seemed to understand not to crash their dates too often. Jonathan gave her a questioning look though. “They got her a new wig apparently.” She shrugged, that being answer enough. It wasn’t technically safe enough yet but she didn’t see the harm of the party sneaking Eleven out to see a movie for a couple hours before it was legally allowed.

After that Jonathan said his goodbye, kissing her cheek quickly. She still found herself amazed at how…sweet he was. They were in a quite incriminating position not ten minutes ago but he still pecked her cheek before ducking out of her window. They were an actual couple now but he still floored her.

She was left blushing like a teenage girl in love when he did something as innocent as that, but that was she was. She spent the rest of her time getting ready trying to push down the smile on her lips and blush on her face before begrudgingly trenching downstairs. She just really hoped her hair looked disheveled from sleep and not from her boyfriends hands in it.

#jancy #jonathan x nancy #nancy x jonathan #jancy fanfiction #jancy fics #jancy fanfic #otp: definitely you #st #stranger things #st fanfiction #stranger things fanfiction #my writing #FUN FACT! i was not going to post this tonight but ive been writing it for like 3 days & im just tired of working on it lmao #thank you for the prompt! #anon #sorry this is actually so long also lol

[wearesuchstuff1]

There is a Time, There is a Place

Read on AO3

As always I have to thank the amazing @rxbxlcaptain who edited this for me.

This fic was inspired by this post.

The two men stand across the room from each other, the tactical table between them.  There are others in the room, but at the moment the furious energy sparking across the table makes the various commanders, generals, and extraneous personnel stationed around the perimeter all but invisible.  Many of them certainly wish they were.  

 While the men argue and accuse, two smaller figures watch each other from across the table.  Both dark haired and fair skinned they listen to their adoptive fathers with sharp, curious eyes.  They watch each other with that same curiosity.

 They have little enough in common.  They come - literally and figuratively - from different worlds, their clothing and hairstyles proof enough of that.  One is dressed in soft pants, combat boots, and a dark jacket, with two messy braids holding both hair and memories.  The other wears a soft, white gown, her hair pulled up into two pristine buns just above her temples.  Their temperaments are different too, manifested in the way the girls hold themselves.  The elder leans forward on the balls of her feet, ready for action, a knife strapped to her side.  The younger surveys the room with a poise rarely seen in those even twice her age.  And yet the two young women are far more similar than either could comprehend in that moment.  

 After all, they are both here.

 Saw Gerrera, ever passionate, flings words like grenades.  Jyn Erso is used to this passion.  She sees it in everything her adoptive father does, from the way he fights to the way he trains her to the way he tucks her in at night - stories of the horrors of the Empire replacing the tales her mother had once told her.

 Gerrera’s passion is equally matched by Senator Organa.  He has seen too many he cared for die at the hands of the Empire to allow the Alliance to, as he puts, <em>sink so low</em>.  If the fervor displayed by the Senator surprises Leia Organa it does not show on the nine-year-old’s face.  This is not her first diplomatic meeting, nor will it be her last.

 One last figure stands at the edge of the tactical table, watching, ever-quiet.  She speaks now, her calm voice ringing with enough authority to silence even these two impassioned men.  

 “Tempers have run hot,” Mon Mothma says.  “I believe it would be wise to take a break before we say what cannot be unsaid.”

 The matter is not finished.  Everyone knows that.  But heads are inclined and a breath is released and the room begins to clear.  

 “Jyn.” Saw’s hand is heavy on her shoulder and his voice is quiet.  “My child, go, speak to the young princess.  See what you can learn of her father’s plans.”

 “You want me to spy on our friends?” the girl asks.

 “Those unwilling to do what it takes to defeat the Empire are no friends of ours.  Remember that, Jyn.”     

 It warms what is left of Saw’s heart to see the way, even at eleven, Jyn sets her shoulders and lifts her chin.  She is strong, and he knows she will need that strength.  

 Her father is speaking with Mon Mothma and Leia surveys the room quietly.  She catalogs who speaks with whom, who laughs aloud and who keeps their voice low, and who has left the room completely.  She watches the other girl speak with Gerrera, then approach her.  The older girl is taller, but her clothes are ripped and muddied.  Leia offers her a gentle smile.  Her aunts would be proud.  

 “Hello,” she offers.

 “Your father’s wrong, you know,” Jyn responds.  Leia doubts this girl has aunts to teach her proper diplomatic decorum.  

 “How so?”

 “The Empire will kill every one of us if they’re given the chance,” the girl defends.  She is told these words before every battle. “They’d destroy entire planets to kill us if they could.”  

 Leia nods. She does not doubt it.  “Then let us then be thankful such technology does not exist.”

 Jyn bristles.  She has seen the Empire destroy people.  They don’t need that sort of technology.  All they needed to kill her mother was a blaster.  Given the chance, all Jyn would need to kill the man in white who took her mother and father from her would be her bare hands.  

 “But don’t you see?  They would kill us if they could.  We must kill them before they are given the chance.  Doesn’t your father understand?”

 Leia raises her chin but her eyes spark with a defiance and fight that even her aunts have not been able to douse.  Her father saw the same spark when she had demanded to join him on the mission to the Rebel Base.  

 “Of course we do.  But my father and I also believe that the torturing of prisoners for information and the murder of innocent civilians makes us no better than those we fight against.”

 “You’re wrong,” Jyn bites, pushing away the thought that in some other time, in some other life, she and Leia might have been friends.  “It doesn’t make us better.  It makes us dead.”

 She turns on her heel and marches out of the room in search of Saw, having no way of knowing that as her angry back retreats the young princess is watching her, having the same thought that Jyn herself just had.  Leia imagines that perhaps the day when she and Jyn can be friends remains ahead of them.  Leia, as always, has hope.    

Jyn storms out of the War Room, a force of nature as always.  Saw is nowhere to be seen so she picks a direction, turning away from the few huddled groups of ranking officers and heading instead down a quiet corridor that hugs the War Room’s outer wall.  The first door she comes to is locked with a keypad, as is the second.  The third has no keypad in sight and opens with a tug.  The door reveals nothing but a supply closet.  Only shelves and crates.  Well, Jyn notes with surprise as the door clicks shut behind her.  Only shelves and crates and a boy.

 He’s a young man, really.  He sits on a box with one leg drawn up next to him, but even sitting Jyn can see that he would tower above her.  His hair hangs into his eyes and the shadowy beginnings of a beard show on his cheeks.  He regards her with a mixture of shock and confusion.  

 “Who are you?”  Jyn demands.  The boy raises an eyebrow at her.

 “I’m Lieutenant Cassian Andor, who are you?”

 “Are you spying on us, Cassian?”  Jyn has always preferred to skip right to the point of a conversation.  It always used to make her papa laugh.  

 “What?  No.” The boy - Cassian - is a good liar, Jyn notes.  He has been trained.  His eyes stay focused on hers, his fingers don’t fidget.  But Jyn has been trained, too, and she hears the way his words trip a bit too quickly from his tongue.  

 “Why else would you be sitting in a supply closet next to the War Room?”

 “Look, little girl, I don’t -”

 “I’m not a little girl,” Jyn interrupts, voice indigent.  It’s the not first time she’s been judged for her size and age.  But usually, after a good beating or two in the training field, most of the Partisans stop making that mistake.  She had been her papa’s ‘little girl’.  She would be no one else's.  “I could kill you with just my hands, you know.”

 Cassian - who has not yet had the misfortune of feeling Jyn’s stinging blows - simply laughs.  

 “I’d like to see you try.  I’ve been fighting people much bigger than you since I was six.”  While Jyn may like the way Cassian’s accent colors his words she has to scoff.  She’s already killed ‘troopers more than double his age.

 “You’re here with Saw Gerrera, aren’t you?  For the meeting?” Cassian asks, changing the subject.    

 “The one you’re spying on, yes.”

 Cassian’s eyes flash.  Someday this little girl is going to get him into trouble.  He’s sure of it.  “I’m not spying.  Draven said I couldn’t be in the room.  He didn’t say I couldn’t listen.  Besides, there are parts in here I need for a droid I’ve reprogrammed.  He’s functional but he still has a few glitches.”

 “Droids annoy me.  Who’s Draven?”  Jyn asked, wandering over to a nearby crate and perching on it, looking curiously at Cassian.  She can only assume this Draven was one of the many pairs of eyes watching Saw and Senator Organa’s argument.  Perhaps he was Cassian’s mentor. Jyn didn’t get the feeling she would like him much.

 A distinct note of pride entered Cassian’s voice.  “Commander Draven.  He’s an intelligence officer.  He recruited me.”  

 “When?”

 “When I was younger than you.”  This statement is accompanied by a raised eyebrow.  It isn’t that Cassian is happy to have been a soldier at such a young age - although it does give him authority over the other kids on the base.  He had much rather have spent the time growing up with his parents and his sister.  But they were lost to him a long time ago and the Rebellion has given him a home and a cause to fight for and he is proud to do his part.  And if he cannot close his eyes some nights for fear that he will be haunted by those whose lives have been sacrificed - either by his hands or another’s - for the sake of this war, well then that is a price he must pay.  Besides, he reminds himself, he’s sure it will get easier as he grows up.  Someday he’ll be strong, just like Draven, and the deaths - his family’s, his friend’s, and even his enemy’s - won’t bother him then.   

 “You don’t know how old I am.”  The girl’s chin is raised, her shoulders set.  Cassian is sure this is a well-practiced look for her.  Despite her strength he can still see the hurt in her young eyes.  That too, he knows, will fade with time.  

 “11, 12?”

 Jyn’s scowl deepens.  She hadn’t thought he would guess.  She feels as though she should be fifty for all she has seen and done in her young life.  “I’m 11.  But I could still kill you with just my hands.  How old are you?”

 “16.”

 “If I’d been fighting since I was six I would have killed them all by now,” Jyn scoffs.  “The empire, the man in white.  Everyone who-” she stops herself, her young eyes going wide at the words that had almost tumbled their way out of her mouth.

 “Who what?”

 The light is dim in the supply room, but when Jyn meets Cassian’s eyes she can see sympathy there.  She pushes away thoughts of blaster fire and her mother’s limp body held in her father’s arms.  She pushes away memories of the dark, underground room and her lamp, threatening with every flicker to plunge her into eternal darkness.  Most of all she pushes away the burning, all consuming hatred for the man in white who had taken her life from her.  Saw fanned that hatred, nurtured it, loved it, but it scared Jyn in a way she did not want to admit, even to herself.  But Saw’s words rang in her mind, ever present, a lifeline to which she clung when the darkness and pain threatened to swallow her whole.  <em>We must destroy them, Jyn.  It is the only way to find peace - for the galaxy and for yourself.</em>    

 “Everyone who took my parents away.”

 It almost shocked Cassian, how much this little girl’s words hurt him.  But why should it surprise him?  War created orphans all the time.  Hell, he created orphans with just a shot from his blaster.  No, it should not surprise him that this child had lost her parents to the Empire.  

 Nor should it surprise him that she wanted revenge.  After all, when Dravin had approached him with an offer to join the Rebellion he had jumped at the chance to continue the fight the Empire had already started when they killed his family.  Revenge had driven him for years, had honed his loyalty to Alliance, and had formed bonds he knew he could never walk away from.  But despite the commitment he dedicated to every aspect of his training, the thrill that had coursed through him when issued his own blaster, and the pride he had felt when assigned his first solo mission, he had slowly begun to realize that it didn't matter.  The eyes of the first person he killed still haunted his nightmares and not their death, nor any victory the Rebellion had scored since did anything to bring his family back to him.  He is loyal to the Alliance, more loyal than most, he suspects, but it doesn’t take away the pain, and it tares at Cassian’s heart to hear this young girl, somehow both hardened and naive - as he is now sure he once was - speak of her dead parents and the hope that her suffering could be erased by vengeance.  In all things but this Cassian knows the importance of hope - he has seen men live and die for nothing more - but this hope, he knows, will be lost to the girl, and it will destroy her.  Maybe it will destroy them both.    

 “That’s not how it works, little girl.  You can’t ever get back at them.  Not ever.  And by the time you finish trying they’ve taken something new from you.  And you can’t stop.  And it doesn’t ever end.”

 He watches her, wishing his words could get through to her but knowing she will not - cannot - give in.  She will hold on to hope for as long as she can, and his words will do nothing to stop her.  And when that hope is finally lost it will break her.  

 Instead of responding the girl’s eyes flick down to his arm where Cassian had managed to push the dull ache and wetness all but out of his mind.  

 “You’re bleeding.” Jyn narrows her eyes and watches the boy glance down at his arm where a bloody bandage peeked through a blaster-shot shaped hole in his jacket.  

 Cassian purses his lips.  He had gone to medbay as instructed and the droid had cleaned and wrapped his wound.  It isn’t that deep, so Cassian is surprised to see that he has bled through.  Maybe he shouldn’t have turned down the bacta the droid had offered.   

 “I just got back from a mission.”  Neither child seems too worried about the blood, and nothing could say more about their childhoods than that.

 “A successful one?”

 Cassian glances at the girl.  “I killed the target, if that’s what you consider a success.”

 Jyn’s confusion shows on her face.  “Of course it is.  One less of them, right?”

 “Four less of them, actually.”  A husband, a wife, and their two children.  They youngest had been his age.  They never saw him, lying on the neighboring roof, sniper rifle in hand.  He had contemplated for a full two minutes which to kill first.  In the end he started with the youngest.  He remembered what it was like to watch your parents die.    

 “All the better,” Jyn answered.

 Cassian watches her for a moment.  “Saw.  He trains his Partisans from a young age, right?”

 Jyn nods.  “He’s been training me since I was eight.  I’m the youngest.  And I’m going to be the best.”

 “And it doesn’t bother you?  What you have to do?  The people Saw has you kill?  The prisoners Saw tortures?”

 “Not if it gets me closer to finding my father.” Jyn’s look is fierce, but there is a shadow of uncertainty in her eyes, as if a part of her soul is crying out to be saved.  When she speaks again the words are not hers.  “We have to do everything we can to fight against the Empire.  They have to be destroyed.”

 Cassian gives her a tiny smile.  “On that point we agree, little girl.”

 He was not the only orphan of war raised by the Alliance, of course, and a few adult soldiers have raised their own children in the corridors of the Dantooine base, but this girl is different, he decides.  He could imagine, somehow, being willing to fight by her side for a cause they both believed in - after she grew a few more inches, of course.      

 With a sudden bang the door to the supply closet busts open.  The light from the hallway is obstructed by large figure and Saw leans heavily on his staff, his breathing labored and his face furious. Both children jump to their feet but Saw hardly spares a glance for Cassian before he turns to Jyn.

 “Child. Come. We are leaving this place. Forever.”

 “What happened?” Jyn asks.

 “They will not fight for the Rebellion.  They will not do what it takes.”  Rage emanates off Saw’s imposing figure and somehow both Jyn and Cassian know that the fate of the Rebellion will never be the same.  “You will never see these people again.”  With that Gerrera turns and storms out of the room.  Quickly Jyn moves to follow, but at the door she turns back.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone you were defying orders,” she tells Cassian, her small hand on the doorframe.

 Cassian stands tall - she was right, he does tower above her - and clasps his hands behind his back.  Despite standing at attention, though, his deep brown eyes find Jyn’s.  “I don’t defy orders, little girl.  You defy orders and people get killed.  You should learn that.”

 Jyn holds Cassian’s gaze for a moment, then drops her head.  When she looks back up at him she is sad beyond her years.  He sees that she is in pain, sees that she is lost, and sees that she needs a home.  But it is not in his power to give her one.

 “People get killed even if you don’t defy orders, Cassian.  You should learn that.”   

 And with that Jyn Erso turns and walks out of Cassian Andor’s life.  Thoughts of Saw Gerrera’s green eyed girl rarely cross Cassian’s mind.  Like Gerrera said, they were never going to see each other again.  Cassian believes that, right up until the day he is called to the War Room by General Dravin and finds himself staring at a woman - a criminal with a traitor for a father - whose beautiful green eyes seem impossibly familiar and who glances at him with well concealed questions.  

 They try to place each other, try to figure each other out, but it isn’t until Jedha, when Cassian finds Jyn kneeling next to Gerrera, with tears in her beautiful eyes, that he remembers the little girl in the supply closet.  He pulls her out of the collapsing temple - away from the man who, despite everything he did to her, had been her father for so many years - and can do nothing but acknowledge the commands that come through from Draven, ordering him to kill the only other father Jyn has ever known.  He had been right; war created orphans all the time, and when he looks through the scope of his blaster, finding the man with Jyn’s green eyes, he thinks for a moment that he is no better than War itself.

 He is glad when he is able to prove them both wrong.

 He yells at her when they get on the ship.  Water dripping into his eyes, he pushes away the thought that this is the second time he has pulled her away from her dead father.  His pain and uncertainty manifest in shouted words thrown without a thought.  He defied orders.  He defied them for her.    

 She tells him he is no better than a Stormtrooper and he thinks that perhaps today is the first day in a long time that he actually is.

 Jyn’s eyes flash with fire when she storms out of the War Room.  Of course they hadn’t believed her.  The risk is too great.  But Cassian doesn’t care.  Nor do Kay and the people he has gathered, his old friends.  Nor do Chirrut, Bodhi, and Baze, his new friends.  And when he welcomes her home all he can see are the eyes of a little girl who had been searching for a place to belong her whole life, who is thankful to have finally found one.    

 He never tells her how he knows her.  He doesn’t have time.  The flight to Scarif is a blur of preparations and plans, and then they are kneeling together on a beach, holding each other as a blaze of white light races to swallow them whole.  

 A promise ligers between them.  <em>I could have been happy with you.  I could have loved you.  Maybe I did.</em>               

 They die together with a peace neither thought could ever be found.  Not in a war.  Not after everything.  Not for them.

   When Leia Organa reads the report of the Battle of Scarif she grieves for a friend she had known most of her life, a boy who had joined the Rebellion to find justice but who had given up the search long ago.  And she grieves for a little girl she barely knew but who, she is now sure, she would have been friends with.

She prays to the Force that they are at peace among the stars.

Thank you for reading! 

AO3

Unfortunately I do not own Star Wars!

#rogue one #RebelCaptain #jyn x cassian #jyncassian #fanfiction #fanfic #star wars #jyn erso #cassian andor #Princess Leia #saw gerrera #bail organa #Mon Mothma #draven #K-2So #bodhi rook #Chirrut Imwe #Baze Malbus #kid!Jyn #kid!Cassian #kid!Leia #galen erso #lyra erso #angst #mentions of blood #Emotional Hurt/Comfort #Cassian Andor needs a hug #Jyn Erso needs a hug #I need a hug #canon-typical mentions of violence

[knqw]

Story Time

Take a deep breath before reading this.

Note the red shoes on the children in the pictures. #redshoeclub #pedogate #childtrafficking #endit

“The story I'm about to tell you is true.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of this story is that every single person reading this post - every single one of you - was alive when this story became news in 2004.

That fact is intriguing because everyone reading this post has either never heard this story, or forgot about it (I'm betting on the first one, because it is truly unforgettable).

Furthermore, once you hear this story in its entirety, I can promise it will be seared into your memory forever.

Our main character is a man named Marc Dutroux. He was born in Belgium in 1956. He was twice convicted of kidnapping and raping underage children. The first time was in 1989. The second time occurred in 1996.

That was not a typo - you read that correctly. He was convicted and served a (much too brief) sentence in 1998. He served only 3 and a half years of his 13 year sentence because he was released for good behavior. Less than 10 years later, he was arrested again on the same charges (different victims).

In the second round of charges, he was convicted of kidnapping, torturing and abusing victims, some of them to the point of death.

What I am about to tell you comes from the statements made by his surviving victims (called the X Files), Marc Dutreox himself, and evidence from law enforcement. I've also added references/citations at the very end of this post.

Here we go.

Marc confessed to kidnapping, raping, drugging, torturing and filming children for many years. He also claimed he was doing it at the behest of a political elite who financed his career as a professional trafficker.

Not only did this political elite finance his efforts - they made specific requests of him. Sometimes they requested specific types of children (they were called "party favors" and he was asked to deliver kids of certain age, sex, race). Sometimes they requested specific means of torturing the children to fulfill their desires (orgies, satanic rituals involving sacrifices, torture games).

And sometimes they requested he film certain influential people engaged in these acts, for later use as blackmail.

He claimed many of his customers and financiers were world leaders. This was not a stretch of the imagination because he lived in Belgium, where the EU and NATO headquarters were located. This statement was also corroborated by victims who were able to identify specific politicians.

Anneke Lucas was one of his victims who testified against him. She claimed she was 6 years old when the cleaning lady hired by her mother sold her to the pedophile network in 1969. Her claims were extraordinary:

-She was raped over seventeen hundred hours before turning 12 years old. -She was 6 years old when she was forced to participate in her first orgy, which included wearing an iron dog collar and eating human excrement. -She would actually be delivered back to her parents from time to time. However, her parents themselves were complicit in the crimes and always sent her back to her abusers. -Torture included being strapped to a butchers block used to execute other children. Other victims were forced to torture her for hours as part of their initiation. -She was considered attractive and that made her preferred by her abusers. She claimed that she tried to use that to her survival advantage to the best of her ability, but by the age of eleven, she had become so broken that she was slated to be executed and disposed of. -She said she was saved when one of her abusers negotiated for her freedom. That abuser would later sit as a defendant in the trial.

Other witnesses and victims would soon come forward, describing such things as “Black Masses,” with child and adult sacrifices taking place in front of observers and participants, which included prominent politicians and figures. This would be corroborated by a note found by police at the house belonging to Bernard Weinstein—a man who previously worked with Dutroux, but whom Dutroux had murdered. The letter contained very specific requests for certain types of victims for satanic sacrifices.

The letter was signed by a man who called himself 'Anubis'. It turned out 'Anubis' was the high priest of a satanic cult called 'Abrasax' whose real name was Francis Desmet. Police obtained a warrant and seized computers, documents, mail, actual human skulls, jars of blood, and all sorts of Satanic items - but none of this was enough to make an arrest.

As the Dutroux trial went public, other victims stepped forward and confirmed the testimony, offering up descriptions of sexual abuse and human sacrifice.

They also described “hunting parties” where elites would release naked children into the woods to hide, so that the elites themselves could hunt them down and slaughter them. Many of the stories from victims contained so many similarities, they were impossible to deny. For example, the hunting parties were often held at castles, where victims could not escape and were hidden from the public eye. Those not killed in the hunt were usually chased down and mauled/killed by Dobermans.

All of these victims echoed the testimonies of other, older survivors of ritual Satanic abuse from around the world.

It is also notable that Dutroux owned 10 homes valued at 6 million dollars.

It is also notable that Dutroux was not employed.

It is also notable that Dutroux received $1,200 per month in public assistance.

It is also notable that documents released by Wikileaks show large sums of money in various currencies were deposited into his wife's bank account.

It is also notable that those deposits coincided with reported kidnappings and missing children reports.

It is also notable that before his removal, judge Jean-Marc Connerotte was on the verge of publicly disclosing the names of high level government officials who had been recognized on video-tapes of sexual torture that took place in Dutroux's dungeon.

It is also notable that 20 potential witnesses for this case have died without explanation.

Does any of this sound familiar? Are there any headlines today that sound like history is repeating itself?

Guys, not one single thing in this post is theory. It's all proven and on record.

You see the pictures attached to this post? Those are images of hunting games. They're paintings that people like Tony Podesta buy, and hang in his home, and invite others over to enjoy.

We all know Epstein was a sick sob who had friends in high places - the same friends that hang out with Tony Podesta.

You think Epstein was the only one? That he's somehow unique? Or was he the low level one they were willing to sacrifice to protect everyone else involved at a higher level?

Do you realize now that when it comes to trafficking, satanism, pedophilia, human sacrifices, organ harvesting, adrenachrome - that it is art imitating life? That these people who are so obsessed with the art that glorifes these things might actually, themselves, be engaged in these things?

Do you think normal, non-pedo, non-cannibal, average Joes would hang that garbage up in their homes?

Suddenly the claims that world leaders and governments being involved in this satanic horror show isn't so far fetched after all.

Suddenly its not so crazy to say that world agencies who claim to stop these crimes (WHO, UN) are actually facades that cover up the real work of procuring and enabling - yes, even participating - in these crimes.

Suddenly the whole house of cards comes crashing down.

With this one case, all the unbelievers are silenced.

For crying out loud, this trial was in 2004! Did you remember it? If not, do you wonder why it was not front page news across the world?

And if you're asking yourself HOW DO THESE PEOPLE GET AWAY WITH THIS - have you not yet figured out that the very people who are supposed to end it, are doing it?

Most everyone has watched an Epstein documentary on Netflix - I think there's been maybe 3 or 4 made since his death. And the one thing I heard people say over and over and over again was this: "Where is Epstein's girlfriend and why hasn't she been arrested yet?"

Did anyone asking that question even try to find the answer? Or did you just shrug your shoulders and say, "Well, it is what it is and there's nothing I can do about it" and go on with your life?

Let me help you out.

Did you hear the news story from two weeks ago that President Trump fired federal prosecutor Geoffrey Berman? He was the prosecutor in charge of the Epstein case.

AG Barr requested Berman step down, and Berman refused. So Trump fired him and Berman was replaced with prosecutor Audrey Strauss. And then suddenly BAM! Maxwell is in custody.

You now get a front row seat for the horror show that is about to come out.

You will not believe who is involved and how deep it goes. And you will not believe the lengths they'll go to in order to protect their secrets.

https://cwasu.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Confronting-An-Atrocity.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1iFppDKV9fKTovmv9zLfWBQduNSavsSNA4_4fuavxF6Y5u0n8tB7JfI60

http://archive.is/SFRGD

http://archive.is/jxiLV#selection-3715.53-3715.70

http://archive.is/Evfkk#selection-2115.96-2115.114

https://www.euronews.com/amp/2019/10/27/explainer-paedophile-marc-dutroux-and-the-horror-case-that-united-a-divided-belgium

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/may/05/dutroux.featuresreview?fbclid=IwAR1dkHQCU0cJnwn2AehQlMHozh0JHaFpFQwlYunS7pVrdg_zZPLUrWZuplc

https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/marc-dutroux-monster-belgium/?fbclid=IwAR1wzBu_NVW9fNrRVUtqp3DrXjw_hru6PlI2qZoNqh_TphyXbRB07UJUT-0

By: David Andrew Rodriguez”

#DAMN #TAKEAMINUTE #DEEPBREATHS Shared from Jackie Barrett

[they-called-her-a-tornado]

So...

Earlier this year I actually sat down and tried to write out one of my daydreams. It’s from my ‘Harry Potter’ universe and I did change some things to make it fit better as a fanfic and not just a play by play of my daydream (Binns is in this story, but in my daydream it’s a nameless, faceless entity), and I couldn’t get all the details that are in my brain written down or this would have been just too much, but yeah. Helena is one of my main paras, everyone else just kinda exists around her.

Chapter One

 The early hours of a day 1000 years before September 1, 1991

In his core, Cuthburt Binns did feel guilty about what was needed to be done. Stealing two young children from this castle without their parent’s knowledge or the children’s complete understanding was an awful thing to do, especially in a time where death and torture at the hands of magic- fearing muggles was a very real possibility, and would be the most obvious, most heartbreaking conclusion for their parents to draw. It was necessary though and so pushing his guilt aside he left his quarters in search of Helena Ravenclaw and Edmund Slytherin.

Slytherin’s son was the first to be found in the school kitchens,

“Good morning Professor Binns.” The eleven year old spoke to Binns as he entered.

“Good morning Master Slytherin.” Binns responded “may I borrow you for a moment?” Edmund shrugged,

“Sure, it’s not like I have anything else to do besides help prepare the school.” Binns smiled,

“Wonderful, by chance would you happen to know where Miss Helena Ravenclaw is? The matter I must discuss concerns the both of you” Edmund shook his head,

“I haven’t today, but knowing Helena she’s likely in the owl tower or looking at some animal of the game keepers.” He hopped down from the stool he was sitting on.

“I’ll help you look.”

They found the dark haired witch in the owl tower stroking a tawny owl who was cooing softly under her touch. Binns cleared his throat causing Helena to jump, and turn to them.

“Oh! Hello Professor Binns, Edmund.” She said, “Sorry, I thought you were my mother trying to get me to alphabetize another bookcase for her.”

“Good morning Miss Ravenclaw, if you have a moment I have something I would like to discuss with you and Master Slytherin here. If of course you have a moment.” He said, chuckling lightly at the owl who was batting at her hand, upset it was no longer the center of her attention.

“Of course Professor Binns.” She whispered to the owl who hooted and flew off into the rafters.

The trio made its way out of the tower and into the professor’s office. Once seated, he began to speak,

“First of all I need you to listen to everything I have to say before asking questions. I know that what I’m about to say sounds unbelievable, but I swear on my magic it is true.” An air of seriousness took over the room, even at the young age of 11, both Helena and Edmund where well aware of the risks of swearing on your magic, a small lie could drain you of your power, a big one could kill you.

“I am what is known as a Master Maj of time.” Helena’s eyes widened. He smiled at her, “I see you have heard of it.”

“Of course, my mother has told me stories, but I was never sure if they were true or not. I thought there were none left.” Edmund coughed,

“Sorry, but can someone catch me up?” Binns nodded,

“In short, I have the ability to transport myself or others across the boundaries of time, in my case, it is limited to exactly 1000 years in either direction. Which is why you are here. In 1000 years, in the year 1991, a young boy is about to start at this very school. At a young age this young boy lost his parents in an attack against the darkest forces of evil, but remarkably survived the killing curse. It was thought that this was the end of the terror that plagued the land, but it was not. The darkness is returning to his world, and he is the one prophesized to be the only one who can end it, but this prophecy, there is a second part, not spoken by the seer who spoke it. Every prophecy is connected to fate and it is the fates themselves who spoke it to me. Please listen closely,

The Eagle’s young daughter and the son of the Snake,

Will return when society shakes, for seven years

To guide and help, defend a legacy proud,

End the lies that rule that world.

I cannot explain the prophesy to you, as I do not know what it means, I do not know the outcome of what will happen. I only know what I know because I can see what happens exactly 1000 years from my present day, tomorrow is 1000 years and a day so the future is always a mystery to me. Does that make sense?” “Yes I believe I follow you.” Helena nodded, Edmund looked a little more uncertain and unsure, but he too agreed.

“I think the part that makes the most sense is the first line, the Eagle’s daughter and the son of the Snake, I can say with much confidence that that is you. I believe that this prophecy is asking me to send the two of you 1000 years in the future, to go to school with this boy, and help him defeat the Dark.”

“Ok, if you hadn’t vowed on your magic I would be laughing at you right now, but how do you know that you are to send us now? Why not next year? Or the year after?” Edmund asked. Binns smiled,

“I don’t know for sure, but I do know that in the last couple years for them, the presence of dark magic has been getting stronger and stronger. Sending you now also makes sense because magic has advanced so much over 1000 years, that if you are to attend school with them, starting next year, you would be very behind. If you wish to wait, I understand, but I do feel as though this is the right time. You would of course have to try and keep your true identities secret, especially you Edmund, unfortunately, the name of the Slytherin family will be slandered over the next 1000 years.” He looked at the children, waiting. After hearing all his information, they looked far older than their eleven years.  Helena leaned over to Edmund and whispered something into his ear. He nodded then whispered something to her. Having come to some sort of agreement they turned back to Binns.

“Professor, we have decided to go, what you have told us is incredible and unbelievable., but we do believe you. It seems as though our purpose there is not clear to any of us, but we do indeed have a purpose.” Edmund spoke for the two of them. Binns smiled,

“Very good, I suggest you collect your wands, you can leave immediately.”

“Can we tell our parents?” Helena asked. Binns looked at her,

“I’m sorry, but this is something that needs to be kept quiet. I’ll meet you back here in 20 minutes.”

Helena was making her way to her bedchambers where her wand and all her new school supplies were, when she saw her mother in her classroom preparing lessons. Taking a deep breath she walked into the room. Her mother turned,

“Ah, Helena, wonderful I have something for you to do…” before she could finish Helena had thrown her arms around her mother’s waist. Taken off guard it took Rowena a second to return the embrace.

“Ok, what do you want from me?” She asked her daughter suspiciously. Helena broke off,

“Nothing, I just want to tell you I love you.” She said as she darted out of the room. Rowena watched her daughter confused, before shaking her head and smiling, “Anything to get out of chores.” She mumbled. The next morning after an entire night of searching the school and all the surrounding areas looking for her daughter, a shaken and distraught Rowena Ravenclaw wondered if something else was at play.

Edmund had gotten his wand and was making his way back to Binns’s office when he turned a corner running into his father.

“Careful lad.” Salazar Slytherin huffed, with no real heat behind his words. “You need to be in one piece for the sorting tonight.” Edmund laughed, “Yes father, I’ll be careful. I promise.” Salazar clapped his hand on his son’s shoulder. That night as he called his son’s name in the Forest by the school, he wondered if those words had had a different meaning.

Standing by the lake, Binns took the hands of the two children.

“Traveling forward will not be too rough, it is when you return and you cross over your own timeline that the ride will be bumpy.”

“We will return though?” Edmund asked, slightly nervously. Binns smiled,

“This is my talent, I can collect you at any time, just speak my name and I will hear you. I would prefer you stay, and I will return in exactly 7 years.” This seemed to pacify Edmund.

“Are you ready?” Binns asked.

“Yes.” Was the unanimous response. There was a flash and the children felt themselves hurtling through the air, like traveling by portkey, only faster, much, much faster. Then it stopped.

Helena opened the eyes she hadn’t realized she had shut. They were still by the lake, only it was… different. Looking around her she saw a huge stadium that had not been there before, and the castle, her mother’s beloved Hogwarts was bigger than ever before. Turning her head back she caught Edmund’s eye. His eyes where the size of plates as he took in his surroundings.

“Welcome to 1991 children.” Binns said, “and if I’m not mistaken, here is your escort.” Helena followed his gaze, wondering what she was supposed to be looking at, before she spotted what was almost a glistening haze coming across the grounds.

“’Is that you? As a ghost?” Edmund asked. Binns smiled,

“It seems so, I guess I never truly move on. This is where I must leave you, good luck.” And with that Binns, the living one, was gone in a pop. The children turned towards the ghost.

“Come along, I have already given the headmaster a watered down version of what has happened.” He led Helena and Edmund towards the school while explaining that Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster, and Professor McGonagall, the deputy head had been told that two students who Binns had seen leave in the past while he was still alive, would be arriving that day. He said he had not told them why, or who the students where, or even how they had arrived, and he suggested they stayed mum on the matter.

 The school was so much bigger, Helena thought with awe as they climbed stair case after staircase, until arriving at the entrance to what had been Godric Gryffindor’s office. It wasn’t that more rooms had been added, but it seemed more like they had expanded making her feel small. The trio ascended the stair case and found themselves in front of a large door. Edmund reached out and knocked. Helena’s heart was racing in her chest, and when she heard the voice call out for them to enter, she felt like she was going to be sick. She and Edmund cautiously entered the room where was seated an elderly man in bright purple robes and the longest white beard Helena had ever seen. Across the desk from him was a strict looking witch with dark hair tied neatly in a bun, wearing a long pair of emerald robes. The old man smiled at them, his eyes twinkling.

“So these are Binns’s guests from the past. Most unusual for you to turn up like this, but having felt that wave of powerful magic as you arrived, I have no doubts of his truthfulness. I am Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, this is Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Head. And you are?” Edmund opened his mouth first,

“I am Edmund Sl…OW” He yelled as Helena pinched his side.

“Edmund Slough? I see, welcome to 1991.” Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling, like he knew they weren’t going to tell the truth and was ok with it. McGonagall seemed to be less pleased but to her credit, she kept her mouth shut. Dumbledore turned to Helena, “And your name, my dear.”

“Helena Reynolds.” She responded, quickly trying to think of a name she would remember easily. Dumbledore smiled “Welcome to Hogwarts. I understand you were due to begin your first year?” Receiving nods he continued “Professor McGonagall will take you to Diagon Alley to get some supplies, and tonight you will join the rest of the first years to be sorted.”

                  Chapter Two

Professor McGonagall, Helena found, was not unlike her own mother. A little strict and harsh, yet under the façade a kind, considerate woman. Diagon Alley had been incredible, the Diagon Alley of Helena and Edmund’s time had been scarce, very expensive, and with an element of fear as it was not well hidden from muggles who may want to cause harm to magical folk. The first stop had been Gringotts Bank where McGonagall had told them that they would be able to take some funds from the Hogwarts vault for basic supplies as she assumed the two children had no money, however she allowed them to talk to the Goblins privately, and was surprised to hear that there were some frozen accounts that they had the rights too and would she maybe be so kind as to wait in the lobby while the Goblins took them to the vaults. McGonagall knew that there was something about these children that was being hidden from her, but for some reason she trusted them. They seemed familiar for some reason and she mulled over this while she waited.

A quick magical blood test was all it took for the Ravenclaw and large portions of the Slytherin family accounts to be unsealed. They learnt that as Helena was the last of the Ravenclaw line and no heir had come after her, they had been frozen in her name with written instructions not to be released to the bank as was customary for accounts that had not had any transactions in over 500 years, the goblins now understood why and promised to not tell the secret. The Slytherin account was not fully frozen. As Edmund had uncles and cousins, they and their descendants had had some rights to the accounts and family fortune, as Edmund learnt he had had no heir. However, they learnt that Salazar Slytherin had left his own personal fortune for his son, and that account had remained frozen for 1000 years. When they reached the vault in question, Vault 10, Edmund was pleased to learn that although he could not get to the main Slytherin fortune, and the Slytherin title had long been passed down to new owner, his father’s personal fortune was plenty enough to support him in this time period.

Although they duo did not need wands, they did have to replenish all of their school supplies, buy all new textbooks and get new clothes. As they were approaching the Leaky Cauldron to floo back to Hogwarts. McGonagall slowed,

“I don’t know if this allowed in the Hogwarts of your time, but we do allow our students to have a pet, either a cat, rat or an owl if that interests you.” Helena’s eyes lit up while Edmund shrugged,

“I’m not bothered, but Helena will probably want to.” McGonagall pointed towards the Magical Menagerie.

“I’ll wait here then.” Helena all but sprinted inside, followed by Edmund. Looking around, and realizing that for the first time all day they were alone he turned to his friend.

“So… this is crazy.” Helena nodded, looking up at a tawny owl, not unlike the one she had been looking after that morning 1000 years in the past.

“I’m amazed at how they’ve just accepted it, and that they aren’t asking so many questions, it’s almost like they knew.” She said. “’Anyway I’ve been thinking about this whole thing. Professor Binns said that we’re supposed to, I guess, help this boy defeat the Dark? We don’t even know his name.” She picked up the cage with the owl she had been admiring, “I think I’m going to get this one.”

That evening, Helena and Edmund stood in the entrance way with Professor McGonagall waiting for the other first years too arrive. McGonagall had told them about the Hogwarts Express, but that as they where already at the castle, it would make sense for them to just join the other first years when they arrived. There was a loud knock on the door and as it opened Helena and Edmund saw Hagrid, a man they had been briefly introduced to earlier surrounded by a gaggle of children their age, he ushered them inside and Helena and Edmund slipped into the crowd.

“Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and head of Gryffindor House. In a few moments, once we are ready, you will be led into the Great Hall where you will be sorted into your houses. They are in alphabetical order: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Your house will be like your family, good acts will earn you points, misbehavior will lose you points for your house, at the end of the year the house with the most points are named the champions.” Helena glanced at Edmund, meeting his eye she tried not to laught, it seemed his father and Godric Gryffindor had gotten their way after all. Her mother and Professor Hufflepuff had been against the points idea claiming that it promoted inter-house rivalry, while Slytherin and Gryffindor thought it would support and encourage creativity and kindness between students. She did wonder how they were to be sorted, as the founders where no longer around to hand pick students. McGonagall left the students while she entered the Great Hall and they began to talk among themselves.

“Well, look here, the Boy Who Lived has come to Hogwarts.” A pompous voice rang out. Silencing the group. A boy with the blondest hair Helena had seen in her life approached a shorter boy with unruly black hair. He stuck out his hand, “Draco Malfoy. Heir to the Malfoy family, a friendship between us would be most beneficial.” The black- haired boy didn’t lift his hand,

“Harry Potter, and I think I can choose my own friends thank you.” He said cooly. Malfoy seemed momentarily shocked before covering himself by turning to the red head next to Harry and begin belittling him, insulting his family, the Weasley’s in front of everyone. Helena turned to a blond girl standing beside him.

“Do you know what he meant by ‘The Boy Who Lived’ sorry only I’m new to this world.” She said choosing her words carefully.

“When Harry Potter was a baby, his parents were murdered by a Dark Lord whose name we don’t say, he somehow survived the killing curse and I guess Draco thinks that means he would be a powerful friend. I’m Susan Bones by the way.”

“I’m Helena Rav… Reynolds. This is my friend Edmund Slough. Wow that incredible, but I bet he doesn’t want to be constantly reminded of it.” Helena was pretty certain that they had just found the boy they had been sent for. Susan nodded.

“Say, I didn’t see you on the train or the boats.” She commented.

“Oh we live nearby, the headmaster agreed that we could just come straight here instead of going all the way down to London to take the train for nine hours.” Edmund covered for them. “What house do you think you are going to be in Susan?” Susan’s face brightened at the question.

“Hufflepuff. My family has been for generations. People tend to want to be in Gryffindor which I don’t get since both Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw are perfectly fine, and Hufflepuff has the best community.”

“What about Slytherin?” Helena prodded having noticed the omission.

“Every single dark wizard has come out of Slytherin. I suppose it wasn’t so bad at the beginning, but now…” She shuddered. “Believe me you don’t want to be a Slytherin.” Edmund’s face fell, and Helena saw the hurt in his eyes. It was then Professor McGonagall entered the room again and told them to follow her. Even having lived at Hogwarts for all her life, Helena was still amazed at the Great Hall. The tall ceilings with the difficult charm work that allowed the outside sky to be seen, work she knew was her mothers, the house banners flying proudly, the long table with so many students, at least twice as many as in her time. Helena’s heart filled with pride. This school was her mother’s greatest achievement and seeing how it had blossomed was amazing. Edmund leaned over to her,

“I see they got the hat working.” Seeing the ratty hat on the stool at the front of the hall, Helena grinned. Gryffindor had been dedicating months on that hat trying to find a way to continue sorting the students once the founders where gone.

“When I call your name you will come to the stool and be sorted into your house. We will start with Abbot, Hannah.”

Hufflepuff got the first student of the year, and Helena clapped when the second, Susan, made it into her desired house. Edmund scowled when Draco Malfoy was placed in Slytheirn. McGonagall moved quickly down the list until she reached,

“Potter, Harry.” The hall got quiet. The boy Helena now knew was Harry made his way onto the stool. It was about a minute later when the hat cried out,

“GRYFFINDOR”. The Gryffindor table broke out in their loudest cheers yet. After the clapping quieted down McGonagall called out,

“Reynolds, Helena.” Helena’s heart thumped in her chest, she actually hadn’t put a lot of thought into her house. Had her mother been picking she would have been a Ravenclaw, no doubt, but now, she wasn’t just at this school to learn, she was here to help Harry Potter, and so Gryffindor would make that easier, and as Susan had said, Hufflepuff wasn’t a bad house and Helena knew she would be happy there. She climbed up the stairs, took her place on the school, and her world plunged into darkness at McGonagall dropped the hat over her eyes. She heard a voice enter her head.

“Ah, Lady Helena Ravenclaw, I’ve been waiting for this day for some time. Disappearing as you did was not very nice. Your poor mother was beside herself. She has a message by the way, she says to be careful and not do anything too stupid. Now where to put you… Ravenclaw would of course make the most sense, and you would do very well there, very well indeed, but you are not here for your normal school experience. No… there’s one place for you of that I’m sure, yes, you must be in GRYFFINDOR!” Helena smiled as she hopped off the stool, ignoring Edmund’s stare, her applause was not as loud as Harry’s had been, but enthusiastic and welcoming all the same. It was only a few minutes later when McGonagall called out,

“Slough, Edmund.” Edmund climbed up to the stool and had the hat placed on his head.

“Ah, Lord Edmund Slytherin, a pleasure to meet you. Your father was not impressed with your disappearing like that, but as long as you stay safe he will forgive you. It is unfortunate, yes, that your family’s name no longer stands for what it once did, but before now there was no one who knew of the severity. You and Miss Ravenclaw will make a formidable team and I feel as though sticking together is the best thing you can do, so although your father will hate it and Godric will roll with laughter on the floor, there’s nothing for it but “GRYFFINDOR!”

#April 2017