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hphmmatthewluther · 1 year

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The Phantom Woes of Matthew Luther: Part 1

It’s time, at last! This story features:

Verna Malinda ( @gaygryffindorgal ) Camille Jeanes ( @camillejeaneshphm ) Rosie Mayfield ( @magicapandora )

As well as characters from:

@stupendousbookworm @catohphm @nelabelievesindragons @endlessly-cursed

The Phantom Woes of Matthew Luther

“Matthew Luther hasn’t come out of Ravenclaw Common Room at all recently, and his friends and quidditch teammates are starting to worry. With the help of the Most Powerful Witch at Hogwarts, can you find out what’s happened to both Matthew and Helena Ravenclaw without being spirited away yourself?”

Part 1/4 : Bring the Boy Back Home

To think the weekend had started out so normally. Just like always, a smallish crowd of students had gathered at the Quidditch Stadium to watch whichever team had managed to book a spot first practice for their upcoming matches. Today, it was the blue-clad Ravenclaw team who had taken to the air, under the ever-watchful eye of captain Orion Amari. But Eagle-Eyed watchers might have noticed that there was one less player out on (or rather, above) the pitch. The first to notice was, naturally enough, a quidditch player herself. Verna Malinda, fifth-year Gryffindor and chaser for her house’s team, frowned at the players overhead. She saw the seeker, the beaters and the keeper, who she recognised as Ara Black. However, only two chasers were in play, the captain, and Skye Parkin…so that begged the question:

“Where’s Mathieu?” came a hushed voice from behind Verna. Turning around, she saw the worried face of Camille Jeanes, one of her dormmates. She too was looking up and frowning, but more nervous than perplexed.

“You noticed too, then?” Verna asked, causing Camille to jump in her seat.

“Eep! V-Verna, sorry, didn’t see you there…” she began, taking a second to calm down. “What were you saying?”

“You noticed that Luther isn’t up there practising.” Verna explained, leaning back on the bench. “You’re pretty close with him, know what’s wrong?”

Camille shook her head. “He wasn’t at breakfast either…I’m worried…”

Verna nodded, frowning. “I’m sure it’s nothing too bad. Maybe he’s got the flu. Or overslept.”

Just then, Andre Egwu, Ravenclaw’s seeker, slowed down overhead, talking to Orion before descending. Verna listened intently, and picked up part of the conversation

“-might be able to help with Curse-Breaker-”

Curse-Breaker, the two thought. One look between them and they both knew. Andre’s nickname for none other than Matthew Luther.

“Come on, let’s see what he’s up to.” Verna said, a sudden determination in her eyes.

“Really?” Camille asked, following her out of the quidditch stands, “I wouldn’t want to be worrying over nothing…though I do that a lot…”

Verna chuckled. “You sound a fair bit like Matthew, no wonder you two get along so well.”

They headed down through the stands, watching as Andre appeared, placing his broom to the side. He watched as someone else came up to the stadium. They were wearing a fully pink/white ensemble: pink heels, patterned pink-and-white skirt, a fluffy pink jacket that stopped at their waist, and a thin white scarf. Unfortunately for Verna and Camille, while Andre hadn’t noticed them, the person in pink most certainly had.

“Hey guys!” Rosie Mayfield said, waving and smiling brightly. Andre twisted around and blinked in surprise at the two, who had gone as red as their house colours at being found out. “You here about Matty too?” they asked.

Camille opened her mouth and closed it a few times, but it was Verna who finally spoke up. “Y-Yeah…” she said, moving ever-so-slightly closer, “we…saw he’s not at practice.”

Andre sighed, nodding in confirmation. “Yeah. I was only asking Rosie to see if they knew anything I didn’t…you two haven’t seen him recently then?”

The question seemed more directed at Camille, which Verna supposed was fair. Everyone knew those two were like brother and sister. Millie and Matt, an inseparable duo.

Camille shook her head. “No, that’s why I was here, I was hoping I’d see him, but…” she trailed off, looking like she was about to cry. Rosie placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Hey, it’s ok, Millie.” They said, “It’s not like we don’t know where he is, since Andre’s in the same dorm with him, so…” they turned to look at him, gesturing at Camille.

“Right! Sorry, yes, darling, it’s ok, Matt’s up in Ravenclaw Tower, in his dormitory…” his smile faded slightly, “...which is the problem.”

Millie sniffed, wiping her eyes. “Wh…what do you mean?”

Before Andre could say anymore, one of the reserve Chasers and Orion Amari appeared.

“Hey! We need you on the pitch!” the other Chaser said. Andre groaned.

“Sorry, I was-”

“It is quite alright, Andre.” Orion said, sighing, “You have done what you can for Matthew. It’s out of your hands for now, and so we must now prepare for our next role in these events.”

Andre nodded, slightly confused by his captain’s words, but said his goodbyes to the others and followed the reserve chaser out from the stands. Orion turned to follow them, but briefly turned back.

“All of Ravenclaw House is worried about what’s happened. You will need to talk to them to continue on the path you’ve chosen.” he said matter-of-factly.

“That…doesn’t make any sense.” Camille said, very much confused.

Orion just smiled. “Has the path chosen by Matthew Luther ever made sense?”

Verna clicked her tongue. Orion was being even more opaque and cryptic than usual. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Captain!” the reserve chaser yelled. Orion remained unfazed, waved to the three, and left.

***

It wasn’t until lunchtime that day that Camille, Rosie and Verna were finally able to talk to the Ravenclaws.

“Did either of you know what Andre was going on about?” Verna said, stepping into the Great Hall, “stuff about “paths” and that.”

Camille shrugged. “I don’t know…sorry.”

Rosie pondered this. “Maybe…maybe he’s asking us to do something about this? He doesn’t seem to think anyone else can.”

They came up to the Ravenclaw tower, where most people were reading while eating, taking care not to leave any crumbs on the pages of their books. Camille scanned the table. She saw Cato Reese eating a sandwich and reading a book on Charms, Coraline Wytte passing the water jug to Isabelle Dubois, but no sign of Matthew Luther.

At that moment, Rosie decided to take the initiative and actually ask someone. They walked over to where Tulip was and smiled.

“Oh, hey guys!” she began, “Mind if I ask you guys some things? It’d be a real big help!” Camille and Verna watched in awe as Rosie worked their magic, Camille noticing one of the other students next to Tulip going bright pink at how near he was to them. Before long, Rosie beckoned the others over. “Ok…so, what’s up with Matty?”

Tulip looked up at them, looking unsure where to begin. “Matthew Luther’s been up in Ravenclaw Tower for a while. None of us thought much of it at first, sometimes he needs a bit of alone time, but this is…definitely the longest he’s been like this. Normally Helena Ravenclaw’s able to convince him to talk to someone about it by now…”

The three non-Ravenclaws looked slightly confused. “Helena?”

Tulip rolled her eyes. “You know…the Grey Lady. The Ravenclaw ghost?” At last, they nodded in understanding. “Well, yeah. Matthew Luther and her are pretty close. The amount of times he’s accidentally called her mum, honestly…”

Camille suddenly looked rather annoyed. “What’s so wrong with that, exactly?” she said a little louder than she expected.

“...Nothing, Camille Jeanes.” Tulip replied, looking rather guilty. “But…yeah, that’s what’s happened. The problem is of course that it’s not like it was back in year 2. He’s got prefect duties and that quidditch match is coming up. Matthew Luther can’t afford to be up in his room like that.”

The boy who had gone bright pink, and seemed unable to meet Rosie’s eyes, finally spoke up. “Y-you could um…try going to see him yourselves…”

Verna considered all of this. She knew that if she flaked on her duties as both chaser and prefect, it would really mess things up. Something had to be happening with Matt. Something more than a sulk. “That’d be nice, but we’re not exactly allowed in other house dorms, are we?”

The boy continued. “Actually, um…there’s no rule like that for Ravenclaw. If you can get past the riddle you’re allowed in.”

Rosie grinned. “That’s it! That’s what we’ll do!” they declared, smiling at the boy. “Thanks so much for letting us know, um…”

“...V-Victor.” he said, scratching under his jumper’s turtleneck.

“Victor! You’re the best! I owe ya one!” They said, winking, before turning to the others. “Right! Shall we?”

Camille nodded, looking slightly more determined than before. “We’ve got a path ahead of us, um…it would seem.”

Verna chuckled. “Yeah, there’s something about all this…best to figure out what the hell’s going on.”

Rosie brought their hands together excitedly. “That’s the spirit! Let’s wolf down our lunch and head on up there!”. The three did just that, and as they left passed by the quidditch team as they left the Great Hall, Andre giving them a silent thank-you, Orion nodding at them knowingly, and that reserve chaser not even acknowledging them. Camille looked behind her and saw him staring back at them, scowling.

***

Their journey up to Ravenclaw Tower was quiet for the most part, with most people eating lunch in the Great Hall, but they stopped in their tracks when they got close to the entrance of the Tower.

“Hear that?” Verna asked, glancing to and fro. It sounded like stomping and yelling coming from up ahead. The three drew their wands in preparation.

“What could it be…?” Camille wondered aloud. She was sure she recognised that voice, but it was muffled by the castle walls so she couldn’t fully make it out. When they opened the next door, they saw the entrance to Ravenclaw Tower, made of dark oak wood with a bronze eagle statue as a door knocker. A few feet away, looking rather like a caged tiger with a toothache, was none other than Merula Snyde.

“Stupid door!” she hissed, “that’s barely even a riddle!”

The bronze eagle looked at her, expressionless. “Is that your final answer?”

“Of course not you damn fool! Just let me-” she would have most likely kept ranting if it weren’t for her noticing Verna (who rolled her eyes in exasperation), Camille (who looked almost angry that she was here) and Rosie (who was holding in a laugh).

“...Malinda? Jeanes? Mayfield?” Merula said, her confusion causing her to calm down. “What in the name of Merlin are you doing here?”

Verna crossed her arms. “We could ask you the same thing.” Camille repeated the gesture. Rosie, however, seemed to know her reason for being here already.

“Aw, were you worried about Matt?” Rosie asked, trying not to smirk. “That’s so sweet…” Verna looked at them, confused, as Millie began to understand. Merula went pink in the face.

“Shut up! It’s not like that!” she snapped. “I was just…well…I have prefect duty with him, see…”

Rosie was bouncing on their toes at this point. “Eee! You have prefect duty together! That’s the cutest thing ever!”

Camille, too, was beginning to smile. “Aw, ‘rula, you should have said-”

“Do not test me, Jeanes…”

Verna, meanwhile, was still slightly confused. “Wait…are they-” Come to think of it, they had gone to the Celestial Ball together, and had dinner at Madam Puddifoot once, and were often seen talking to each other a lot more than rivals usually did-

“Oh wow.” Verna said finally, “You sure know how to pick ‘em, don’t you Snyde-”

“What is that supposed to mean?!-”

At that moment, the Eagle cleared its bronze throat. “Do you have an answer to my riddle?”

The four looked at each other. “Can we hear it first, pretty please?” Rosie asked, still smiling at Merula, who was fiddling with the strap of her satchel, staring at the floor.

The eagle nodded, and began to recite:

“What can go around the wood but never go inside the wood?”

There was a brief silence as they thought it over. Verna was the first to think aloud. “Around the wood…but not inside…what sort of…”

Rosie frowned. “Ugh, riddles are the worst sometimes.”

Merula nodded. “Luther told me that half the time the answer on the door is just “a river”, but I have a feeling that’s not it this time…”

“Could it be?” “No, you’re barking up the wrong tree there.”

Camille looked up. “Of course! Um, I think I might have it…maybe…”

Rosie squealed in joy. “You do?!” Merula, too, had a smile on her face. “Say it! Go on!”

“O-Ok, um…” Camille turned to face the bronze eagle. “What goes around the wood but never inside the wood…the bark of a tree!...right?”

There was a brief nothing, which was full of all the fear in the world for Camille, but it passed, and the door creaked open.

“YES!” Verna yelled, punching the air. “Nice one, Millie!” Rosie cheered, and Camille felt a little shell-shocked. “I…I did it!”

Even Merula was grinning in relief. “You sure did! You’re not just a pretty face, huh?”

Before Camille could respond to that, Merula rushed into the Common Room. “Let’s go!” Rosie exclaimed, the three following after the Slytherin Prefect, past several shelves of books and up several staircases until they came to the boy’s dormitory.

Most of the doors had been opened by the students leaving that morning, and only one remained shut. Merula was staring at it, playing with her satchel’s straps again.

“Well? Gonna knock?” Rosie asked, gesturing to the door.

“Of course! I just…” she said, trailing off. Seemingly understanding, Verna stepped forward and knocked thrice. “H-Hey! Matthew?! I-It’s us!”

“Mathieu? You ok?”

“Luther, what’s happening in there?”

“It’s alright Matty, we’re here to help!”

There was the sound of shuffling from inside the dormitory.

Merula was quickly losing patience, but it was more out of worry than anything else. “Alright, that does it! Hope you’re decent, Luther! Alohomora!”

There was a clack, and the door started opening. The shuffling inside intensified, before there was a thump noise. The group entered the room and, half-on half-off of the furthest bed, was a tall boy with green eyes, pyjama trousers, a dressing gown, and an incredibly serious case of bed hair. Verna would later say of it that it looked more like a hedgehog than Merula’s hair normally did.

Matthew Luther seemed frozen in fear, his mouth opening and closing a couple of times. The fear seemed to morph into what could only be described as shame as he nervously spun his silver bracelet around his wrist. “...H-Hey guys…I-...I’m sorry, I…”

Camille sighed, looking him up and down “Oh, Mathieu…”

“There’s no need to apologise.” Rosie reassured him, “We just wanted to check up on you.”

Verna nodded in agreement. “Yeah, no need to worry, really.” Merula, meanwhile, walked across the dormitory so she was standing right in front of him.

“...You look terrible.” Merula said, smiling in spite of herself. “That…wasn’t a good way to start, um-”

“N-No, it’s ok…not like you’re wrong, is it…” Matthew said, shrugging “I um…don’t you guys have lessons?”

“Luther, it’s Saturday.”

“It is?! Oh, thank god, I thought I’d been in bed for the whole weekend…”

“Wait, you thought it was Monday?”

“Well, yeah, and I thought I’d overslept for Charms, and that really made me feel bad, and…yeah.”

The three others watched, slightly gobsmacked. “It’s like they’ve forgotten we’re here, isn’t it?” Verna whispered.

Camille nodded. “He definitely seems to have brightened up quickly…but that’s a good thing, right?”

Rosie finally cleared their throat when it looked like Merula was about to try flattening his hair down with her hand. “Sorry, it’s just…well, we were wondering how we could help.”

Camille nodded. “Mm, we’d like to see you around again, Mathieu.”

Matthew sighed, sitting down on his bed. “Y-Yeah, I just…” he sniffed, trying to steady himself. “It’s…about Helena. She’s…gone.”

The four looked at each other. “When you say…gone…” Verna began, scratching her temple.

“I don’t know what’s happened. She’s nowhere to be found. I looked everywhere for her…she’s…I don’t know if she’s left…or…she’s…something’s happened to her…or she…a…ab-...”

Merula placed her hand on his shoulder. “You thought she’d abandoned you.”

Matthew nodded. “I know she’d never, but…that fear that she had…that I didn’t have her anymore because of something I did…”

Verna sighed. “A missing ghost…” she wondered what it’d be like if Nearly Headless Nick went missing. Slightly more quiet feasts, but definitely an outcry to find out just what had happened.

Rosie sat down on the other side of Matt (Merula was on the other side, her hand still firmly on his shoulder) “Ok…tell you what. You want to find out what’s happened with Helena, right?” When Matthew nodded, they continued, “So: we can help you find out what’s happened with Helena, but you gotta help us, and help yourself, by getting out of this dorm again. Does that sound doable?” they asked, no form of belittling or patronising present in their voice. Matthew looked at Merula, smiled, before turning back to Rosie.

“A-Alright. I’ll try. Promise.”

“That’s all we ask.” They replied, getting up. “Ok! First off, let’s get you some actual clothes…”

Merula rolled her eyes, “We’ll be here a while, then…” she whispered.

Camille smiled at Matt, happy to see her baby brother again, while Verna peered out the window. Though it was daytime, the moon hovered in the sky above the quidditch grounds, tinted blue as the sun shone overhead. She wondered silently just what she’d gotten herself into as Rosie came in with multiple sets of clothes for Matthew to choose from, insisting that he could do with more designer clothes in his wardrobe.

#hphm #hogwarts mystery #100 followers!!!#matthew luther #verna malinda #camille jeanes #rosie mayfield #cato reese #coraline wytte #isabelle dubois #ara black #merula snyde #hphm fic #the phantom woes of matthew luther

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helenadurazzo · 1 year

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A moodboard for Cato and Helena's friendship please? 😊💙💙

Thanks for the ask!

Went a little creative with this one and added in Penny as well because recently Cato x Penny has been giving me Mario x Peach vibes and I feel like Cato and Helena’s sibling like bond can be portrayed through Mario and Luigi quite nicely.

Cato as Mario

Helena as Luigi

Penny as Peach

Cato and Helena as Mario and Luigi (same aesthetic)

Cato and Penny as Mario and Peach (same aesthetic)

#Cato Reese #Cato x Penny #Helena Durazzo #Penny Haywood #hphm #hogwarts mystery #Reesewood #Mario #Luigi #Princess Peach

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immagrosscandy · 2 years

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Me and Cato wish Candy happy birthday!! He gives her a birthday hug and some of her favorite sweet treats which he baked!!

cato made her cookies

made two drawings instead of one because you gave me two different scenarios i blame you friend 😔

#candy vigiere #cato reese #myart

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oneirataxia-girl · 8 months

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Hi Alvita! For the moodboard game, maybe one of Cato as Ace of Clubs in Ari's Cardverse AU? His faceclaim is Fionn Whitehead and there is Dunkirk as well as another movie or TV show where he wears older style clothing for sources that may help.

give me an oc/ship + a random emoji and I'll attempt to make a moodboard for that oc/ship using said emoji!!

#i hope this is accurate #hello dark colors my friend in arms #cato reese #alvita's answers #alvita's edits

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smarti-at-smogwarts · 9 months

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Follow up to the first ask of it's kind, what does Marti think of her friendship with Cato?<3

Kiddos!

Marti and Cato would get on pretty well I think. While she's an extrovert to his introvert ( which might mean that like @unfortunate-arrow 's Connor she's unsure if he would want to talk to her) once they get over that Marti would just be like "yup we're friends"

Marti deals with RSD from her ADHD and Cato deals with anxiety so they would both know what it's like to deal with Big Emotions and I think that makes a good base for them understanding each other.

Marti actually hates having to give up things for the chase of the vaults ( really it's her love for Jacob that makes her do so) so she'd probably encourage Cato to pursue Quidditch and any hobbies he likes

There'd be some interesting culture shock with her living in the city and Cato growing up in the countryside ( iirc) which would probs lead to them swapping stories a lot.

Also Marti would understand being wary of fighting R because while she's more "I'm going to make them give me my brother back. Watch me" she Is aware that..shit gets dangerous so much as she tries to keep those thoughts buried.

I think as things get more serious in their later years they would really come to support each other

Also both of them have problems in potions and crush on Penny so study sessions!

#im at work and on mobile so lemme know if i have fo correct anything!#my answers #other ppls mcs #my mcs #Mc marti venturi #cato reese

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autisticarachnid · 10 months

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cato and samara studying, circa late 1985/beginning of second year.

- my way of introducing @catohphm ‘s beloved mc to the au !! keep your eyes peeled, he may be featured in future art 👀

#hphm #hogwarts mystery #harry potter hogwarts mystery #hp hogwarts mystery #my art #hogwarts mystery mc #digital art #digital drawing #digital artwork #samara graham #samara graham art #cato reese #samara & cato

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hphm-jeniferltheman · 2 years

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Hi! I just want to let you know that I always love seeing your art and to have a great day! *Hugs!* 🤗

NO U... should have a great day❣💖❣💖

The No U had evolve once again to its deadly form: break-dancing

#But really thank you so much Cato🥺✨#*hugs back after break-dancing*😆#jeniferl theman #cato reese #hphm

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catohphm · 8 months

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First Year Frantics

Hi everyone! Welcome to to a new fanfic about my HPHM MC, a Ravenclaw named Cato Reese. In this story it will be explored how he and his new friend Rowan Khanna faced the antics of the Slytherin school bully Merula Snyde in their first year and the consequences her actions would have on Cato's life at Hogwarts.

Fascination and excitement await in most, if not all first year students coming to Hogwarts. Cato Reese was no exception. The expulsion and disappearance of his older brother roughly a year before had been a point of contention in his family but it had been set aside by the busy working of their parents and the prospect of Cato's first term at the prestigious magic school.

However, it was inevitable that the young boy would become caught up in the social drama, rumors and discourse that circulated in the student body like many kids before him. It is important to note that the Daily Prophet had already been running stories on the Reese brothers before Cato first arrived at Hogwarts. From these articles many only knew him as a weird kid at risk for falling into the same dangerous path and misdeeds as Alex. This assessment came about from the Prophet's intrepid, scandalous reporting and the ignorance that collected as a result of little evidence of Alex's behavior at school available to the public. The coverage of his drama had a long-term impact on Cato's Hogwarts education as he arose into his teenage years.

What follows is a recount of a few encounters early in Cato's first year establishing his conflict and rivalry with the school bully Merula Snyde and other bullying and drama incidents later on. Through overcoming these hurdles, he became stronger, mature and confident as an individual.

While on their way to their first Potions Class with Professor Snape, Cato's new friend Rowan was ahead of him when they crossed paths with a Slytherin girl in their first year.

"Just look at what we have here in the halls on their way to potions." She said smugly. "You. Let me deal with your little friend here first and then you're next, Reese."

Back in Diagon Alley, the two Ravenclaws had agreed to look out to each other as friends. While reluctant at socializing, Cato was loyal and he would do his best to stand by his friends if they got into trouble.

Merula started to escalate her confrontation with Rowan. As Cato watched from a few inches back, shocked that this girl he didn't know knew his name, more so stopping them right there regardless, his brows slowly furled.

"What's your name, bookworm? Merula demanded. "R-Rowan, Rowan Khanna." Cato's friend answered nervously. "Oh, I see. You won't amount to anything, just like him." She said. "What do you know about Cato? He's just my friend." She continued "Reese is bound to be a heap of trouble just like his hothead brother, he'll only spell doom for this school. I won't let that happen again, for I will become the most powerful witch at Hogwarts."

Rowan didn't buy her proclamation "What? I seriously doubt that you're gonna earn any friends with that attitude" questioning Merula.

"Silence!" She snapped. "Admit that I'm the most powerful witch at Hogwarts." Rowan froze for a second with a shocked look on his face. "Admit it!!" she then yelled at him.

Cato had enough. He stopped in telling Merula "Please get away from my friend. Just leave him alone." in a serious tone.

"Coming in to save your weak little friend like a hero, Weirdy Reese? That will only make things worse. You're only gonna get exp-"

She was cut off by the school bell ringing and an agitated Professor Snape coming out of the potions classroom wanting to know what's taking them so long. He told the three to step inside the class and have a seat before he started taking off house points before being late, dismissing their tattles against each other.

The lesson went smoothly until the very end. Cato had just finished his Cure for Boils when the cauldron started smoking then burst. Everyone at his table springed back to avoid the many small debris flying everywhere while a very dismayed Snape confronted him.

"I knew you would only be trouble, Mr Reese." He said as he put his hands on the table in front of what remained of the cauldron. "Blasting the cauldron on your first day. Not looking good at all for you. Now explain yourself for this dire mishap."

"Professor, I swear, I didn't put anything in my potion that made it blow up." the Ravenclaw told Snape. "Is that true? Who may be responsible other than your very careless self?"

Rowan chimed in "I-I believe it was Merula, sir. She attempted to trifle with us in the halls but Cato told her to leave us alone."

"Is that true, Miss Snyde?

"No, professor." She denied "I'm telling you, they would do anything to make mine and others' time here difficult."

"Yes, Miss Snyde, I understand you come from a highly respected family and will do well to maintain and carry on the good name of their time-honored legacy." She nodded in agreement "Much obliged, professor."

"As for you, Mr. Reese, the mess and shame is on you. 20 points from Ravenclaw." Merula smirked and winked at Cato as the potions master deducted points from the eagle house. He looked down in shock and disappointed as Rowan looked at him with a hint of worry and concern.

The bell then rang. "Class dismissed." announced Snape as Cato and Rowan left their station. He then turned to the two Ravenclaws. "I've got my eye on you, Mr. Reese. On your best behavior you must be, the consequences for further fumbles will be servere. Carelessness and pranks have no business in my classroom, ever. Now get out of here before I take more points away from Ravenclaw."

Feeling rather intimidated by the imposing, cold and towering demeanor of the potions master, Cato was led out of the class by Rowan.

Later that day, Cato and Rowan explained what happened during potions to their perfect, Chester Davies. He produced a note addressed to Cato from Professor Snape.

It read:

Mister Reese,

Perhaps there is some truth to the claim that Miss Snyde botched your Cure for Boils. I have evidence proving that she may be guilty. I want you to head down to my storage and gather a few jars of Pickled Slugs I need for my next class. Return to me in my office adjacent to my classroom with them. Then will discuss the possibility of getting your lost 20 house points back for Ravenclaw.

Directions to my storeroom are on the back of this note.

Professor Snape

"I hope he means it and returns our points back."

Cato was skeptical. "I wouldn't be so sure, Chester. Professor Snape told me he would keep a close eye on me in his classes. He sounded quite serious about it. It doesn't make sense that he'd suddenly change his mind and want to work with me."

"He's right." agreed Rowan "Snape kept on denying our side of the matter. He constantly defended Merula because of her affluent family and her resolve to live up to that reputation."

"Perhaps," consider Chester. "I mean, Snape strongly prefers Slytherin students over other houses in his class. After all, he is the Head of Slytherin."

Cato nodded "That makes some sense, though the professor is still siding with a student just because of her family connections."

Raising an eyebrow, Chester pointed out "what's most peculiar about this message though is this handwriting. I can't argue that it looks like Snape's handwriting. It may be his." he noted. "If I were you, I would still go and check out what he seeks. Snape is no teacher you want to keep waiting at all."

Sharing Cato's skepticism, Rowan offered to accompany his friend to the potion master's storeroom. "It's the least I can do to help you after you stopped Merula." Without any second thoughts Cato agreed. "Sure, Rowan. Snape's letter seems real but I can't shake the feeling this may be a trap. We'll go together."

Following the directions on the note, they arrived at the supposed storeroom in the East Tower.

"Strange," said Rowan. "I thought the storeroom was in the Tapestry Corridor." His friend replied "True, like there may be others, but I don't know what's behind this door. Let's pull out our wands and be ready. Good thing Professor Flitwick already taught us Lumos."

Rowan nodded in agreement. The boys drew their wands. Cato went first and slowly creaked open the door, revealing a pitch black room. "Lumos!" he quietly called out. From the tip of the wand a powerful ball of light flashed out and around. It illuminated the room, revealing a huge array of large green spiked tentacles that revolted and let out a loud hiss in reaction to the blinding light. Cato went "No!" in a panicked gasp upon seeing the menacing green mass. He banged the door shut at once without forethought.

"Rowan! That isn't a potions storeroom. We've been duped. I saw what looked like a huge plant with tentacles in there." Cato's friend immediately knew what he was talking about. "That's a Devil's Snare, Cato. Those plants try to strangle their victims with their tentacles and tighten their grip when they try to resist. Weak to sunlight. They literally hate it and will pull back when any light source hits them." Rowan explained to him. "I know my mum mentioned them a few times. She used to be an herbologist. But I never expected to see such a dangerous plant at Hogwarts." Cato added.

Watching from behind a pillar about a foot away was Merula, she had been secretly observing the entire situation unfold. When she learned that Cato and Rowan had seen through her plan to scare them, she was angry that the Ravenclaws outsmarted her. The Slytherin girl left in a huff when Hagrid showed up to investigate the commotion. Determined to keep her ego covering her own insecurities and traumas afloat, she sought to learn some fighting spells with the intent to get back at Cato and Rowan.

Following the trouble on the first day, Cato was more wary of others outside of the security of his common room. Besides Rowan and those he knew since childhood, he didn't interact much with many others outside his house. An exception was Ben Copper, who spoke to Cato in the following days. The muggle-born Gryffindor boy admired his ability to stand to Merula, Ben was also a target of her bullying because of his blood status. She called him "mudblood" on the train while chasing him. This wrecked poor Ben's confidence in being able to meet new people. He elaborated that he had been watching the first encounter between Merula and the Ravenclaws unfold and observing her so that he would be able to avoid a future confrontation with her in the hall.

Cato understood the poor Gryffindor's predicament. He let Ben know that he got his back and that he would try his best to keep Merula at bay. More than grateful, they introduced themselves to each other and parted ways, Ben feeling a bit better that he found someone at Hogwarts who could be his friend and protect him from the Slytherin girl's tyranny.

To distract from Merula, Rowan helped Cato introduce himself to their fellow Ravenclaws. Out of the group, they got along with Badeea the most. Talbott was silent and distant, Tulip, who was still working with Merula at this point, wanted nothing to do with "weirdy Reese" and while Andre was friendly, he was cautious about getting close with Cato because of the rumors. Badeea however did not pay attention to the news as much. She liked to stay in the peace and quiet of painting pictures. Badeea happily invited Cato and Rowan to come and watch her paint after they complimented her artwork.

The two boys liked to watch her paint on weekends and offered her constructive advice. Badeea got to know them as they all conversed together during her work sessions. They would all bond over their shared appreciation for art and disdain for the drama surrounding the Reese family. Non-judgemental, Badeea assured both Cato and Rowan that they could always confide in her and she would be supportive of them.

In addition to watching Badeea paint, the boys found shared pleasure in the wizarding favorite gobstones. During these games, Cato and Rowan exchanged details about their respective lives at home and their family situations. Yet their peace would soon be disrupted by Merula.

The Ravenclaws were in the middle of a game one day when Merula noticed and approached them, obviously displeased with their presence. "I thought you two would have already been on the train home by now. You're just a danger to the school lurking around like this, weirdy Reese." The boys stood up. Wiith a scaredy glare, Cato responded "I thought I told you to stay away from us." Rowan spoke on his friend's side. "Don't we want anything to do with you? You tried to verbally pummel me on our first day." Cato then added "You blew up my cauldron! You put Bulbdadox powder in my Cure for Boils and made it bust."

Merula wasn't having any of it. "You two aren't making any of this simple. Should've just left quietly when you had the chance. Time we settle this in a duel, Reese." He was shocked. "What!? I don't know how to fight!" Rowan was just as well "M-m-me neither! They haven't taught us those kinds of spells yet." Not looking to fight or be in one, Cato then told Merula "Just me and Rowan alone and go back to your miserable day. You're the one who's a danger, not us."

The witch's face turned red. "That's it, weirdy Reese. I'm gonna make something out of the cowardly little Ravenclaw you are!" She quickly pulled out her wand at him and shouted "Flipendo!" ferociously. There was a bang and the beam from Merula's wand struck Cato, knocking him down to the cobblestone. He yelped and grunted in pain as he went down. Rowan shouted "Cato!" as he went to his side straight away. "Ow! Merula! What's wrong with you!? You just hit me with that spell."

She showed no remorse for hitting Cato, gloating instead. "Look at you spread out on the cold floor. Again if you only had just le-."

Angered that his best friend had gotten hurt over someone's stupidity and brashness, Rowan cut her off "Quiet, Merula! If a teacher saw this, they'd make sure your house would go down with you. This is not at all okay!"

She went "Hmph. You two are very lucky I'm backing off now. It would be too… dishonorable for me to hit someone wounded and needing tending to."

"How in Merlin's beard did you learn that spell?"

With rolling eyes, Merula answered "I've been training while you Ravenclaws have your heads stuck in books and homework. I don't see why any of you couldn't learn how to fight, spending all that free time in the library, not that it matters."

"Why?" asked Rowan.

"Cause I'm going to be the most powerful witch at Hogwarts and show you all I cannot be beaten. I hear you've been giving that poor mudblood Ben company."

The remark about the Gryffindor boy disgusted both Ravenclaws. "Merula!" Cato shouted at her while Rowan glared at her.

"Once I'm through with that filthy little horklump, I'll be after you both. Be ready, or not. Mark my words." the Slytherin ended before departing.

Cato exhaustedly told his friend as he lay on the cobblestone "We've got to learn how to defend ourselves if we're going to stop her." A concerned Rowan agreed "You're right, Cato. Merula doesn't appear that she's going to let up if no one does anything. She's been causing a ruckus all over Hogwarts."

This did not help the mood of Rowan's friend. "No one should have to be in fear of her."

"I'm with you on this and will be all the way, Cato. I will do my best to help you. Our common room should have some spell books for dueling."

"Yeah," said Cato. Defence Against the Dark Arts is a load of rubbish. Maybe we can also ask Professor Flitwick for help." Rowan agreed with his suggestion. "Our head of house was a dueling champion when he was a student here. He must know a few charms that can help you protect yourself against Merula."

"We'll have to ask him later," said Cato. We should get back to our common room now before our prefect gets too worried."

Rowan helped his friend back up onto his feet and they returned to the Ravenclaw Common Room together.

While Merula's attack on Cato was flagrantly past the line, it was an isolated incident they could not do much else about. A concerned Chester agreed with their assessment about learning self-defense to keep Merula at bay, but he advised Cato and Rowan to keep the matter on the down-low. Dueling was tightly regulated and unauthorized matches were not taken lightly by the teachers.

Cato's social confidence was also negatively impacted by Merula's actions. He was more avoidant of others and jumpy out in the halls. Already a shy boy with anxiety, the Slytherin's aggressive behavior only made Cato's situation worse. While his boundaries had been pushed greatly by Merula and others shoving the drama of his expelled brother and the Cursed Vaults in his face, Cato's loyalty and devotion to his friends kept him going as he gradually built up his strength studying dueling spells with Rowan in the event should they be pulled into such a confrontation with Merula again.

As they always did though, rumors of Cato and Rowan's struggles with Merula circulated throughout Hogwarts. They resonated with many others who had the misfortune of being subject to her torment and bullying. The boys did not know much of it, but many students were rooting for Cato to step up and put the menacing Slytherin in her place.

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abianeverdecides · 1 year

Text

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ABIA

HAPPY EXTREMELY LATE BDAY TO MY GIRL ABIA! Bro, it took me ages to finish because test week showed up, then came procrastination and burn out, and then a death in a family (won't go into details cause privacyy)

AND IT ALL CAME RIGHT AS ABIA’S BDAY DID, SO I GOT UNLUCKY AS HELL 😭

But that aside! I did something very different this time for Abia’s birthday. Or, as a matter of fact, we did something different. I did an art collab with my good ol friend @kunihin-art! It’s why the artstyle looks so different 👌

I also took this as the perfect opportunity to add in Abia’s confirmed MC friends Rin (@krinkitori) and Cato (@catohphm) because I really wanted to draw them for a long time. If I ever was in the mood, I might draw them in more future works, but test week is still ongoing. Since I recently got the motivation to draw again and got dragged back into the pit of HPHM (which I left for a bit if you haven’t noticed), I might experiment with more artstyles.

(Since her bday was on Valentine’s day, I put some love letters on the table too, killing two birds with one stone lol)

And the sketch since it was gorgeous- 😩💖

Sorry for dying on y’all, hope this is enough to revive me 💀

I’LL RESPOND TO YOUR MESSAGES NOW I PROMISE-

#hphm #abia khouri #rinkitori kirinto phan #cato reese #Harry potter hogwarts mystery #birthday art #hp hogwarts mystery #hphm mc #hphm mcs #other mcs #abia #rin #cato #YAY FINALLY FINISHED AH

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carewyncromwell · 1 year

Photo

“I won't cry, for you see, When you're gone, I'll still be Bloody Mary.”

x~x~x~x

HPHM Cardverse developed by @ariparri // featuring Cato Reese @catohphm and referencing Veruca McQuaid @ariparri

x~x~x~x

Nearly everyone in the Country of Spades openly mourned the loss of their beloved “Counselor,” the Jack of Spades, Duncan Ashe. He had been very well-liked by most of its people, so even those who hadn’t agreed with him politically or liked him as a person put on a good show of empathy and compassion in the face of it. Even Patricia Rakepick -- who everyone knew was Duncan Ashe’s main rival for power -- spoke very grimly and soberly about the assassination, though there were plenty of people who didn’t believe her act.

One of those people who believed it the least was Jacob Cromwell, a courtier who had been considered Duncan Ashe’s key advisor. The day before Duncan’s death, his mother Lane’s work visa to Hearts had been abruptly rescinded by Rakepick, who claimed that Lane leaving the country posed a threat to national security. Jacob had been so furious that he’d gone straight to Duncan about it, and he wasn’t pleased either.

“Your mother’s not the only one,” Duncan had told him, his jaw clenched with anger. “All visas and permissions that had been previously given have suddenly been revoked, all supposedly because of ‘security concerns.’ Some people have already been arrested on trumped-up charges, to try to prevent them from leaving.”

“Because she’s afraid folks’ll gab about the rotten state of things here, if they’re allowed to leave?” Jacob presumed, his voice pure venom at the thought.

“Pretty much. Rakepick knows the world wouldn’t be on her side in a lot of her positions. She wants to keep this whole thing contained here, in Spades -- even if public opinion isn’t really on her side, she can manipulate that more, if she asserts control here. The less objective sources people can turn to from the outside, the more they’ll have to rely on her and her supporters’ take on things.”

Jacob’s brow furrowed. “But this is overstepping her boundaries, isn’t it? She’s only in charge of the military -- it’s your job to deal with state affairs, Ashe, not hers.”

“Of course it is, and she knows it,” Duncan spat. “She’s gotten really bold, to challenge me like this.”

The Counselor got up from his desk.

“She’s asked me to meet her later tonight,” he said solemnly. “Jacob...I think if your mother has any hope of getting back to Carewyn, she’ll have to find her own way out.”

He paused. His eyes lingered on Jacob’s hand on the desk, but he resisted the urge to take it.

“...And so should you,” he said more quietly.

Jacob’s blue eyes flared. “I’m not leaving you, Ashe.”

“You made this plan for you to leave home because you saw how bad things were getting,” Duncan reminded him. “Don’t play the hero now.”

“Ashe, Rakepick sees you as a threat! If she -- ”

“Your sister needs you,” Duncan told him very sharply. “Your mother needs you.”

It was a pointed blow. Duncan knew Jacob well enough to know how selflessly and unconditionally he adored his family. Jacob quieted immediately.

Duncan swallowed and, clenching his fist as he resisted the urge to take Jacob’s shoulder and squeeze it, he took a step forward, his dark eyes boring into Jacob’s even as his voice grew lower in his throat.

“...Rakepick knows you’re aligned with me, Jacob. You know she and her allies will want to have some sort of leverage over you, to get what they want. Carewyn’s safe from Rakepick for now, but your mother isn’t. And if she has you...well, she has leverage over your mother and Carewyn. ...Over me.”

Jacob looked up at Duncan, startled. Duncan’s face was flushed darkly, but he kept his shoulders very straight.

“Over...?” started Jacob, but Duncan cut him off defensively.

“They love you, Jacob,” he said, his voice growing a little louder as he tried to force Jacob’s train of thought to a halt and redirect it. “You and I both know that if you were in trouble, Carewyn would want to run right back here to save you, and if she did -- well, then she’d be walking right back into Rakepick’s claws, wouldn’t she?”

His dark eyes hardened.

“You Cromwells always put each other over yourselves: it’s what you do. But if you want to protect your family, you’ll have to use that brilliant brain of yours for once and get out yourself. If you don’t, then Rakepick will have the means to catch all three of you. And once she has you, she’ll make you serve her ends -- just to make sure you can never break free again.”

Jacob stared at Duncan for a long moment. Then, setting his jaw, he nodded.

“I’ll write to Mum,” he said lowly. “Tell her to get out now, while she still can.”

“Then you’ll go after?” Duncan pressed him.

Jacob hesitated. Duncan held his gaze,

“...Yes,” Jacob said very quietly after a long moment.

Duncan’s eyes softened. His dark eyes lingered on Jacob’s face, becoming vaguer as they dipped into the creases of his lips -- he even found himself taking a step forward, just to better take in the tiny, charming creases around the other man’s eyes -- the softness of the curl beside his cheek...

“Jacob...” he said lowly.

“Yeah?”

But it was as though the sound of his own voice had startled Duncan back to life. Pride shot back up through his posture like an electric charge, and he immediately stiffened up again, walls coming up around his heart like an armadillo rolling up in a ball.

“...It’s nothing. Just...be careful.”

Jacob watched Duncan head for the door. Duncan could feel Jacob’s blue eyes running along his shoulder and the back of his head, trying and failing to read his expression, but stubbornly pushed back the urge to turn around. He was afraid if he did, he’d have trouble letting go of that curly-haired idiot ever again.

Because Duncan had meant what he’d said -- Jacob being within Rakepick’s reach was dangerous for all those who loved him and longed to protect him. And with the country falling apart from the inside and Veruca’s safety still in active danger after what happened to Coby, Duncan had more than enough to worry about as it was.

He couldn’t afford to worry about Jacob. He couldn’t be paralyzed with fear thinking of what might happen to Jacob, if things got much worse -- not when he had the whole Country of Spades to consider.

x~x~x~x

That very night, following his meeting with Duncan, Jacob sent an urgent note to his mother via a courier. The following morning, the whole Country of Spades learned the horrible news of Duncan Ashe’s assassination.

When Jacob received the news of Duncan’s death, he was absolutely beside himself with grief. His reaction to the news, coupled with the message from Rakepick demanding an audience with him, was so out of control that Jacob ended up violently taking his feelings out on all of the guards who had been assigned to guard the Ace of Spades when he went to confront her. After taking down a good thirty men with nothing but his own two fists and the blunt side of a shot gun, Jacob was finally overcome by Rakepick’s chief stooge, a dark-haired man named Kazuhiro Shiratori, and about ten other soldiers providing back-up. As it’d turned out, Jacob hadn’t had any additional shot or powder besides the one currently in the gun, hence why he’d only used the blunt side of it like a club. Many of Rakepick’s supporters insisted the lone shot in the gun was clearly intended for the Ace of Spades. If it weren’t for Rakepick herself intervening and ordering his imprisonment, Jacob Cromwell likely would’ve died that day.

It was nearly two weeks later that Rakepick followed up with Jacob in his cell. When she arrived, she found the prison quiet and still, except for a low, melancholy song echoing down the empty stone halls.

“Our duty first -- love must not lead... What might have been, had fate decreed? ‘Twere better far, had we not met -- I loved you then...I love you yet... Say ‘au Revoir,’ but not ‘Goodbye’ -- The past is dead: love cannot die. ‘Twere better far, had we not met -- I loved you then...I love you yet...”

Rakepick had heard Jacob Cromwell sing before -- she’d heard both him and his younger sister Carewyn sing in passing, so she had no trouble picking out that familiarly handsome Tenor tone, even despite its slight tear-soaked rasp.

He was grieving. However handsome his voice sounded, it echoed with bottomless pain -- the aching and longing of a man who’d lost the love of his life.

It made Rakepick’s eyes narrow that bit more as the prison guard escorted her down the hall toward Jacob’s cell.

“Jacob Cromwell, your Majesty,” the guard said dutifully.

Rakepick looked into the cell. Jacob had been bound with four different chains, each restraining his limbs to keep him tightly locked to the wall. His left sleeve was completely ripped off his shirt, he was nursing several bruises on his face, and his lip was bleeding.

Jacob looked up through the bars at the sound of the guard’s voice. The sight of Rakepick made him violently shoot to his feet, only to be held back like an attack dog on a leash by the chains binding him.

“You!” he snarled.

Rakepick’s expression became a little stonier.

“Hello, Jacob,” she said lowly.

Her eyes flitted to the guard. “Leave us.”

The guard gave a little bow, before marching back up the hall.

“What do you want, you murderous snake?” Jacob spat.

Rakepick waited for him to be fully out of sight before addressing Jacob. Her dark blue eyes were very cool upon him.

“Is that how you refer to the woman who spared your life?” she asked dryly.

“I know what you did to Coby -- to Ashe!” snarled Jacob. “Ashe was supposed to meet with you that very night, when he died -- ”

“A fact that gives me no solace, in the face of his assassination,” Rakepick cut him off in a very crisp, rehearsed sort of voice. “Believe me, had I not been waiting to meet with the Jack at the location agreed upon, I may have prevented his suffering...and yours, by extension.”

“You lying -- !”

“I do lament that things had to turn out this way, Jacob,” Rakepick said a bit more quietly. “Whether you believe me or not, I sincerely do.”

She folded her arms behind her back, pacing absently to the left as she considered Jacob out the side of her eye. Then, after a moment, she spoke again.

“...When was the last time you spoke to your mother?”

Jacob twitched. He glared up at her, but didn’t reply.

“Jacob,” said Rakepick very sharply. “I asked you a question.”

“And I didn’t answer it,” Jacob shot back very coldly.

“Jacob, your mother has gone missing,” said Rakepick. “No one’s seen her in the last two weeks -- the museum has heard nothing from her, and your flat has been abandoned.”

Jacob didn’t react with any kind of surprise. This seemed to be the answer Rakepick had been looking for -- her eyes narrowed, flaring with more fire than ever.

“Where is she?” she said very quietly.

Jacob didn’t respond -- instead he just turned his head away. Rakepick took hold of the bars, her eyes searing at Jacob through them.

“Your mother avoided an official summons from the Court of Spades,” she said sharply. “As you know, that in itself is a criminal offense. And with her visa already having been revoked out of a concern for national security, that now makes your mother a wanted woman, in the eyes of both the military of Spades and the country overall. When they find her, our officers will show no mercy -- unless you give me some information I can use to find her first.”

Again, Jacob didn’t answer. Rakepick’s eyes narrowed that bit more.

“That same information could also earn you your freedom, as well, if you merely cooperate,” she murmured. “I’ve already sent a letter to your sister’s university, telling her as much.”

The mention of Carewyn made Jacob shift slightly on the floor. Rakepick tried to latch onto this.

“Carewyn would be more than capable of advocating for you at your trial -- she more than knows the law well enough to argue a plea deal before the court. Then you can go back to living just the way you did before, here in Spades. Maybe even better than before. The army could use a mind like yours...as well as your sister’s.”

Jacob bowed his head. Rakepick tilted her head a bit, trying to gauge Jacob’s expression. Then, after a long moment, without moving off the floor, Jacob very slowly raised his head again to look back up at Rakepick.

His almond-shaped blue eyes were glinting with spite, and his lips curled up in a very large and cold smirk.

“‘And once she has you...she’ll make you serve her ends, just so you can never break free again,’” said Jacob. “Looks like Ashe really had you pegged.”

The curly-haired young man sharply rose to his feet, the chains rattling loudly in the movement as he got as close to the bars he could.

“Sorry, Rakepick -- but Lane Cromwell is long gone, and well out of your reach. And Wyn is more than wise enough to see through your little game -- no matter what you might tell her, or what you might threaten me with, she will never come back to Spades...and she will never serve you.”

Jacob’s eyes blazed with hatred despite the satisfaction in his expression.

“And once I break out of here myself,” he whispered venomously, “you’ll have no more leverage over my family. And I swear, I will not rest until you meet an end even more painful than the one you thrust upon Ashe.”

By the time Jacob was finished, Rakepick’s expression had hardened, losing all possible trace of compassion.

“...Very well.”

She stared Jacob down for a long moment, her dark blue eyes just as fiery and resentful as his. Then, turning on her heel, she called down the hall.

“Guard!”

The dutiful guard from before scrambled down the hall so as to meet Rakepick.

“Yes, your Majesty?”

“Double the watch on the prisoner,” Rakepick said very coldly, “and cut three links off his restraints. I don’t want him going anywhere.”

The guard saluted, before dashing off down the hall. Rakepick shot a look over her shoulder at Jacob.

“If you will not recant your past crimes and help us locate your mother, then your execution date will be set,” she said callously. “I sincerely hope for your sister’s sake, you have a change of heart on the matter -- it would pain me deeply, to have to inform her of her brother’s passing -- ”

“You contact my sister again, and I’ll show you the meaning of pain, you heartless witch,” Jacob spat.

Rakepick sighed tiredly. “You know, Jacob, your brain could earn you the honor and esteem of the world...but your temper really does make you impossible to work with.”

With this, she strode out of the prison.

x~x~x~x

That spring, across the border in the Land of Clubs, the Ace of Clubs, Cato Reese, was startled by a message he received from a town up near their northern border. An emaciated and exhausted-looking woman had been found collapsed in a heap on the railroad tracks just north of the capitol and had been brought to the local hospital to recover. When she’d awoken and someone had told her she was in the Clubs, she’d asked if anyone could help her find someone named Orion Amari.

“Someone named Orion Amari” -- it was a phrase that could make just about anyone in the Land of Clubs laugh, considering who Orion Amari was. But Cato instead found it very concerning, and he was sure to tell Orion so, when he escorted the King of Clubs on Abraxan-back up north toward the hospital where the strange woman was recovering.

“Madam Sprout’s letter noted that her manner of dress was distinctly foreign,” Cato said thoughtfully. “A worn wool skirt, a pinstriped waistcoat and white gloves...even the pocketwatch found on her was emblazoned with a crest of Spades.”

“That would explain her not knowing my position,” said Orion serenely.

“Maybe,” Cato granted as he adjusted his grip on the reins of his Abraxan steed, “but...well, I’ve seen those sorts of pocketwatches before. The Jack of Spades had one when he came to visit, remember? That has to indicate she’s got to be at least a little familiar with the Court of Spades, wouldn’t it? But if she’s encountered you through the Court of Spades, then she would have to know you’re the King of Clubs...”

“And yet she doesn’t,” finished Orion.

“Exactly.”

Orion’s steed Tralee gave a light murr. The King of Clubs brought a gentle hand through her silvery white mane to soothe her.

“It seems this stranger has some knowledge of me outside of my position as King,” Orion said, and he too looked intrigued now. “Let us get to the bottom of that swiftly.”

x~x~x~x

When the King and Ace arrived at the hospital, Madam Sprout led them under seemingly endless ceilings and past beautiful wooden pillars carved to resemble the trees that framed the building’s exterior. They migrated all the way to the far end of the ward, which held the bed belonging to the woman in question.

She was an older woman, likely the age to be both Cato and Orion’s mother, with long blond hair around a heart-shaped face and shadows under her eyes, which shone a bright, almond-shaped blue.

A very familiar blue...

When Orion and Cato approached, the woman looked up. Despite the frailness of her features, her eyes were very bright and alert.

“You have visitors, Lane,” Madam Sprout said kindly.

The name made a strange light of recognition spark to life in Orion’s eyes. Cato glanced at him, but his face was a mask he couldn’t quite read as he walked up to the woman’s bedside.

The woman called Lane smiled at Orion.

“Are you Orion?” she said. Her voice was very soft and oddly fragile, and yet echoed with warmth and hope.

“Yes,” said Orion.

Lane’s expression bloomed like a flower, her lips spreading into a full, relieved smile. She reached out to gently take Orion’s hand in both of hers, even if the kind gesture made Orion stiffen like a lightly startled cat.

“It’s so wonderful to finally meet you,” she said earnestly. “Even if it is like this. Winnie’s spoken so highly of you...”

“‘Winnie?’” repeated Cato, confused.

He looked to Orion for an explanation, but Orion was instead solely focused on Lane.

“Would your name...be Lane Cromwell?” the King asked, his voice very soft.

“Yes,” said Lane. “I’m Carewyn’s mother.”

That strange glint from before took over Orion’s eyes at that name, shining much brighter than before and yet also looking more tense.

“You were supposed to join Carewyn in the Kingdom of Hearts this last winter,” murmured Orion. “And yet you are here. I feel that I should be very concerned, about that.”

Lane’s eyes welled up with pain.

“The army blocked my work visa at the last moment,” she explained.

“Rakepick’s officially shut down all transport in and out of the Country of Spades,” supplied Cato, and Orion glanced at him. “She just shut down the railroad three days ago.”

“I thought she would,” said Lane. “I knew I’d need to show identification to use the train anyway...that’s why I just decided to follow the tracks on foot. I knew they’d take me to the Land of Clubs...even the Kingdom of Hearts eventually, if I just kept going...”

“You went on foot?” said Cato, alarmed. “To do that -- it must’ve taken you weeks to get here...”

“What of your son, Jacob?” Orion asked. His hands were clasped tightly in front of him as he regarded Lane. “He worked for your Jack of Spades, didn’t he?”

Another pained shudder rippled over Lane’s expression.

“...When my visa was blocked, Jay promised to follow up with the Jack of Spades. When I returned home that night, a courier brought me this -- ”

She leaned over to pick up a water-stained, crumpled-up letter, which Cato unfolded and read aloud:

“‘Mum -- your fears were right. Rakepick doesn’t want you leaving the country. Ashe has said there are already others who’ve been rounded up and put in jail after trying and failing to leave.’”

Cato shot a quick glance at Orion. His King’s black eyes had narrowed slightly.

“‘I’ll have to stay in the capitol tonight, to finish up some work for Ashe,’” Cato pressed on. “‘In the meantime, pack your things and leave the Country of Spades, now. It doesn’t matter where -- just run. I know you’ll want to wait for me so we can leave together, but I won’t be home for at least a whole day, and the Ace might get to you before I do. The longer you wait, the harder it’ll be for us all to get out. Don’t worry -- I’ve already promised Ashe I’ll be right behind you, and now I’m promising you. I’ll find Wyn, and then I’ll find you. I love you. Jacob.’”

“Then it’s as we feared,” Orion murmured.

Orion looked from Lane, who had bowed her head to try to obscure the grief in her expression, to Cato.

“I must make contact with Veruca,” he said solemnly. “She’ll want to know at least one of the new Queen of Spades’ targets successfully escaped.”

Lane looked up, very startled.

“Queen?” she repeated, her soft voice incredibly tense and urgent.

Cato nodded grimly. “Patricia Rakepick recently took on the mantle of Queen, in the advent of Duncan Ashe’s death. She claimed it was out of a desire to ‘better centralize noble authority.’”

Despite the stability of his voice, the Ace of Clubs’s disapproval was apparent. Orion, whose face was a bit more stoic, clasped his hands in front of him as he looked out the window, his eyes absently resting on Tralee, who was tied up securely outside the hospital.

“We’ll use the regular channels, to reach Veruca,” he told Cato solemnly. “For Carewyn, however, I may need to be more direct...”

“Are you planning on going to the Kingdom of Hearts yourself to see her?” said Cato, surprised.

“I have sent letters to the university of Hearts, and they have reached her there,” said Orion. “Perhaps if I request an audience with the King and Queen of Hearts, I can use that as an excuse to likewise seek out a direct audience with Carewyn.”

#hphm cardverse #cardverse au #jacob cromwell #patricia rakepick #lane cromwell #orion amari #cato reese #my writing #aesthetic #moodboard #jacashe my boys I'm so sorry for the angst ;~;#just like in canon you guys didn't get to overcome your pride and stupidity respectively enough to come clean about your feelings DX #the escape artist will ttly have to break into the clocktower at some point just to see his dead boyfriend :'(#lane is a trooper though!!#being on the run for months before finally being brought to the hospital in clubs #not easy to try to bust out of spades with the army of spades breathing down your neck #don't underestimate mama lane she may be soft-spoken and bookish but she is a resilient little thing #just like her daughter!

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