#the captain of the team told me on saturday that she took a letter in to the athletic director and the vice principal

[justalittlebluetiefling]

Job finally posted and I sure am nervous considering I keep saying I just can't wait to be done with this either way.

#personal #submitted my application and immediately got nauseous lol #the captain of the team told me on saturday that she took a letter in to the athletic director and the vice principal #she's very sweet #really it is true that i can't wait to be done either way #i just want to KNOW you know?

[creativeashproductions]

Change of Scenery // Evan Buckley

IN WHICH: Captain Bobby Nash has kept a secret from his friends, his wife and his step children since 2015 when he came to LA. Bobby’s eldest and only surviving child comes to LA to reconcile and make amends all the while she catches the eye of a certain blue eyed firefighter.

Warnings: Swearing, death/familial loss, pregnancy, blood, angst, injuries/medical emergency, and fluff

Words: 8k

A/N: Back at it with another 9-1-1 fic. Hope you enjoy, and I may just have to do another crossover with 9-1-1 and Julie and the Phantoms.

TO BE TAGGED SEND AN INBOX/ASK PLEASE!

Masterlist

There are moments in our lives that define us, whether it can be known as a positive or negative, but the outcome is always the same. A six-letter word that strikes fear and excitement into the souls of humans is change. The fear can be for ourselves or as a result of a child, a sibling, or a parent branching out on their own. Unfortunately, you had gone through a harsh and cruel experience on a cold winter night in the city you grew up in.

A typical Thursday filled with classes at the college you attended in Minnesota on a scholarship, nothing out of the ordinary. The plan had been to drive to your parents’ apartment to catch up with them for the weekend. Saturday morning was already reserved for a girls day with your little sister Brook and your mom. In the afternoon, you’d promised to take your brother Bobby to the ball diamond.

Your bag was packed, the plan to drive straight from class to St. Paul the following day to arrive in the daylight. Your dad struggled with worry when it came to you driving in the dark and especially in winter with icy roads.

“Y/N!” Dottie screeched from the living room of the four-bedroom dormitory. The pretty and curvy brunette had been the first friend you made in college.

Typically Dottie was on the quieter side, so when she screamed, you practically sprinted to the girl.

“Where’s the fire?” You demanded with a smirk at the reference to a topic that was a constant in your family. 

The fire drills your father conducted every four months for an exit plan in case of a fire and general information to save yourselves. He had also trained you to remember fire hazards and how to call dispatch with clear information if that time ever came. It never did and hopefully never would.

“The Lakeview Apartments in St. Paul.” Dottie’s dark brown eyes spoke only of pity and concern. The five foot ten roommate literally caught you as you tumbled into her arms with a loud grief-stricken scream.

You were forever indebted to the brunette for the plans she sacrificed to drive you back to St. Paul. There was absolutely no chance Dottie would allow you to both drive and be alone with no news. The media hadn’t released the names of the 148 deaths the fire relentlessly tore from the land of the living.

“I want to prepare you for what you’ll see. Your mother suffered severe third-degree burns over the majority of her body.” The kind nurse, also one of your friend’s parent, explained as she guided you to the Burn Center in the Regions Hospital, “I don’t want to lie and tell you she’ll be fine. You’re an adult Y/N. You deserve the truth and not be coddled.”

“Is she gonna survive?” You quietly asked, “Has she woken up since she was brought in?”

“The doctor placed her on a high dosage of morphine for the pain. Your father hasn’t left her side.” Lucinda informed you with sympathy written as over her face, The hazel eyes unable to adequately meet yours.

“I’ll check on her, then could you take me to the rooms my siblings are in?” You asked, completely unaware Brook and Bobby had been DOA at the hospital.

Your father hadn’t answered the text messages or the voicemails you had left on his phone—radio silent. You couldn’t be mad when he was with your mom, but a text would have been nice.

“This is where your mother is staying for the unforeseeable future. If you need anything, you can call me.” Lucinda softly replied before turning her heel to head back to the Burn Centre’s front desk.

It was horrific walking into a room with no idea if the occupant who had raised you would survive. The confident, gorgeous mother you had for the past nineteen years was unfamiliar to you, the extensive gauze covering nearly every inch of her body. You almost couldn’t even recognize the man sitting in the chair with his hands wrapped. 

“Dad? What happened?” You questioned the grieving man. The only person left in your family as you would soon come to know.

“Y/N?” Bobby gasped, pushing himself to his feet, staring at his only living child. The guilt ate at him just staring at you with those light brown eyes, “Oh, sweetheart.”

Your dad crossed the room in a few steps. The scent of smoke was still clinging to every part of him, but it was fine. Your dad was okay, minus the wounds on his hands. You’d always been closer with your father than your mother.

“Dad, what happened?” You quietly asked the ashamed firefighter that had to reconcile his feelings on the fire and his career—that struggle ending up pushing you away when he really just wanted you as close as possible.

“The building caught on fire after an ember from a heater lit a blanket on fire,” Bobby informed you with his eyes pinned on his wife. Bobby knew the chances of Marcy surviving were incredibly low, and he had to tell you that.

Bobby only knew the details passed on from a firefighter who pitied the man who’d lost most of his family. 

“Is Mom gonna be okay?” You questioned, and the said injured woman in the bed weakly responded.

“Baby?” Marcy quietly questioned from her absolutely still position on the hospital bed, “Uh, Bobby.”

You left your father’s side to be as close to your mom as possible, with the clear plastic separating you for her safety. Your heart shattered at the sheer exhaustion in her pretty blue eyes. 

“Hi, Mom.” You shakily spoke with one hand lightly pressed against the plastic divider. You didn’t even notice when your dad stepped up too.

“Marcy?” Bobby called out from right beside you, just as torn up, but Bobby carried extra weight on his shoulders, “We’re right here, Marcy. It’s okay. It’s okay.”

The muffled grunt of pain, your mom’s attempt to save you from grief, Marcy let out as she turned her head to look at you. You knew deep in your gut that this was the time place you would see your mom alive. And by the look in her eyes, she knew too.

“The...kids…?” Your mom’s breathing became more erratic as she questioned the man she viewed as her hero. The man she believed had saved her and their youngest children, “Where...are they?”

“The kids are fine.” The way your father said it and the tears led to the knowledge once kept from you.

“No.” You whispered, seeing the total grief written clear on his face. The pain meds and agony kept your mom from knowing the truth.

“They’re safe.”

“I knew you’d come and save us.” Your mom breathed as her eyes started hiding the pretty blue you’d now only see in pictures. In your dreams, until even those faded as father time cruelly pulled you along.

Then your worst nightmare happened. You watched as the woman you looked up to flatlined with the thought of her children safe. You’d always know she’d held on just long enough to find out the state of her children. You could only hope she’d forgive your father for lying to her as she died.

“Mom!” You screamed, fighting the arms of an orderly restraining you. You barely noticed the resistance to your frantic attempts.

One minute you were staring at a team unsuccessfully trying to revive your long-gone mother, then you were in a hotel room. The atmosphere tense and quiet between father and daughter, with the ghost of your dead family to keep you both company. You could hear Brook gagging every time you’d kissed your now ex. You could see Bobby toddling after you years ago.

At least you had your father—a father whose guilt festered until he couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“It was my fault.” He murmured, staring at the barely eaten burger that tasted solely just cardboard. He couldn’t bear to look at your face, “I didn’t mean to leave it on.”

Your head snapped to stare at him in disbelief, “What do you mean you didn’t mean to leave it on?”

“I-I went to the roof to sleep after your mom kicked me out. I didn’t have my keys to the apartment I had below ours.” Bobby began spilling the lies he’d told to you about his addictions. Of the apartment, you’d had no clue was even in his possessions.

The pain of losing your family tore into you, “You took my mom away from me. I’ll never get to share my wedding day with her. Shopping for a dress and gossiping about boys. I’ll never be able to wipe Brook’s tears during her first heartbreak.”

Each word broke Bobby more and more.

“You stole my future. You’re selfish, ungrateful and utterly pathetic. You cost so many people so much, all because you sought out your next high.” You spat, glaring at someone you’d never expected to hurt you. You didn’t notice your hands grabbing your possessions nor opening the hotel room door, “You couldn’t even properly try to get clean.”

“Y/N-”

“Get your shit together before you kill anyone else. I never want to see you again.” You sobbed with regret already festering in your body, but pride held you back from apologizing.

Upon your return to your dorm with Dottie by your side, you immediately began the process to enter an exchange program. Within a month, your feet entered Sydney Airport. You didn’t return to America for several years.

You took a job as a casual lifeguard on Bondi Beach, met Lucas in a meet-cute situation at the grocery store. You graduated college and found a job as a paramedic as you began becoming a flight paramedic. In 2020 Lucas and you discovered you’d be bringing in a little baby into the world.

Learning about your little Cashew growing safe in your womb fanned the flame of desire to reconcile. Ultimately the pride kept pushing the urge to apologize for the cruel words you told your father further away. You naively believed you had all the time in the world.  

Remember the six-letter scary word? If losing your mom, siblings, and father was a devastating blow, losing Lucas was nearly tied. Your little Cashew lost their father before they even got to meet him. That was push enough to pack up your home and fly back to America with your father’s new address as soon as you could.

In the fallout of the apartment fire, your father relocated from Minnesota to Los Angeles. 

Los Angeles, 2020

As soon as you’d found the nicest but cheapest hotel to stay in until you found a place, you walked the streets of LA. The first order of business of approaching your father at his workplace as you had no personal address. Residing still in Minnesota, Deputy Chief Evans had only given you the address of Bobby’s work.

You could only hope Bobby wouldn’t turn you away. That he was willing to bridge the gap, you’d widened over the years. That he could forgive the silence to each email, he sent when you changed numbers.

“We should go out to dinner.” The female voice was what brought you back to the present time. The woman was beautiful with her buzzed head and clear skin.

Right by her side was a dark-haired male of Asian ethnicity with a bag thrown over his shoulder, “If you’re paying, you bet I’ll be there.”

The two continued to converse in their own world until the man had to literally dodge you when they finally noticed you.

“Does Chief Bobby Nash work here?” You inquired, having no desire to enter small talk when the baby was sitting on your bladder again. You nearly retched when the man stared down at your swollen midsection, shocked, “It’s not his baby.”

Hen caught the evident disgust on your face, “He’s in his office. I’ll guide you there…”

“Y/N.” You supplied the firefighter. Hen smiled in response, “And your name is…”

“Henrietta Wilson, but you can call me Hen. That was Howard Han. He goes by Chimney, and I’ve been sworn to secrecy on the name.” Hen chuckled in her steps to the closed door of the fire chief. Hen swiftly knocked on the door to give Bobby a heads up.

“Come in!” Bobby called from his pile of paperwork he had pushed and waited to work on. It had slipped as the date came closer. Your twenty-seventh birthday, the seventh one since he last saw you.

“Cap, a woman is asking for you,” Hen told her friend and boss. It’s a good thing you didn’t choose to surprise your father because Hen was shorted, and your bump made manoeuvring around tricky.

“What can I do…” Bobby trailed off when he saw the girl waiting to talk to him. The pen in his hand dropped to the table in shock.

Hen glanced between the two equally taken aback individuals, “Am I missing something here?”

“Hey, dad.” You whispered to the man who’d been dreaming of this moment since the minute you left. He’d searched for you at your previous college and nearly made a missing person report.

“Dad?” Hen couldn’t pick her jaw up from the floor if she even wanted to because this was juicy information. Sure, Bobby had caved into telling his team, his family that he’d lost his wife and two children in a fire.

He rarely talked about his life before the 118, but he’d never mentioned having a surviving daughter. Not in the handful of times he’d talked about the tragedy, nor did he have any objects or photos of you. 

“You’re really here?” Bobby lightly chuckled with a twinkle in his eye. Hen had only seen a handful of times. All of them had Athena in the scene, “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” You beamed, stepping closer to the man you’d missed dearly, “I’m so sorry for the way I left. What I said was cruel and untrue. You aren’t selfish, and I can’t blame you for something you couldn’t control.”

Bobby grinned. He’d stepped around his desk only to halt when he took in an undeniable development—the baby bump you carried.

“Is-”

“I’m pregnant. Six months along with a baby girl.” You laughed to the apparent disbelief in your father’s light brown eyes. His gaze continued to shift between the bump and your e/c eyes.

“Wow. Sorry, this is...wow.” 

“She’s one of the reasons I wanted to come back. To fix our relationship because I want her to know her grandpa. You’re the only grandparent Poppy will know.” Bobby was quick to tug you into his arms as soon as the first tear dropped down your cheek.

There was so much you wanted to tell your father, but that overwhelming grief rose higher. You’d left Australia where Lucas laid in a plot in a cemetery. You left the friends you’d found in the city. Left the lifeguard job you’d come to love.

“Where are you and your partner staying?”

“He...uh...Lucas passed away recently.”

The arms holding you tightened in response to your confession, “Oh sweetheart.”

“I didn’t know where else to go. I can’t stay in the home we bought. Not the place he died when I couldn’t save him.”

“I don’t know what happened, but it wasn’-”

“Don’t coddle me. I was...am a paramedic. A flight paramedic, to be specific, so I know that my hesitation could be the reason he died.”

Your career took the father by complete and utter surprise because you’d always planned on a different job. Before the fire that claimed so many lives, you’d never entertained a career in the emergency field.

“We have a lot to catch up on. First, you need to know that I’ll always love your mother no matter what, but you need to know. I met someone when I first moved here, and we were friends at first. She divorced her husband. We started dating...sweetheart, I remarried.”

A wave of emotions flared in your chest, from betrayal to sadness and ultimately happiness. Having lost your first love, you understood and knew if love came around for you, you wouldn’t ignore it. Lucas wouldn’t want that.

“I can’t wait to meet her.”

Re-entering into Bobby’s new life was a difficult adjustment for everyone included. Tension had risen between Athena and Bobby for a brief period. Athena hadn’t even been aware of your existence, but she could fault Bobby. Athena had even told her first husband about her late fiance Emmett when they were still together.

It was difficult for you with the new addition of two step-siblings in the same birth order as Brook and Bobby had been. The Grant siblings had welcomed you into the family without any reservations.

“Did you ever get to fly the chopper?” Harry asked as he scrubbed the dirty dish from the Sunday family dinner. 

It was the first dinner that had no awkward tension since you arrived back in the country. Athena had taken a bit to warm up, but it was nothing personal. She’d actually been the one to find you you’d been staying at a hotel. Mama Athena did not like her pregnant step-daughter living at a hotel. She’d actually stormed your room with Hen and Karen as back up to pack your room and leave for the Grant-Nash house.

“No. I had to help keep the patients alive. If I’m telling the truth...sometimes I didn’t even notice I was in the air.” You whispered to your stepbrother. He was just invested in your career as he had been when Bobby first entered their lives.

“That is so cool!” Harry enthused with soap suds splashing your thin knitted sweater. Harry’s mouth formed an ‘o’ when you flicked water onto his face in retaliation.

“Do you know Bondi Beach in Australia?” You inquired the youth with the chore of dishes completed.

“Yeah! There’s a tv show called Bondi Rescue! I watch the clips on YouTube!” Harry exclaimed, hot on your heels to the couch. Out of May and Harry, he followed you around with questions about your life in Australia.

“I was a casual lifeguard. I’m not featured on that show, but I would get called in when a lifeguard was needed. It paired well with my job as a flight paramedic.” You half-smiled, remembering the Bondi lifeguards who had welcomed you into the family. You became one of them when they started pranking you.

“Did you ever see a shark-”

“Harry, go brush your teeth. Leave Y/N alone.” Athena informed her youngest from the open patio doors. Your father, Athena and May had been outside as soon as the table had been cleared.

“But-”

“Harry,” Athena warned the youngest Grant. Harry didn’t attempt to argue with his stern mother; all he did was hug you quickly. You watched the young boy disappear into the hallway.

“He reminds you of your little brother?” Athena questioned. In your time of reminiscing, the older woman had settled in Harry’s previous position.

“A little.” You whispered, “Thank you for welcoming me into the family. For making my dad happy.”

“You know I may have some baby clothes put away if you’d like to use them?” Athena offered with that smile that made you feel at home. Athena was far different from your late mother, with her presence commanding respect and intelligence. Your mom was similar, but I suppose it could be described as a softer touch.

“Anyway, saving a penny is appreciated. I have a question for you also.” You hesitantly started with a bundle of nerves deep in your belly. Athena turned to give you her full attention.

“Well? Out with it.” Athena pushed, but she had a slight feeling of what you were about to ask her.

“My mom was one the strongest women I know. It hurts that my baby won’t get to experience her love and guidance, and you can say no. We’ve only known each other a short time, but would you consider...maybe being a grandma to my baby?”

Giddy was the feeling Athena developed along with the laughing smile that only came from happiness. The woman could only nod her head in response to your hesitant question. To Athena’s knowledge but not yours, Bobby was softly smiling, watching his formerly estranged daughter getting along with your stepmom.

“Oh!” You gasped as your baby kicked hard enough for her foot imprint to be seen through your knitted sweater. 

Bobby was by your side in concern the second he heard your startled sound, but Athena wasn’t that concerned. Athena remembered having the same reaction.

“Are you okay?” Bobby frantically questioned. He faltered when the woman shared a belly-deep laugh at the sheer fear written in the seasoned firefighter’s eyes.

“Poppy was kicking.” You chuckled as your father’s shoulders dropped in relief, “Here.”

Your nimble fingers clasped around your father’s wrist to bring his palm to the spot Poppy was kicking. A certain lightness flooded your entire body, being capable of sharing this experience with Bobby. Watching tears well up in the grandpa to be’s brown eyes.

“Whoa.” Bobby breathlessly spoke as Poppy kicked against his palm. The feeling building in his was exhilarating with the small amount of grief mixed in, “I remember when your mom was pregnant with you. We didn’t know if we were having a girl or boy, but she was adamant you would be a kickboxer. So active.”

Athena watched as the relationship between father and daughter started healing directly in front of her eyes. The Sergeant was about to give you two some privacy when you caught her hand in your free one.

“Here.” You informed the older woman shifting to place her hand where your father’s hand had previously been. Your e/c eyes sought the wonder-filled different shades of brown eyes the couple had.

“You should get some sleep,” Athena spoke, staring at her hand resting on your bump. Her dark chocolate brown rising to find your gaze, “You won’t be getting a lot once she arrives.”

Bobby and Athena watched as you turned the corner to the spare room Athena’s parents used when they visited. For the time being, you’ve moved into the room, and the Grant-Nash house hoped you would stay. May had always wanted a sister, and Harry loved all the stories you told about Australia.

“You know, at some point, you’ll have to talk to her.”

“I just was-’

“-without anyone else being the buffer. Bobby, both your lives is evidence enough that some things are too trivial to stress over.” Athena pinned her stern gaze on her husband. The same husband is actively trying to avoid her penetrating gaze.

“What I did-’

“Is in the past, Bobby. You have a second chance with that wonderful woman in that bedroom and our grandchild. Now, are you sure that having the party at the firehouse is okay?”

A hand supported the base of your back where an ache tended to stay for most of the day. That ache wasn’t the worst symptom of your pregnancy. You had heartburn constantly that tied with unfortunate constipation that had thankfully lessened. Your purse always had a cardigan for the hot flashes as well.

“Perfect! May has my car, and Bobby needed that.” Athena beamed from the open bay of the 118. One of the firefighters, Eddie, if you recalled, snagged your purse and the specific ingredient for a recipe.

“You could have borrowed Bobby’s-”

“His vehicle is in the shop Buck.” Athena interrupted the only member of the 118 you had let to officially meet.

Now there were two suspects of the sudden shortness of breath you started experiencing. It could be Poppy in the limited space in your body or the handsome firefighter. Buck had to be hands down none of the most attractive men you’d ever encountered. His dark blonde hair had minimal height, but the soft waves made your fingers itch to feel it. His ocean blue eyes crinkled at the corners with mirth.

“Ah, so you’re flesh and blood of Cap?” Buck questioned from in front of you. His blue eyes centred solely on you, with half a mind thanking himself that he could navigate the station blindfolded in the dark.

“For the last twenty-seven years, I have been.” You retorted, stopping at the edge of the stairs to the apparatus. Your keen sense of smell catching one of your favourite meals your father had dug up from the recipes he hadn’t used in years.

A zing of electricity trailed off your arm when a calloused palm met yours. Your e/c eyes followed the path of tan skin until it reached the shirt sleeve of Buck’s t-shirt. The shirt emblazoned on the chest with the department’s insignia. The man in the casual uniform guided you safely up the stairs with his hand on your back.

The pressure of Buck’s hand on your aching back muscle nearly brought what would be an embarrassing moan from your lips. Thankfully a gasp of surprise fell out instead at the banner hanging with other decorations.

“What?” You choked, cupping your hands to your face. Pure unadulterated shock and affection flooded every inch of you.

The entire 118 squad intermixed with their loved ones surrounded the open area with grins. On a table behind everyone was many wrapped gifts. But the cake was the most impressive.

A large rectangular cake in the realistic shape of a fire engine parked in front of a fire hydrant with a fondant hose going to the truck. On top of the fire truck was the turnout boots next to the matching helmet, the 118 proudly on it. You adored the turnout coat draping off the top to hang off the side.

“If you look at the helmet, it says Poppy.” Buck enthused, guiding you even closer to catch the immaculate cake, “It has to be the best cake we’ve gotten from them.”

“Hey, my rebar head cake was phenomenal!” Chimney called with a belying grin on his face. His hand encased by a brunette woman about his height with her heels on.

“It’s a long story.” Buck offered as soon as you gave him a weird questioning look, “Let me introduce you to everyone!”

For the next five minutes, you spend it by meeting the family of 118, including Eddie’s completely adorable son. Christopher was happy to sit next to you as soon as Harry had found you. Slowly the others came closer to hear the stories.

“What’re the most common injuries on the beach?” Denny, Hen and Karen’s ten-year-old son questioned.

“Bluebottle Jellyfish stings. On one day, we had hundreds of people come to the tower for stings, and the treatment for the minor ones is stingose spray and ice.”

“My question is how a girl from Minnesota is a lifeguard in Australia. Especially on Sydney’s most dangerous beach.” Chimney inserted, waving his bottle of pop at you, his eyes kept moving towards the wine Maddie brought.

Unfortunately, the 118 wouldn’t be celebrating with the wine until their shifts ended in a few short hours. It was a damn miracle they hadn’t been called out yet.

“This former Minnesotan spent summers at my best friend’s parents’ place in Cali as a lifeguard. Also, Bondi is not the most dangerous beach in Sydney. That’s Tamarama.” You pointed towards the man who raised his hands in surrender.

“Have you ever seen a dead body?” Harry asked, bringing a sobering silence in the question’s wake.

Your body language changed as soon as he asked, “Unfortunately, I’ve seen death as a paramedic and as a lifeguard.”

“You’re a paramedic? I thought you were just a lifeguard?” Buck asked, interested in the new information. Buck could feel his Captain’s eyes on the back of his head; he was sure Bobby could smell the attraction on Buck.

“Casual lifeguard. Called when needed as a backup.” You turned your e/c eyes towards the arguably youngest member of the 118.

“How many dead-”

“Harry.” Athena warned her son from continuing a topic that killed the ease and happiness you’d shown previously, “Why don’t we stop talking about-”

“Too many, Harry.” You interrupted your stepmom with a gentle smile towards the woman, “It’s not just drowning that claims lives but also the cliffs surrounding the beaches. Lifeguards patrol more than the beaches and water. Lifeguards respond to medical emergencies, mostly spinal until the paramedics arrive.”

“Oh-”

“I had a fellow lifeguard leave the job because of the suicides we deal with.”

“...who wants cake?” Karen used the quiet interlude of the much too serious topic for a group of kids barely in the double digits of ages. All referenced children followed Hen’s life to the beautiful baked creation.

“Sorry for getting dark there.”

“We all know the dark side of the jobs we chose to do. You sound like you miss Australia. Are you going to return there?” Eddie questioned with one eye pinned on his son, consuming more sugar than he wished.

Eddie’s question did raise self-doubt, but you knew that ultimately living in Australia was no longer a viable option. 

“There’s nothing there for me.”

Eddie, Buck and your father understood that mentality to a ‘t’ with family complications keeping them away. Your father for obvious reasons, whereas Eddie and Buck each had a living family with opinions only they saw right.

“You’re always welcome here. Especially when you bring that little cutie to the firehouse.” Maddie cooed towards your baby bump. The 911 dispatcher had asked many questions about your pregnancy.

 Maddie was the type of person who could make a stranger feel like they had known for their entire lives.

“Here.”

A plate of the cake was thrust in front of your face courtesy of Maddie’s brother Buck. It is quite literally the perfect size you could ask for. In his other hand, he had a new bottle of water waiting for you to grab.

“Thank you, Buck.” Your shock must have shown in your voice when his cheeks flushed.

“This whole party is a celebration for you, so you shouldn’t have to get up...unless you want to!” Buck rushed to respond, getting more flustered with the amused look of his older sister on him, “You’re already doing something absolutely amazing, so you should get to rela-”

“Buck!” You laughed, ending the older man’s rambling thoughts. The entire party attendees had started watching Buck’s failed smooth attempt.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

Buck mutely nodded in response, “No prob-”

The bell was the one to interrupt him instead. The on-duty firefighters rushed down from the upper levels to the lockers. The swift suiting up impressed you as it was like you blinked, and the bay was empty.

“Should be the last call before they get off shift.” Maddie, still occupied with the cake she was eating, “That wine looks so good!”

Your attention snapped from the vacant spots the 118 vehicles parked to the woman ploughing down on the cake. Sure it was good, but not that good. Maybe you could tell as a pregnant woman, or perhaps you just caught some of the symptoms you felt.

“How far along are you?”

Maddie froze, “What are you talk-”

“You’re pregnant, right?”

“Don’t tell anyone. Chim and I found out recently, but we want to wait on telling people. Once the first trimester is over, everyone can know.” Maddie pleaded with two hands cupped under her chin in a prayer position. The pretty brunette using the puppy dog eyes on the new friend she’d made.

“You should tell Buck-”

“We will once we enter the safe zone. So tell me about your baby’s father.” Maddie swiftly changed the subject, unaware of the ache developing in your midsection.

“Lucas Gowan.” You mussed, recalling the freckled half Australian half Scots man with the thick red locks.

“Ooh, is he still in Australia?”

“Technically, he is. I met him at the grocery store near the university campus. I’d transferred to escape my grief. It was purely an attraction at first sight before developing into love at first sight. We convocated and moved into a cosy little place. We’d only just found out about the baby when Lucas passed away.”

As you told Maddie, your hand had moved to cradle the only remaining piece of Lucas. 

“His death was unexpected and sudden. He’d taken a run the morning of our scan to find out baby Gowan’s gender. He fell off the side of the cliff. I was told he died instantly. The investigator believes his shoelace untied, and he stepped on it. Fell right off the side.”

“I’m so sorry.” Maddie breathed, leaning closer to hold your hands in her own, “He’d be so proud of you. For returning to the states. Do you keep in contact with his family?”

“He was an only child. Parents died in a car accident when he was ten years old. He was in foster care until he aged out of the system. Poppy is named after his mom.”

Maddie instinctively knew talking about Lucas was, “You know you get along pretty well with Buck... I’ve never seen him so flustered.”

“Maddie, I can tell you are a very intelligent woman, but you’re wrong here. Why would a guy like Buck be interested in a pregnant woman with a reconciling relationship with her father and his Captain while grieving her baby’s dad?”

Maddie tilted her head to the side, “Because I know my brother. He’s only ever had that look when I first moved to LA. Back when Abby was still important to him.”

“We’ll just have to agree to disagree.”

Maddie’s mouth opened to speak, but you were saved by the bell when Athena called you over for pictures. Then her attempts got thwarted once more when the 118 returned to the house perfectly synced to the end of shift.

“Driving here was the last time until the baby’s here. You’ve got precious cargo-”

“I’m seven months pregnant; I can still drive. There’s no law saying I can’t-”

Never argue with Athena Grant-Nash, “It may not be illegal, but I won’t endanger my daughter or my granddaughter.”

“I have to get to my OB/GYN appointment tomorrow. You and Dad each have a long shift during my scheduled appointment. Harry is both too young to drive and in school. May has a shift at dispatch. There’s literally no one available to take me.”

Bobby watched as two of the most important women in his life argued over something as trivial as driving. Harry shook at listening to someone fighting against his mother; she could be terrifying.

“I can take her.”

Everyone in the fir house turned to the voice who’d offered suddenly and found the sheepish form of a tall firefighter. Eddie’s eyebrows raised at his best friend.

“I don’t work tomorrow. I’ve got no plans. Albert’s got some date with a girl at her place.”

“I couldn’t put you out.”

“You need a ride, and I’ll be bored, so why not take my new friend to her baby doctor.”

“Baby doctor?” Hen parroted to her wife in astonishment towards her coworker and close friend. Both the women found the blatant flirting from Buck to the soon to be mother.

“She’ll take you up on the offer. She’s staying in our guest room. Come early for breakfast before you go. We’ll be having waffles.”

Buck found any excuse to visit the Grant-Nash home with the motive to hang out with you ever since the baby shower. From delivering baked goods from your favourite bakery to insisting on driving you to appointments. Didn’t matter if Athena or Bobby could take you; Buck was adamant he drove you.

The friendship was easy going and very natural, like a ball glove still moulded perfectly to your hand. The hangouts in your home evolved to weekly visits to restaurants with guidelines to the current event happening worldwide. 

Ultimately it even led to a test date.

“You look breathtaking.” Buck breathlessly informed you once he’d gently pushed your chair closer to the table.

“Thank you.” You kindly responded despite thinking the complete opposite to the charming man sitting across from you.

Athena and May had helped you get ready for the date with calming words on how going on a date so far into the pregnancy was okay. Then, your father had tentatively inserted himself with sage advice on re-entering the dating scene.

“I thought we could grab some ice cream after,” Buck spoke up as soon as the waiter had taken your drink order. Buck had decided to refrain from alcohol and went with glasses of lemonade and water.

“You shouldn’t say that. I’ll just want ice cream.” You snickered, caressing the taut belly you’d grown to love. In fact, the firm push of a heel announced Poppy’s agreement with ice cream as dessert.

“How is Poppy?”

“The doc says she’s right on track. Healthy all around and in the position, she’s supposed to be at this stage.” Buck adored the affectionate smile that always appeared when the topic of your pregnancy was brought up.

“That’s amazing! Bobby gushes about you and Poppy. The fridge has an entire door dedicated to sonograms of Poppy. Even a few from that maternity shoot Hen and Maddie surprised you with.”

A few weeks had passed since the baby shower the 118 had surprised you with. Maddie had announced her pregnancy to the joy of the chosen family she had. Bobby had put together a crib he had painted. Michael, Athena’s ex-husband, had started making plans for adding on to the house for a room for the baby.

Despite informing the architect, you planned on moving out when you had saved enough, he’d made a sound argument. Athena would want a place for the baby to stay when you visited, or the woman demanded to babysit.

Now you found yourself in a National forest not far from Los Angeles, posing in front of nature. A surprise photoshoot Hen and Karen had organized with Karen’s brother Trey. Maddie and Athena had been the ones who drove you.

“Hold the teddy bear on your bump,” Trey informed you from behind his professional and intimidating camera. The photographer praised you in the rapid movement to listen to his offer.

“Hey! Maddie! You should take a few photos. I need a pee break.” You didn’t wait for Maddie to respond in your rush to the somewhat rustic bathroom hut.

By the time you returned, Maddie was taking a couple pictures. Then you took some with Athena to have on the nursery walls and for Bobby to have a photo for his desk.

“Now one with all three of you.”

Present

“So a daredevil.” You stated unsurprised that the firefighter had a history of recklessness. You don’t go into firefighting without a taste for danger.

“The bruises and blood fit better than the awful bleached hair during my time in Peru.” Buck laughed, recalling the questionable choice in his fashion pre-firefighting. Sometimes he missed the people he encountered in his period of self-discovery.

“You didn’t wear puka sh-”

“I did. Bleached hair, puka shells and Hawaiian shirts were my staples during my bartending years. I fit in with the aesthetic of the bar I tended.”

“Buck!” You nearly gasped at his raw honesty. Buck didn’t hold back any answers to your questions, but you each strayed from the topic of family.

Talking about the tragic family history wasn’t a good idea on the first time regardless of the time you’d known each other.

“You’re telling me-” Buck halted as soon as he caught the flash of discomfort flicker over your beautiful features, “Are you okay?”

“She shifted. Been sitting on my blad-” You cut yourself off with a hiss of pain. Buck’s eyes widened at the pain taking over your features, “Oh, that hurt.”

Buck went straight into work mode, “Have you been in pain for long?”

“No. A few cramps here and there today, but my doctor said it was nothing to worry about.” You informed the experienced first responder resting level to your knees.

Buck didn’t want to say it, but he was sure that you’d gone into early labour. There was no indication your water had broken, but he kept over the last hour together. Every once in a while, you shifted or pressed a hand to your bump.

“Has your water broken?”

You shook your head, “No, but...oh... that’s not a cramp.”

With that statement out, you clenched your fingers tight on the edge of the table as pain rippled in your belly. A contraction that stole your breath momentarily. In your contraction, Buck had dialled 911. Buck recalled that sometimes a woman’s water doesn't break until right before the birth.

“We’re not getting that ice cream, are we?” You snorted upon being lifted onto the gurney. How fortunate or unfortunate you were to have the 118 right there.

Hen had taken a position at your feet to check on your lower body while Chimney took your vital signs. You honestly didn’t like the look Hen and Chimney shared with Buck.

“What is it?”

“We’re gonna need to deliver here.” Hen sighed, giving you the facts that terrified you. When you envisioned having the baby, it was in a medical centre. Not in a restaurant.

“My office is large and away from the crowd if you want. I can show you the way.” Sophie, the restaurant manager, offered already starting to lead the way. Sophie would never know how thankful you felt for being able to have privacy.

“Okay, Y/N, is it okay if I check how dilated you -.” Hen breathed with her hand, gently disappearing until the thin blanket Chimney procured from the stocked ambulance, “Y/N when I saw I want you to do that.”

Hen didn’t need to check your dilation when she could see the baby’s head already.

“I’m right here.” Buck cooed in your ear. He had held your hand as his coworkers did their jobs around you.

“This isn’t the way I envisioned you seeing my pu-”

“Push.” Hen urged, cutting off your almost vulgar language, but it eased the tension in the small restaurant office. You couldn’t even see Buck’s flustered reaction as you bore down with the contraction, “Good! Take a breath.”

“You’re a strong woman. It never ceases to amaze me the strength women have.” Buck spoke, keeping your e/c eyes on his blue ones. His hand raised to push a strand of your sweaty hair off your temple.

“Once more push!” Hen called out just in time with the last contraction. The feeling of the pressure between your legs popping was moan inducing.

Poppy was silent. Your entire body froze, yearning for the sweet sound of crying instead of the eerie silence. The world stood still as Chimney worked on your baby girl.

“Pulse is strong,” Chimney announced, keeping his attention on the task of clearing Poppy’s throat and nose. And that sweet sound of crying commenced, “Congratulations Y/N, you have a beautiful baby girl. Let’s get you to the hospital.”

Your father beat the ambulance to the nearest ER in pure anticipation at meeting his granddaughter Poppy Nash Gowan. He barely noticed as Buck stuck to your side like glue. Bobby waited outside the door as you got checked over in the room.

“Quite the first date.” You mused towards Buck, who hovered in awe over the life form you had carried for nine months. You’d been pregnant for three quarters of an entire year to his fascination. 

“All my meaningful relationships started with a medical emergency.” Buck finally looked up at you. He’d kept Poppy company in the bassinet while you delivered the afterbirth upon entering the hospital.

“Seriously?”

“Had a tracheostomy on Valentine’s Day with Abby, an earthquake with Ali and a newscaster in a crashed helicopter.” Buck listed off. He hadn’t even noticed scooping the newborn into his arms until he’d sat in the chair by your bed, “Why not add a sudden labour and delivery.”

“He would have liked you.”

The sentence came out of absolutely nowhere. Almost like something had ripped it out of your vocal cords. At the look of confusion, you elaborated.

“Lucas. He would have liked you. I think if it is possible, he might have pushed me into meeting you. I’ll still need to take it slow, but I’d like to give this a shot.”

That was all Buck needed to lean in closer to kiss you—the first of many kisses.

Some might disagree on how quick your relationship with Buck developed, but they didn’t know yours at all. It was natural with the firefighter who stepped into the role of father figure for a growing Poppy. By the time Poppy was one, you’d moved into a house not far from your father’s place with Buck. By the time Poppy was three, a pretty ring had sat on your finger. By five, the young girl had a baby brother. 

“Your parents spoil Poppy.”

“You say that like you didn’t crawl into her crib during her afternoon naps.” You deadpanned towards your husband. Buck had the nerve to sheepishly grin, “You give in each time she says ‘pwetty pwease’ for a cookie.”

“It’s a crime to make her sad!” Buck defended himself, but a grin of amusement threatened his act, “Besides, you crack each time too!”

“Mhm. Just wait until Theo can talk.” You pressed a kiss to the sleeping infant strapped into the baby carrier. Theodore Robert Buckley could fall asleep in a thunderstorm if he was in Buck’s arms.

“Oh! Maddie wants to have Poppy over for a play date. Madster’s been begging for her cousin to have a sleepover.”

Maddie and Chimney’s daughter was only a few months younger than your daughter, but the two were thick as thieves. Buck had referred to the Han daughter as Madster with how similar her mannerisms were to her mother.

“Think they’d take the rascal?”

“Is this code for you wanting to have another?” Buck questioned with a twinkle of mischief in his blue eyes. The same blue Theo had inherited along with a birthmark like Buck’s on his bicep.

“I-” You choked, blinking furiously, “Evan, I pushed Theo out of my body barely three months ago!”

Buck inconspicuously winked in response with the sudden scream of excitement coming from Poppy. The rambunctious five-year-old ploughed into Buck’s legs full force. Falling into the practised ease, you’d unstrapped Theo from Buck’s chest and promptly had his tiny body stolen into his grandpa’s arms.

“There’s my boy.” Bobby cooed to the sleep drunk tiny infant. The little baby is crowded by his Gram Athena and Aunt May, “Gonna have to get you a Minnesota Wilds jersey.”

“Hell no. That boy is LA born and bred. He’ll be wearing a Kings jersey like the civilized.” Michael announced with the sudden arrival of Theo and Poppy’s Uncle Harry.

“Mommy? When are we going to Stralia?” Poppy inquired from right beside your leg. Her tiny handheld is the giant one of her dad.

“In a few weeks. Are you excited to see the mommy’s old friends again?”

“Hm. Can we see Dada?”

Buck may be Poppy’s father, but he’d never let Poppy go without knowing she had two fathers in all. Her first one waiting to meet here decades from the time she was born and solely referenced Lucas as Dada. Buck was grateful for the man who brought Poppy into existence; the little green-eyed tot Buck could never regret. Unlike Buck’s parents keeping his older brother’s existence a secret, the firefighter refused to follow in their footsteps. He’d continue to shower the late Lucas in gratitude and respect. He refused to make the same mistakes as Phillip and Margaret Buckley.

“Of course. C’mon Poppy, time to say goodbye.” Buck guided the little girl to the extended family showering her little brother with love. The little girl was quickly swung into Bobby’s arms, and Athena cooing at your infant son.

Changes. The six-letter word doesn’t have to be terrifying. It can be breathtaking, memorable and beautiful to experience. 

Tag List(s):  (PLEASE SEND AN INBOX TO BE ADDED! I CANNOT GUARANTEE YOU WILL BE ON THE LIST VIA POST COMMENTS!)

9-1-1 Taglist:

@julessbrown 

Julie and the Phantoms Taglist:

#evan buckley imagines #evan buckley #evan buckley x reader #evan buckley x fem!reader #evan buckley oneshot #911 imagines #911 oneshots #oliver stark #evan buck buckely #evan buckley x y/n #evan buckley x you #caitsy and ash productions

[autumnsart22]

Oikawa x reader: Final chapter

Last chapter everyone! Thank you so much if you made it this far, I really appreciate all the likes it makes me so happy if people enjoy it. Love you all 💕💕

Three months later: 

I sat on my bed, fist curled around the letter in my hand. I felt numb, my lips trembling as shock and disappointment seeped down to my bones. I had ended up applying to four large art schools in Japan, not telling my parents about my plans. 

But now...I stared at the crumpled rejection letter in my hand. It had been my second choice, and one of the easier ones to get into. I had sent a portfolio of my best artwork, and with Oikawa and Iwaizumi’s encouragement, I had actually begun to think I could get in. 

Lip trembling, I slowly placed the letter aside and grabbed my phone, dialing before I could think. It was already 1am, but I didn’t hesitate as I began to sob. 

Oikawa answered on the second ring, his voice light over the other end. “Hey Chibi-chan, what’s up?”

I couldn’t speak, not even feeling embarrassed as I sobbed into the receiver. 

“Y/n, what’s wrong?” His voice turned instantly serious and urgent. “Did something happen?”

“I-I-” I blubbered. “I didn’t-”

I heard shuffling over the other end. “Are you at home?”

“Y-yes.” 

“I’ll be there in ten minutes. Stay on the phone ok?”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Thanks, Oikawa,” I whispered, tears still sliding down my cheeks. 

He talked the whole drive, telling me about the alien movie he had seen the other night, and the meteor shower that was coming up. By the time he was in front of my house, I was giggling a little bit. 

The second I unlocked the door for him, he stepped over the threshold and dragged me into a hug. I buried my face in his chest, new tears streaming down my face and covering his shirt with snot. 

“Hey, it’s ok,” Oikawa murmured, stroking my hair. “Come on, let’s get you upstairs.”

I clutched his shirt as we walked up the stairs together, and when we made it to my room, he tugged me onto the bed and hugged me tightly. “What’s wrong?” 

I slowly reached over to the bedside table and handed him the crumpled letter. “I--I didn’t get in.” 

Oikawa read it quickly, his eyes hard. “Chibi-chan…” He leaned over and hugged me, practically squeezing the air from my lungs. “It’s ok. You only got rejected from one, and there’s three more to go. It doesn’t matter.”

“But I wasn’t...I wasn’t good enough--” 

“You’re totally perfect. Your art is amazing, and those fuckers didn’t deserve you anyway.” 

I hugged him, my fingers digging into his shirt. “Ok.” 

He laughed a little. “You’re amazing.” 

I tilted my head back to look at him. “Stop,” I poked him, laughing. “You’re just being ridiculous.” 

“Nope, I’m serious.” 

I hugged him around the waist, letting out a low sigh. “If I’m incredible, then you are too.” 

I felt him shrug. “If you say so, Chibi-chan.” 

I began to tickle him, and he shrieked, falling back. “HAHAHA NO STOP!” 

He wrapped me around the waist and pulled me on top of him, preventing me from tickling him but effectively causing me to be tangled up in his arms, inches from his face. I paused for a long moment, wishing wishing wishing, but he wasn’t interested in me like that. If I made a move, I would ruin our friendship and make things awkward. It was better to just enjoy things how they were now, no matter how much it hurt. 

        ✨✨✨✨

“What time are we leaving?” I glanced over my shoulder at Kiyoko, pausing my makeup application. 

“Twenty minutes! Are you ready?”

“Yeah, pretty much. You?”

“Mhm!” Her smokey eyeshadow made her eyes look catlike and hot, and her booty shorts hugged her legs. 

“Damn girl!” I grinned, and she laughed. 

Atsumu and Osamu Miya were throwing a house party, and Kiyoko and I had gotten invited through friends. 

I tugged my tube top over my head, hiking my jeans up and tugging my hair into a messy bun. It was simple, but apparently the house party was supposed to be pretty casual. 

Kiyoko and I pulled up in front of the house, which was already pounding with music and crowded with people. I followed my friend inside, instantly surrounded by drunk and high people, dancing wildly around the room. 

“Ugh, I need a drink.” Kiyoko said, and I laughed. 

“Ok, I’ll see you in a bit. I’m going to try and find Aoba Johsai.” 

She gave me a thumbs up, and disappeared into the crowd. 

I began my search, scanning the many people standing around and sitting on couches, looking for a familiar face. I spotted Iwaizumi after ten minutes, sitting in an armchair with Matsuwaka, Hanamaki, and Yahaba around him. 

“Hey guys,” I grinned, taking a seat next to Hanamaki. 

“Want some?” Yahaba held up a joint. I grinned and nodded, lighting the end and taking a fat hit. 

The rest of Aoba Johsai joined over the course of the hour, bringing over more weed, cigarettes, and alcohol. I ended up getting so crossfaded, I could barely speak, and ended up just listening and laughing along to my friends’ conversations. 

It didn’t take long for me to have to go to the bathroom really bad, after all the drinks I had passed through to my bladder. “I-bathroom-” I slurred, stumbling to my feet and making my way in the direction of the bathroom. 

It took a lot longer than I expected, since I got distracted a few times. First by Bokuto, who dragged me off to play a round of beer pong, before I failed so badly that he kicked me off the team. The second time was because I spotted Karasuno and hung out with them for a little, almost peeing my pants when Kageyama tried to take a shot of whiskey and ended up spitting it everywhere.

I finally made it to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face and laughing at my haggard appearance. Damn, I looked horrendous. 

After a few minutes, I heard a knock on the door. “Hey, Y/n-chan, are you in there?” 

“Oikawa?” I opened the bathroom door, blinking blearily at the setter. “What are you doing here?”

“Have you been in here this whole time? You’ve been gone for over an hour.”

“Oh,” I began to giggle, hand over my mouth. “No, I just got here.”

“Well thank god you didn’t get kidnapped or something.” He rolled his eyes and smirked. “Damn, you’re really fucked up.”

I shrugged. “Nawwww, not really.” I totally was. 

I gazed at him for a long moment, my eyes moving along his face. His hair was messy and sticking up every which way, his shirt was rumpled, and his eyes were red and glassy, but I had never seen a more attractive person. 

“Oikawa…” I let out a long sigh, fists clenching. I wanted to tell him. I bit my lip and turned to face him, suddenly determined. I finally was going to say what I had been thinking for months.

 “I think I’m in love with you.”  

The setter blinked, his brain clearly not completely there. “W-wait what?” 

My thoughts were catching up to my actions, my sober mind realizing what I had just done. Oh...fuck no. “I-I-” 

“What--” He looked blindsided, as if he had been slapped. Oh god, he wasn’t saying anything. 

Bile rose in my throat so fast, I thought I was going to choke. Instead, I slapped a hand over my mouth and stumbled from the bathroom, needing to get away from the words I wished I could take back. Hadn’t I JUST promised myself I wouldn’t confess? 

I heard him behind me, telling me to wait, but I half sprinted, half careened back into the crowd. Kiyoko, where was Kiyoko? She’d know what to do. 

I spotted Karasuno after only a moment, and I thanked the lord for my luck. 

“Oh god, please hide me, please. I just fucked up so bad,” I gasped. 

Daichi, Tsukki, Asahi, Kageyama, Yamaguchi, and Hinata blinked at me in shock, but Kiyoko moved to help me. 

“What’s going on?” She whisper shouted as she forced Asahi to give up his large sweatshirt. 

“I just accidentally confessed to Oikawa,” I murmured, feeling tears threaten. I pulled on the jacket, tugging the hood up over my head. “I need to get out of here, I feel like I’m going to pass out if I don’t.” 

“Calm down with the dramatics,” Tsukki said, but scanned the room, clearly keeping an eye out for Oikawa to see if he was nearby. 

“I’m sober, I can drive you home,” Daichi said. “I wanted to get going anyway.”

“Y/n, you confessed what?” Hinata asked, and I went red. Kageyama looked shocked, and Yamaguchi smiled sweetly. 

“He’s coming this direction!” Asahi said, and Hinata leapt to his feet without hesitation. 

“Great King!” He ran and jumped in Oikawa’s path, preventing Seijoh’s captain from noticing me. 

“Hey short fry, I’m looking for Y/n-chan. Have you seen her?”

Dachi grabbed my arm, practically dragging me from the party as I heard Hinata continuing to distract Oikawa behind us. 

“Thank you for doing this,” I said to Daichi, who grinned. 

“I can’t believe you told him you liked him.” 

“I--” I could barely say it. “I told him I loved him, actually.”

Daichi looked momentarily shocked. “Oh--wow ok.”

My lower lip trembled. “He didn’t...say anything.” 

“Just blame it on the alcohol!” 

I sighed, leaning my head back against the passenger seat. “I don’t know if that will work.” 

Oikawa POV: 

I think I’m in love with you. 

I had imagined her saying those exact words so many times, knowing it would never actually come true. How could this be real? When she had said it, my mind had gone blank. I didn’t understand. Was she kidding? Did she mistake me for someone else? Being high didn’t particularly help, and by the time I had processed her words, she was already stumbling from the bathroom and disappearing. 

No, I needed to find her. I had to tell her…

Y/n POV: 

27 missed calls from Oikawa. 

“What?” I muttered, glaring at my phone. That couldn’t be right. I buried my face in my pillow, embarrassment making my face burn red. Daichi had dropped me off two hours ago, and I hadn’t stopped receiving calls for the entirety of that time. I had considered answering the phone a few times, but forced myself not to. This conversation had to take place face to face. 

It was Saturday, which meant that I had all of Sunday to come to terms with the rejection that was probably coming my way. I was sure after that Oikawa wouldn’t let me avoid him anymore. 

Obviously, that was easier said than done. I researched “10 Ways to Get over a Guy,” and “Methods for Self Love” but it seemed the two biggest ways to help were distance and time, neither of which I had. Instead, I would have to just toughen myself up. 

Monday came, and I did the best I could to avoid Oikawa. I didn’t talk to Iwaizumi either, quite sure that he knew of what had happened. Instead, I kept my head down, skipped the class I had with Oikawa, and ate lunch in my car. 

Unfortunately, as I expected, it didn’t last. 

I ended up being late to my last class of the day, since my previous teacher had to discuss an assignment with me and kept me over time. The halls were empty as I speed walked across the school, exhaustion weighing heavy. I considered just ditching, but I had already skipped one class, and I didn’t want to rack that number up. 

As I got to the end of the hall, I heard the sound of someone running behind me. Before I could turn around, a hand grabbed me around the wrist and wanked me into an empty side classroom. 

“What the--” 

A hand went gently over my mouth, silencing me, and I blinked in shock as I stared into Oikawa’s brown eyes. 

“Finally found you,” he panted. 

“What are you doing?” I mumbled around his hand. 

“You’ve been avoiding me all weekend.”

I looked away, feeling my face flush. “N-no, I was just busy.” 

His eyes narrowed. “Right.” 

I shoved his hand away and wiped my mouth, glancing towards the door. 

Oikawa’s hand slammed next to my head, effectively blocking my exit with his arm. “Where are you going?”

My breath shuddered out in a loud huff. “No where.” 

He tilted his head, leaning towards me. “What did you mean on Saturday night at the party?” “Huh?” I decided that playing stupid was the best course of action for now. 

With the hand that wasn’t blocking my exit, Oikawa grabbed my chin and lifted it so I was forced to look into his eyes. “Did you mean it?” I was blushing so much, I felt like my skin was probably boiling. “I was drunk I-I don’t know what--I don’t want this to ruin our friendship--just forget it--” 

“Tell me the truth, Chibi-chan.” 

I opened my mouth. 

“I-I love you.” 

Oikawa’s eyes widened, his mouth parting as his cheeks flamed. “You--”

He paused, both of his hands coming to cup my cheeks. I bit my lip, trying to pull away, my embarrassment eating me up inside. 

“Just forget it, it’s not--” I gasped as Oikawa’s lips crashed against mine, effectively silencing me. My eyes drifted shut and I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer as his mouth moved down to my neck, his hands sliding around my waist. 

He pulled away, eyes wide. His fingers ran along my cheekbone and he crushed me in a hug. “I-I’m so happy! I didn’t think...” He laughed. 

I stared at him, my brain slightly short circuited. “Wha--” He leaned down, eyes intense and a small smile on his face. “I love you Chibi-chan, so much.” 

I blinked a few times, before I began to giggle hysterically. Oikawa brushed the hair away from my face and kissed me again, making my head spin. His lips were so soft, and I tugged my hands through his hair, making a small noise as his tongue moved across my bottom lip. 

Suddenly the school bell rang, signalling that we were officially late, and I jumped violently away from Oikawa. 

“What about class?” I asked, still on a weird high and feeling slightly delirious. 

Oikawa huffed a laugh, running a hand through his now-tossled hair. “I guess I’m out of practice with my kissing.” 

“Huh?” I was confused, because he definitely wasn’t…

He leaned down, nose brushing mine. “If you’re thinking about class at a time like this, I clearly have to do better.”

I opened my mouth, my heart practically beating out of my chest. “Do better?” 

Oikawa’s smile turned smug, and he poked my cheek. “You’re so cute! But you’re right, we should probably go to class.” He pulled away, leaving my legs shaking and face red. 

“What? But you just said--”

“Woah, are you saying you want to prioritize me over your education?”

I glared at him, rolling my eyes. “Ugh, can I take back my earlier statement about loving you?”

Oikawa smiled bright as the sun, and he hugged me tightly. “I’ll see you after class.” 

      ✨✨✨✨

Chemistry was one of the longest two hours of my entire life. By the time the bell rang, I was so jittery that I couldn’t keep my hands still. I practically ran out the door, hitching my bag on my shoulder as I went. 

The hall was crowded as I waded towards the door, but I spotted Oikawa outside almost immediately, his eyes scanning the groups of people as they walked by. I instantly felt my face split open into a smile, and I ran over to him. 

“Oikawa!”

He spun around, happiness lighting up his features. 

“Y/n-chan!” He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me into a tight hug. 

I smiled up at him. “How was your class?” “Uhhhh…” Iwaizumi emerged from the crowd, eyebrows raised as he took in Oikawa and I’s close proximity. “Is there something…”

“Iwa-chan!” Oikawa practically bounced over to his friend. “Y/n loves me!” 

I felt my face growing red, and Iwaizumi blinked. “Ok, cool. That took a while.” 

“Huh?” 

He rolled his eyes. “Forget it. I’m glad you guys finally figured it out.” 

Oikawa threw his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side, and I felt myself relax. I didn’t know I could be so happy. 

1 month later (this is not the actual official canon outcome in the show, but I changed it for my own story): 

“Go go go go go Seijoh!” 

“Go go go go go Seijoh!” 

Oikawa spun the ball in his hands, preparing for his serve. I could see the sweat glistening on his forehead, proof of the exhaustion that the whole team felt. 

It was the third and final set of spring nationals against Shiritorizawa and Ushijima. Aoba Johsai was playing the best I had ever seen, all of our hard work finally paying off. Shiritorizawa was the best team in the prefecture though, and they didn’t disappoint. Both teams had won one set, and we were now neck and neck in the final one. 

Even though I wasn’t out on the court, my heart raced and my fingers shook as I cheered on my team. I was so proud of them, even if they didn’t win. 

Oikawa slammed a vicious serve, gaining our team another point, but the next one was received and set spiralling into the air. 

“Chance ball!”

Watari received it, and Hanamaki sent it in Oikawa’s direction. 

“Iwaizumi!” 

Iwa was already in the air as Oikawa set it to him, and I gasped as the ball slammed through the hands of the blockers and hit the floor on the other side of the net. 

“YES!!!” I screamed, looking at the score board. We were so close to winning…

My heart in my throat, I watched as Ushijima scored a point for Shiritorizawa, but then Hanamaki took one back for us. 

One more point. We just needed one more. 

Shiritorizawa was up to serve, and the ball moved so fast I could barely keep up. Watari, then Iwaizumi, then Oikawa, then Kunimi with a quick attack. The spike was received and sent spiralling, before Shiritorizawa set it and slammed it towards us again. 

I was on my feet, screaming, completely losing my composure. “Get it! Get it!” 

Matsukawa jumped, impossibly getting his hand beneath the ball before it could hit the ground. Oikawa was already moving, running and jumping outside the court in a long set towards Iwaizumi. 

The ace jumped as if in slow motion, his arm coming down in a vicious spike, and I gasped as his hand barely tapped it. The opposing team didn’t seem to expect the soft spike either, because no one was close to the net to pick it up. They were jumping, falling, reaching for the ball but…

The satisfying thump of the ball on the court seemed to echo, and for a long moment, there was utter silence. 

“WE WON!” I screamed, and the stadium erupted. I sprinted towards Oikawa, who crushed me in a hug and spun me around. He was all sweaty, but I didn’t care as he crashed his lips to mine. 

“Tooru, Tooru you did it!” I yelled, squeezing him with all my might. 

“I did it…” He stared at me, shock on his face. “I did it!” 

The rest of the team clustered around us, yelling and hugging each other, slamming each other on the back. Kindaichi and Iwaizumi were sniffling, and most of the others looked either completely aghast or blissed out. 

I glanced over at the other team, watching Ushijima and the rest of his teammates clap each other on the back, shoulders slumped in disappointment. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity for them. 

Ushijima turned to look at me, and we met eyes. I gave a strained smile, trying to convey an apology in my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulders, and Oikawa spun me around, kissing me again. 

“Oikawa!” I said breathlessly as he pulled away. He was looking past me towards Ushijima, a challenge in his gaze, and I punched him in the stomach. “Don’t start that again.”

Oikawa laughed and hugged me again. “I can’t believe we won.” 

“I can. You guys are an amazing team, I’m so proud. I knew you could do it.” 

My boyfriend leaned down, lips pressed to my ear. “Are you doing anything tomorrow?”

I glanced at him in surprise. “No, why?”

He smirked, eyes dark. “Because you’re not going to be able to walk in the morning.” 

✨✨✨✨

“Tooru, guess what?!” I practically yelled into my phone. 

“What?!” “I got in!” The letter was laid out on my bed, its polite words burning into my mind. It was my dream school, the one I never expected to get into. “I got into the Art and Design University of Tokyo!” 

“Oh my god, that’s fucking amazing!” Oikawa sounded almost just excited as me. “Holy shit, sweetheart, you’re going to be in art school!” 

“I know!” I jumped up and down on my bed, laughing. 

Oikawa was going to play volleyball for Japan’s team (not canon) and I was going to become a graphic designer like I wanted. We could get an apartment by Iwaizumi, who was going to a school only an hour away. 

I giggled, feeling giddy. “I love you, Tooru.”

“I love you too, Y/n-chan.” 

The End~

Chapter 14

#oikawa #oikawa tooru #haikyuu oikawa #oikawa fic #oikawa fanart #fanfiction #fandom #fanfic #haikyuu!! #haikyū!! #haikyu x reader #fluff #oikawa fluff

[star-spangledstud]

Better Than Me (2/2)

Part one is here!

Summary: You really are better than them. 

Pairing: Steve Rogers x (female!)Reader.

Word Count: 3000-ish.

Warnings: Angst. Fluff.

It was ridiculous. So ridiculous that it bordered near downright insane. Absolutely fucking ridiculous. Impractical, stupid and completely, utterly ridiculous. Beautiful, sparkly and downright amazing, but ridiculous. You fucking loved it.

The baby pink, bejeweled handgun sat inside a pink velvet box on your lap. The bow, which was also pink, of course, was lying at your feet, which were clad in bedazzled silver Louboutins. Gems of all colors on the rainbow covered it on all sides, from the barrel to the handgrip and along the safety pin.

You gazed up at Tony, who wore an amused expression on his face, before glancing over at Pepper. She had her hand over her mouth in embarrassment, clearly horrified by Tony’s gift choice. The card read that it was from both of them. Clearly, that wasn’t the case. 

“Happy birthday, kid.” He said with a smirk that nearly extended from ear to ear.

“I don’t even want to know how much you spent on that,” Pepper muttered, shaking her head while you took the thing out of the pink and white polka-dotted tissue paper.

The others sighed audibly when you smiled, annoyed that Tony’s gift overshadowed theirs yet again. To be fair, they’d all expected it, but all of them secretly hoped any one of their gifts would be your favorite. 

“I love it,” you said, twirling the weapon around in your hand, “and I agree with Pepper, I can’t even imagine how much you spent on this thing...”

“You’ll make it work,” he mused, “Two million dollars, by the way, and you could just thank me.”

Your breath caught in your throat and for a moment, you were sure Pepper was going to faint. Natasha shook her head, watching the scene unfold in horror. It was the ugliest thing she had ever seen. Wanda, who seemed to share none of her feelings, had created a monster out of you.

“Thanks, Tony,” you blew him a kiss, unable to get up from your seat at the dinner table that was covered in white roses in silver vases and wine that came from expensive bottles.

“It’s very pretty,” the witch said, “Can I hold it?” 

“Please,” you shoved it into her hands, “by all means.” 

“You’re insane, Tony,” you said as you took the gift Bruce had gotten for you from his outstretched hands with a smile, “Absolutely fucking nuts, but I love you for it.”

Your eyes went around the room, finding Steve at the end of the table of which you sat at the head. You were the birthday girl, after all, the pink satin sash draped around you said so in large, cursive letters and so it was your turn to have the most important seat of the house. It was a ridiculous ordeal, he thought so anyway, but you were smiling and chatting and enjoying the company of your friends and it was good to see. He couldn’t remember the last time that had happened and knew very well he was to blame. 

He was the one who pushed you away, even though it was for your own good.

You took Thor’s gift just as the waiter began to serve your first course, and since he was seated closest to you, you thanked him with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Steve’s gift came last. You didn’t expect anything from him given the circumstances.

Four hours, six courses and many glasses of wine and Asgardian mead later, you found yourself back in your room. Gifts given to you by your fellow team members were sprawled out on your bed, ranging from a pair of silk pajamas with glittery Ugg slippers to match from Wanda to Starbucks and Sephora gift cards from Sam and everything in between. Chocolate covered strawberries in a glittery box, two romance novels, a bottle of beautifully aged red wine from Asgard and a peach-toned Dior lipstick, all tokens of appreciation given to you by the people you cared about the most. 

Despite the hardships that you faced the previous year and the social distancing that occurred during that time, you couldn’t deny how good it felt to be with the team again. You’d changed a lot in a year, grown to be a different person than the one you were before. It wasn’t necessarily a good or a bad thing in your mind, it just happened naturally.  

You sat down beside the velvet box, eyes automatically flying towards the item on your far left. A drawing of you, sitting on a terrace, staring out into the sunny skyline with a cup of coffee in your hand. It was an old drawing by the looks of it because your hair was much shorter and a different shade and your clothing was far plainer than it was now; black jeans and a white t-shirt. A signature that read SR sat in the bottom right corner in messy, doctor-like handwriting. It made your toes curl. 

Of course, he was the one with the overly personal gift. You didn’t know whether it was because he simply had no fucking clue what 21st-century women liked to receive for their birthdays or whether he’d purposely done it to make you remember the day it was drawn, but the latter happened and now, you were sitting on your bed with prickling eyes and goosebumps that lined your skin.

You remembered that day very vividly. You’d only been an Avenger for three months and were struggling to adjust to the fact that you had to suddenly follow orders. Before joining the team, you’d worked alone, hired by people with deep pockets and dark intentions. You made your own rules. 

The first time Steve had taken you out for coffee he kind to offer you advice. At first, you thought it felt a little like he was trying to be the human resource manager with the way he talked to you, you continued to meet up every Saturday afternoon and as the weeks passed, something in the dynamic changed.  He loosened up, got rid of his Captain America persona and instead became Steve. You didn’t know what caused the change, but it was good, allowed you to actually get to know the man behind the suit and vice versa. 

That particular day was a good one, It was a sunny day in spring, not too hot and not too cold, with a soft breeze that carried the scent of fresh flowers across the terrace. You’d ordered a latte, Steve liked it black. You weren’t talking, but instead, a comfortable silence hung between you. You’d brought a book just like you always did and read it while occasionally eyeing the people that passed you by. Steve, whose cheeks had become fiery red out of the blue, pulled out a leather-bound sketchbook and began to draw.

You never asked him what he was drawing, even when he stored away his pencils and shoved the book back inside his tote did you not bother to pry. Not even when you became so close you’d sometimes fall asleep together on the couch, did you not ask. 

You knew now, but they didn’t say ignorance is bliss without reason.

You began to mindlessly pick at three layers of lavender toned sparkling nail polish, pulling at it as it came off your fingers with far too much ease. You’d paid the lady $60 for your manicure three days prior and now, you were ripping it off. With a deep sigh, you pushed yourself up, gripping the back of your heels so you could slip them off with ease. You’d probably never wear them again. 

You slowly began to clean up the mess, discarded packaging, boxes, and gift bags and placing them in the corner of your room near the door. You put everything away except for the drawing, which you couldn’t decide what to do with. Why was it such a big deal to you, anyway? You hardly spoke to Steve anymore and if you did, it was during pre- and post-mission briefings. Maybe that’s why it made you feel so strange. it didn’t feel right, such a personal, intimate gift after how far the two of you had drifted apart. 

He hadn’t asked you about Netflix in four months and you hadn’t offered your expertise on which shows and movies were the best. You didn’t bring him coffee anymore but instead, he made his own, never leaving enough in the pot for you to make a cup as well. The message he sent you was loud and clear and in return, you were an open book. 

He’d grumble when a stranger was seated at the breakfast table on Sundays courtesy of your hospitality, avert his eyes when they tried to kiss you openly (which you refused). The pang in his chest would hit him when he saw Ubers out front whose engines were running to carry you to your dates in high-end restaurants and fancy bars. He wasn’t jealous, he kept telling himself. He was just worried about your safety when you disappeared into the night with strange men. Men that weren’t him, ironically. 

He should’ve seen you when you were right in front of him. When you were there, literally waiting for him to make a move on you, begging him with your mannerisms and your looks, your glances, and smiles even when his jokes weren’t funny. He knew damn well you would make an amazing couple, that you could take on the entire fucking world as a duo, but he was too scared to put it on the line, too scared of what might happen once the bad guys caught a whiff of your relationship. They’d already tried to destroy Bucky and Jesus Christ, they nearly succeeded. He couldn’t handle the thought of losing you to an organization like HYDRA, or worse. He never told you this. You had no idea. You were convinced he didn’t want you because of your flaws. Because of who you were. 

You got over it, shut out the thought of ever holding hands with Steve in public, the thoughts of ever feeling his lips softly pressing against your plump cheeks and his body weighing down on top of you while his voice vibrated against your ear and neck. You managed to forget about him, managed to exchange the memories and fantasies of him for diamond necklaces, silk blazers, and expensive shoes. You traded him in for strangers with big bank accounts driving nice cars wearing expensive suits. They managed to fill the void he created by pushing you away. 

So yeah, the gift bothered you. It was too nice, too sweet, so sweet you had to struggle to stay stoic when thanking him earlier. You literally had to stop yourself from smiling too big, from allowing tears of gratitude and happiness to completely ruin your make-up. if things had been different, you would have done those things. They weren’t. He didn’t want you and now he was being nice. It didn’t make sense. 

Just as you were about to change into a different outfit for the evening, your phone vibrated. You picked it up off your nightstand and opened it. It was a text message, but not from the guy who would be knocking on the front door in the coming hour.

I didn’t get a chance to personally wish you a happy birthday. Can we talk? -S

You gripped the device so hard you nearly crushed the screen. Six months ago, a message like this would’ve had you crying on your bathroom floor for four hours. Now, it just made you angry. So angry, that you picked your studded Louboutin off the floor and chucked it at the wall. The heel broke off against the concrete, but you didn’t notice. You weren’t going to wear them again anyway.  

Your fingers typed furiously, breathing coming out in shallow huffs. Images of the girls he’d brought back to Tony’s party’s flashed before your eyes while your fingers went faster than your brain could keep up with. 

Roof. Omw. 

Whether he understood the abbreviation ‘omw’ or not, you didn’t take the time to guess. You left your room without changing into the other dress or putting on new shoes. The elevator went up agonizingly slowly, but it was too late to go back and take the stairs. The buttons were pushed and the door closed. 

He was standing by the edge, leaning against the railing with his arms crossed over his chest. In contrast to you, he had changed his attire, leaving the light blue button-down he was wearing earlier for a plain white t-shirt and black sweatpants. He looked down at your feet, noticed how your polished toes were bare and opened his mouth to say something, but closed it again when he caught the expression on your face. You weren’t surprised to find him there first. Hell, you wouldn’t be surprised if he’d come up there running. Apparently, though, he did know what ‘omw’ meant.

“What the hell is this?” You asked, waving your phone in front of his face, “what do you think you’re doing?” 

“What do you mean?” He asked, voice wavering. 

“What do I mean? What...,” you snorted, “What do you mean?! The gift, the talking? We shouldn’t be here.” 

“But why?” He knew why but chose to ignore the sensical part of his brain that told him he shouldn’t be doing this.

You lifted your arms, a deep breath leaving you while you considered what to say. You wanted to come up with an excuse, tell him you were busy or that you’d lost sight of not just him, but the entire team, but fuck it, lying wouldn’t get you anywhere. It had never gotten you anywhere before.  

“Because I have to get over you.” 

He was silent, taking in your words. They stung, even though he already knew the truth they carried. 

“I couldn’t have you constantly hanging around me anymore. I couldn’t stand seeing those girls hanging off your arm at those stupid parties and I sure as hell didn’t want to hear how fun they were and how great and wonderful and how amazing, and-”

He stepped forward, gripping your arms. The sudden contact made blood rush to your head, making you nauseous and dizzy simultaneously. 

 “I spent so much time wondering why they were better than me,” you mumbled, “I still haven’t figured it out.” 

“They aren’t better than you,” he replied softly, “they don’t even compare to you.” 

You looked up, eyes large and glossy and so goddamn pretty with that champagne eyeshadow and winged liner and Steve thought he was going to lose his mind then and there.

“I had to let you go because I’m afraid,” he admitted, “terrified of what might happen if anyone tries to get to you because of me.” 

“Steve,” you tried, but couldn’t find words. 

All this time, you thought he didn’t like you. That he wasn’t interested in you, didn’t want anything from you but a friendship at most. You’d taught yourself to ignore your constant desire for him because it would never be reciprocated.

“When you distanced yourself from me, I knew I’d messed up, but it was too late. I’d dug a hole for myself and there was nothing I could do to get back out,” he snorted, “I needed those girls as a distraction, but none of them are as good as you.” 

He smiled sadly, taking your hands in his larger, calloused palms and began to rub circles on your knuckles. 

“I’m sorry,” he sighed, “I’ve been stupid and an ass and I don’t deserve to even be in the same room as you. I fucked up, Y/N.”

The skin on the back of his neck was soft when you clasped your fingers around it, muscles tensing up when you began to pull him down to meet you. Without heels on, you’d lost a significant amount of height on him, causing him to tower over you. On a hot day, he could be your personal parasol, shielding you from the sun with his entire body.

“Idiot,” you mumbled before his mouth found yours. 

He kissed you, hands gripping your waist out of fear that if he were to let go, he’d wake up in his bed alone. But it wasn’t a dream, he knew it because the soft feeling of your glossy lips against his own was unlike anything he’d ever felt. 

“Idiot,” you said again when you took a moment to breathe. 

“I am,” he kissed you again, the sweet taste of Chardonnay and that night’s dessert - creme brulee and vanilla ice cream - still lingering on your tongue, sending his senses in complete overdrive. 

“I don’t want to stay away from you anymore,” he said finally, “I’d never let anyone hurt you.” 

You smiled, heart ready to explode from the sudden burst of happiness you experienced for the first time in a long time. Maybe Wanda was right all along. 

“Steve, I can defend myself. You know that, right?” You mused.

“I’ll kill them if they try.” 

He captured your lips with his again. The scent of his cologne, oud, and pine, nearly caused your knees to buckle from under you. You didn’t even realize the goosebumps that lined your skin, or the fact that the date you were supposed to meet up with had already bailed on you. It didn’t matter, because you finally had Steve where you wanted him. It only took for the two of you to drift apart almost completely for you to realize that you could never truly get away from one another. 

You placed your head on top of his chest, allowing his body heat to warm you up in a hug that engulfed you. It was nice, the feeling of his chest rising and falling slowly while you watched the city’s skyline in the dark. The want for it had been suppressed for so long you almost forgot what it felt like. 

“Steve?” You asked, peeking up at him through false eyelashes and three layers of waterproof mascara. 

“Hmm?”

“Your gift was my favorite.”

Yeah, all of those bitches definitely weren’t better than you. 

#steve rogers imagine #steve x reader #steve rogers imagines #steve rogers #marvel imagine #marvel smut #marvel #marvel writing #captain america imagine #captain america #captain america smut #captain america fic #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers smut #steve rogers fic #jammywrites #avengers imagine #avenger x reader

[halothenthehorns]

TLTNL- DRACO'S DETOUR

Lily nibbled on her lip for a moment before she could get started. She couldn't help it, everything Snape and Narcissa had talked about still weighed on her mind, but so far Harry's life was going quite well for once. She forced herself to remain focused on that as she began, the smile lingering causing the same in the rest of them.

Harry remained within the confines of the Burrow's garden over the next few weeks. He spent most of his days playing two-a-side Quidditch in the Weasleys' orchard (he and Hermione against Ron and Ginny; Hermione was dreadful and Ginny good, so they were reasonably well matched)

"That doesn't sound well matched at all," James ruffled his hair in confusion. "From what I heard, three are great, and Hermione has no clue what she's doing on a broom. What's reasonably matched about that?"

"Remember how Ron tends to get nervous," Harry tried hard to repress a chuckle, and was failing at it. "Well he fumbled a lot of Hermione's throws. He claimed he was going easy on her, but ah," he trailed off with a fond shake of his head, he knew Ron's faces well, and the look he sometimes got when she was the one throwing the play made him, well, throw the play.

and his evenings eating triple helpings of everything Mrs. Weasley put in front of him.

"I can't believe you've never gotten sick, going from so little food to so much," Remus muttered, not at all finding it a bad thing.

It would have been a happy, peaceful holiday had it not been for the stones of disappearances, odd accidents, even of deaths now appearing almost daily in the Prophet.

Lily sighed that her boy was having to experience the same kind of news they were now, it really had been a blessing they'd barely been able to enjoy it took this long.

Sometimes Bill and Mr. Weasley brought home news before it even reached the paper. To Mrs. Weasley's displeasure, Harry's sixteenth birthday celebrations were marred by grisly tidings brought to the party by Remus Lupin,

She would have normally stopped anyways to smile over at Remus reappearing on Harry's birthday, but for this particular instance she frowned instead and reread that bit. Not only was this the first birthday Remus was in attendance for, Merlin Sirius had never even managed that, there was no mention of him going out of his way to talk to Harry. In fact, the opposite, bringing such news along? She suddenly couldn't help but wonder if he really would abandon himself from Harry's life again. He certainly hadn't gone out of his way to show otherwise yet.

  who was looking gaunt and grim, his brown hair streaked liberally with gray, his clothes more ragged and patched than ever.

The boys, who had gone bright eyed at once for the news, looked as grim as if Sirius had been brought up again. The last thing they wanted to hear was their last remaining friend suffering even more hardships in life, yet clearly that's all he was getting.

His first announcement over birthday cake was more dementor attacks.

"Aren't you just full of fun information!" Sirius huffed.

"I'd take the cake back," James agreed.

Remus didn't even have it in him to make a face at them, they were entirely right. He wished he could put this away, tell it later when it mattered, prioritize on just having fun, but it wasn't at all hard to imagine the thought wouldn't even cross his mind at this point in the future.

Harry at least tried to offer, "maybe you were telling me then, because you knew Mrs. Weasley or anyone in the Order wouldn't let you later."

Lily still couldn't help but tisk, she didn't find it that relevant, but Remus at least looked cheered at the thought this could be put in any good light.

And they'd found Igor Karkaroff's body in a shack up north,

"I, honestly forgot about him," James blinked in surprise. Considering everything else that had gone on in Harry's fourth year, this guy seemed laughable at best looking back on him.

"How recent is this news? I'm stunned this hadn't happened already," Sirius rolled his eyes.

the Dark Mark set above his house. Lupin was honestly surprised it hadn't happened sooner than a year, Regulus Black had only lived a few days.

"Oh lookie there, were five for five! Anyone want to play some odds this'll come up every single chapter, now by Moony himself!" James mock cheered to hide his growing hysteria of that constantly being brought up.

"Technically he just mentioned Sirius' brother, not-" Harry broke himself off, he couldn't find anything good to say about that.

Sirius couldn't bring himself to say anything on the matter, that would never be something he'd have wanted to learn! He still didn't even know details of why his little brother had done it.

Mrs. Weasley tried to forcefully change the subject, but Bill only kept it rolling by informing Florean Fortescue's' shop was empty, dragged off by the look of the place.

"Bloody tragic future this is, attacking the ice cream," James tried for a smile that didn't at all work.

Ron asked why while Mrs. Weasley pointedly glared at Bill.

"I find this far more relevant than Karkaroff," Sirius sighed, though he honestly couldn't blame Molly, they heard enough about this without bringing it up themselves.

No one was sure, but he must've upset someone. Mr. Weasley added in Ollivander had vanished as well.

Harry rubbed at his temple hard, the harsh thump he felt for that couldn't be anything good, but he must be ridiculous. Why would he know anything more about this than what happened to Florean Fortescue?

Ginny was stunned, where would people go for wands now?

Lupin pointed out someone else,

"I didn't even know there were other makers in the country," Lily sighed.

"There aren't, that I know of anyways," James agreed. "People will have to travel really far for them, and that's a danger in itself in these times."

but Ollivander was the best, so it was a shame if the other side did have him.

"There's Moony, always keeping us on the important information," Sirius grumbled.

The day after this rather gloomy birthday tea, their letters and booklists arrived from Hogwarts. Harry's included a surprise: he had been made Quidditch Captain.

Lily had been reading so distracted because of all this, she almost glossed right past this detail.

James would never allow such a thing, the second that news registered he let out a great whoop of joy and jumped clean out of his seat, nearly taking Harry's head with him he'd wrapped him in such a tight hug moments before.

"Yes! This is the best news ever! I haven't been this excited since you were put on the team! I can't believe it! Yes I can, McGonagall knew there wasn't a better choice! I'm amazed you haven't had this spot since your fourth year! Oh I can't wait to hear about-"

Lily and Remus were both massaging their ears in protest as he somehow managed to shout even louder every passing moment, but he looked so jubilant it would feel cruel to tell him to stop.

Sirius wasn't acting any better, laughing so hard he seemed likely to run out of air soon and Harry looked so pleased with himself at their reactions it was like hearing about his first game all over again.

Lily waited patiently for them to run out, scratching Hickory on the chin in the meantime and trying to remember a certain Herbology plant that specialized in ear regrowth, they'd need one before all this was up for more reasons than her husbands happy shouts.

"Oh, I wish you were wearing it now, I know McGonagall had to pry mine away from me-"

"Prongs, if you don't settle down, then we'll never get to actually hear him doing anything with his captaincy. I know I'll never be able to hear properly again anyways, but still," Remus tried to patiently cut in.

"Leave him be Moony, this is the first thing he's had to celebrate in, maybe even since his first year. Since then, everything has been just as depressing as it was an accomplishment for the pup."

"Thanks Sirius," Harry told him with a torn expression of whether he was supposed to be laughing at that one.

Lily still took their momentary distraction as an opportunity to keep going, though James was still so jazzed he honestly looked like he regretted taking his seat for now.

Hermione congratulated he could now use the Prefects bathroom.

"Because that's the important takeaway from this!" Remus rolled his eyes.

Ron eyed it with worry, recalling Charlie wearing one of those. He supposed it would be cool having him as Captain, assuming of course he'd be back on the team, as he ended with a nervous laugh.

James made a sad little face this position suddenly put his son in, but even that couldn't put a damper on his delighted news and he encouraged Harry not to worry about that until he had to.

Mrs. Weasley hardly paid any attention to their chatter, sighing they couldn't put off a trip to Diagon Alley anymore, but they'd have to wait until their father was off on a Saturday to come, she wasn't going without him.

Ron laughed if his mother really thought You-Know-Who was hiding behind a bookshelf in Flourish and Blotts?

"Well after hiding out in a girls bathroom, I really wouldn't put much past him," Sirius smirked.

Mrs. Weasley, fired up at once, rounding on him and reminding Fortescue and Ollivander had gone on holiday then?

"Probably best not to be testing his mother anyways," Lily sighed with sympathy for Molly.

If he thought security was a laughing matter he could stay home!

Ron hastily reminded he wanted to see the twins shop!

"Priorities," James agreed enthusiastically, as if this could get any better!

She pointedly said he'd better watch his tone then, or she'd think he was too immature to even return to school.

Remus let out a soft whistle, unable to grasp how worried a parent must be to have that kind of threat in there.

Ron turned to stare incredulously at Harry as his mother hoisted the laundry basket and the teetering clock into her arms and stormed out of the room, muttering about how she couldn't even take a joke anymore.

"She's never struck me as the fun type to begin with, that's somehow gotten worse over the years," Sirius sighed.

"Be fair, we saw her laugh...err...back when Fred and George made a joke about the train crashing," Harry finally offered.

Lily smiled sadly for the poor stressed mother, and even more for her sons defense of the woman no matter how much it stung just a bit to hear. She was being ridiculous of course, Harry had every reason to do this as he always would.

But Ron was careful not to be flippant about Voldemort over the next few days. Saturday dawned without any more outbursts from Mrs. Weasley, though she seemed very tense at breakfast. Bill, who would be staying at home with Fleur (much to Hermione and Ginny's pleasure),

"Was I detecting a hint of sarcasm in that?" James asked innocently.

"From me? No, never dear," Lily giggled.

passed a full money bag across the table to Harry.

"Really warms my heart an employee of Gringotts got into Harry's vault so easily," Lily muttered.

"I passed him along my key, didn't think to ask why he wanted it though," Harry shrugged without concern.

Ron at once demanded where his was.

"Did he really think his older brother was just passing out bags of gold?" James looked baffled at the reaction.

"I'm sure it was an impulse kind of response, like yelling at the top of your lungs about your kid getting a badge," Remus said pointedly.

Bill told his brother he was being an idiot, that was already Harry's. Gringotts was in security overhaul as of now, they'd been sticking probes up- well, this way was easier for Harry and his parents.

"No, no, you finish those kinds of sentences!" Sirius protested. "Was it his ear? His bum? Underneath his fingernails? Oh, maybe they jammed it into his-"

"Sirius," Lily protested, squirming uncomfortably at wherever his mind had next leapt to and going on extra loud, suddenly grateful their bank had never gone to such extreme measures so far.

Fleur crooned he was always so thoughtful, while Harry watched Ginny mime vomiting into her cereal for this.

"What a perfectly good waste of cereal," James sighed. "You reserve those actions for bowls of cabbage obviously."

Harry choked over his cornflakes, and Ron thumped him on the back.

Then James snorted in surprise as he eyed his son, telling him, "was it really that funny?"

"Unexpected from the likes of Ginny," he pointed out sheepishly.

It was an overcast, murky day. One of the special Ministry of Magic cars, in which Harry had ridden once before, was awaiting them in the front yard when they emerged from the house, pulling on their cloaks.

Ron appreciated his dad had gotten cars from work again as the three of them and Ginny stretched out in the backseat, while the rest piled upfront except Bill and Fleur who were staying behind.

"Practice having the house to themselves before the honeymoon," Remus muttered under his breath, casing Sirius to both snicker and scowl at his mate at the same time, him constantly interrupting his own jokes when he made cracks like that just didn't seem fair.

Mr. Weasley warned over his shoulder not to get used to it, it was only because of Harry.

"Well that was just rude," Lily huffed. "I'm sure Arthur could get them for his own family if he requested it."

"I wouldn't hold my breath," James sighed.

He'd been given top level security, and they would be meeting with additional security at the Leaky Cauldron.

Harry groaned and heavily rolled his eyes, but when he saw the others actually looked a touch relieved at the news he restrained the rest of his mutters about paranoia. Honestly, where was Ron when he needed him.

Harry said nothing; he did not much fancy doing his shopping while surrounded by a battalion of Aurors.

"I quite like the idea," Sirius smirked. "Get them to do the shopping for you, I bet you could even get some to carry you."

"And drop you on your fat head while they're at it," Lily rolled her eyes.

James couldn't help laughing just a bit at the mental image anyways, picturing his sons thin arm reaching for a book while the massive bodies kept him blocked from sight.

He had stowed his Invisibility Cloak in his backpack and felt that, if that was good enough for Dumbledore, it ought to be good enough for the Ministry, though now he came to think of it, he was not sure the Ministry knew about his cloak.

"Certainly not yours specifically," James agreed.

When they arrived the driver told he was going to wait for them, and asked about how long they'd be.

Mr. Weasley warned a few hours.

"Least he's honest," Remus chuckled.

Harry peered through the window and his heart leapt. There were no Aurors waiting outside the inn, but instead the gigantic, black-bearded form of Rubeus Hagrid,

"Hagrid's back!" Sirius whooped, and Harry felt like joining in this time.

"He never went anywhere you daft idiot," Remus scowled at this again being shouted right in his ear.

"He wasn't on my mind for a moment, it was horrible!" Sirius insisted, while Remus shoved his face away and pleaded Lily to go on.

the Hogwarts gamekeeper, wearing a long beaverskin coat, beaming at the sight of Harry's face and oblivious to the startled stares of passing Muggles.

The moment he stepped out of the car Harry was swept into a bone-crushing hug. Hagrid babbling in his ear about Buckbeak- Witherwings of course- was so happy to be back in some open air!

Lily started giggling this was of course the first thing Hagrid would talk about. It really was nice to hear about him again.

Harry was just as glad he was pleased while rubbing his ribs, then told Hagrid he was pleased he was the extra security.

Hagrid agreed just like old times, Dumbledore had said he was up for the job and the Ministry agreed.

"Nothing new there," James beamed in agreement, he wouldn't let his cheerful mood be soured by once again remembering everything Hagrid was there for. It was of some consolation Harry hadn't run up and shared his news of Quidditch Captain with him.

The Leaky Cauldron was, for the first time in Harry's memory, completely empty. Only Tom the landlord, wizened and toothless, remained of the old crowd. He looked up hopefully as they entered, but before he could speak, Hagrid said importantly they were just passing through.

Tom nodded gloomily and returned to wiping glasses;

Lily couldn't help her lip puckering a bit with sympathy, knowing his wasn't the only business suffering during this time.

Harry, Hermione, Hagrid, and the Weasleys walked through the bar and out into the chilly little courtyard at the back where the dustbins stood. Hagrid raised his pink umbrella and rapped a certain brick in the wall, which opened at once to form an archway onto a winding cobbled street. They stepped through the entrance and paused, looking around.

Diagon Alley had changed. The colorful, glittering window displays of spellbooks, potion ingredients, and cauldrons were lost to view, hidden behind the large Ministry of Magic posters that had been pasted over them. Most of these somber purple posters carried blown-up versions of the security advice on the Ministry pamphlets that had been sent out over the summer, but others bore moving black-and-white photographs of Death Eaters known to be on the loose. Bellatrix Lestrange was sneering from the front of the nearest apothecary. A few windows were boarded up, including those of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. On the other hand, a number of shabby-looking stalls had sprung up along the street.

Harry shifted a bit anxiously at this, not at all liking how the place seemed almost shrouded from its once glory. It was all the more depressing to look around and see no one really surprised, he was sure this was much more the Diagon Alley they were used to than the bright one from his memories.

The nearest one, which had been erected outside Flourish and Blotts, under a striped, stained awning, had a cardboard sign pinned to its front:

AMULETS

Effective Against Werewolves, Dementors, and Inferi!

Sirius grumbled uneasily about what he'd like to do to that man, while Remus couldn't help a bitter scoff people would even delude themselves into thinking those would work.

A seedy-looking little wizard was rattling armfuls of silver symbols on chains at passersby. Trying to haggle to Molly as she passed to get one for Ginny's pretty neck.

Harry scowled, hand twitching for his wand, though soothed just a bit by the fierce expression he remembered on Ginny's face, making it clear she didn't need an amulet to protect her from anything.

Mr. Weasley was glaring angrily at the amulet seller for this, muttering if only he were on duty.

"Don't see why that would stop you from toppling the lot over," James snapped.

Mrs. Weasley reminded he wasn't, and they didn't need to be arresting anyone right now. She decided they should all go to Madam Malkin's first, they all needed their robes fixed, and then they could head to Flourish and Blotts-

Arthur corrected they didn't have to stay together, it would be faster if Hagrid went with the trio and Ginny came along with them.

Mrs. Weasley seemed anxious, clearly torn between a desire to finish the shopping quickly and the wish to stick together in a pack.

Lily already longed for the cheerful passages about the kids wandering off all on their own to get ice cream and catch each other up on their holidays, rather than completely understanding both sides to those fears.

Hagrid agreed at once, though Molly hardly looked convinced,

"Paranoid mother," Sirius shook his head indulgently.

Harry bit his tongue hard to fight back the compulsion to remind Sirius he'd been accused of much the same, but even if he could have spoken the words, it would only be more of a constant reminder who was missing. The glowering posters of the one who'd taken him away standing out in his mind more than ever making it hard to focus at all.

but allowed the separation, scurrying off toward Flourish and Blotts with her husband and Ginny while Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid set off for Madam Malkin's.

Harry noticed that many of the people who passed them had the same harried, anxious look as Mrs. Weasley, and that nobody was stopping to talk anymore;

James ruffled his hair in unease, not having to think hard for the dead silence of a crowded place, how everything sounded like no more than a hiss of air and yet every noise was deafening for none of it was done on purpose as if that would save their souls.

the shoppers stayed together in their own tightly knit groups, moving intently about their business. Nobody seemed to be shopping alone.

"Nobody usually does, it's just something you realize once you're looking for it," Remus sighed.

Hagrid offered to wait outside instead of squeezing inside the shop, so Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the little shop together. It appeared, at first glance, to be empty, but no sooner had the door swung shut behind them than they heard a familiar voice issuing from behind a rack of dress robes,

"Good familiar, or bad familiar?" Lily asked curiously.

Harry's troubled face wasn't much of an answer, he had a lot of mixed emotions about Malfoy right now both because of what he'd witnessed his mother doing through this book, and this year in general made him feel Malfoy wasn't just going to be some annoyance in his background for once.

going on about not being a child and able to do this alone!

There was a tutting noise and a voice Harry recognized as that of Madam Malkin, the owner, said his mother was right to be worried, no one was out alone these days, it had nothing to do with being a child-

The first voice snapped back careful where she stuck those pins!

A teenage boy with a pale, pointed face and white-blond hair appeared from behind the rack,

"Malfoy?" They all muttered with some general confusion more than anything. They'd thought him a dead kid because of that earlier bit, now to hear of Narcissa and him in fact just going about their business was as odd a concept as Harry choosing to go into Borgin and Burkes.

They couldn't even throw any general insults at him, for once they were actually worried this little Malfoy would just drop dead right in front of Harry more than they were worried about what snide comment he had today.

wearing a set of dark green robes that glittered with pins around the hem and the edges of the sleeves.

He strode to the mirror and examined himself; it was a few moments before he noticed Harry, Ron, and Hermione reflected over his shoulder. His light gray eyes narrowed, and Draco's voice was as malicious as always as he announced the presence of a Mudblood.

Sympathy gone. James hitched a ferocious expression onto his face, willing to curse that brats teeth out one by one for referring to anyone like that! He would still do anything he could to help Narcissa save that life, but it didn't mean he'd have to do it happily!

Madam Malkin scolded there was no need for that language, or wands, she had to hurriedly add as both Ron and Harry took theirs out and pointed them at Malfoy.

"The proper response," Sirius agreed, "if you'd shot a hex already I'd even say you've improved!"

Hermione, who was standing slightly behind them, whispered at them not to as well, it wasn't worth it.

Lily brushed at her hair for a moment before nodding a bit, it should be up to Hermione to decide how much he deserved for that. She was the one being insulted.

Malfoy sneered who'd given her that black eye? He wanted to send flowers.

"A joke telescope has done more to their lives than you've ever impacted it," Remus sniffed.

Narcissa Malfoy strolled out from behind the clothes rack and snapped at them to put those away. If they attacked her son again,

"I like that she says again, as in she's well aware who's been leaving her kid on the train with decorations," James smirked.

she would insure it was the last thing they'd ever do.

Lily scowled heavily, wanting to give anything to step in and defend her child like Narcissa still had the privilege of doing thanks to something Severus was helping with. Where was the justice in that?

Harry merely took another step forward, asking if she was going to get a few Death Eater pals to help with that again?

Madam Malkin squealed and clutched at her heart. Telling him he shouldn't be throwing accusations like that around!

Harry did not lower his wand. Narcissa Malfoy smiled unpleasantly.

She told that being Dumbledore's favorite might have given him a false sense of security, but Dumbledore wouldn't be around forever to protect him.

"Harry hasn't needed Dumbledore to do much of anything, or anyone for that matter," Sirius snarled at the slight, all of them missing Harry's troubled little frown.

Harry looked mockingly all around the shop before pointedly saying there was no Dumbledore here now.

"I really can't decide if he should be scolded, or praised for this," Remus muttered.

"Sassing a Death Eater is never a good idea, unless you have backup, and since he does, I'm all for it," Sirius huffed.

Have a go then! Maybe she'd get a double cell with her husband!

Malfoy made an angry movement toward Harry, but stumbled over his overlong robe. Ron laughed loudly.

Narcissa grasped his shoulder before he could do anything else, almost purring to her child that she'd be reunited with Lucius properly by the time Potter again saw her dear cousin Sirius Black.

James lurched hard in his seat, like he was fighting back the urge to curse something into dust that wasn't in the room. What he would give to make it so no one could ever say that about his family again!

Harry raised his wand higher.

Hermione grabbed his arm, pleading with him it wasn't worth it, he'd be in such trouble!

"Sometimes it's worth it," James said through gritted teeth. Lily bit hard at her tongue to stop herself agreeing with him, she honestly couldn't say she'd be acting any better, having already wished to hex the both of them long before they'd crossed that line.

Madam Malkin dithered for a moment on the spot, then seemed to decide to act as though nothing was happening in the hope that it wouldn't.

"That is a terrible method!" Lily snapped. "It's what caused most of this problem with Fudge around!"

She bent toward Malfoy, who was still glaring at Harry and tried to hem his sleeve up a bit more, but he again snapped at her to watch it with the pins! Then he pulled the robes over his head and threw them onto the floor at Madam Malkin's feet.

All five of them scoffed in disgust for this little brat, it was already a miracle they'd felt anything for him other than wanting to drown the whelp.

Narcissa decided it was time they take their business elsewhere.

"Good riddance," Lily sniffed.

And with that, the pair of them strode out of the shop, Malfoy taking care to bang as hard as he could into Ron on the way out.

Madam Malkin was left to snatch up the fallen robes and move the tip of her wand over them like a vacuum cleaner, so that it removed all the dust.

She was distracted all through the fitting of Ron's and Harry's new robes, tried to sell Hermione wizard dress robes instead of witch's,

"I don't see the problem with that, could have made a statement she could," Sirius chuckled.

and when she finally bowed them out of the shop it was with an air of being glad to see the back of them.

Hagrid pleasantly greeted them back outside, and Harry asked if he'd seen the Malfoy pass by.

Hagrid agreed he had, but they wouldn't be making trouble in Diagon Alley, no need to worry about them.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged looks, but before they could disabuse Hagrid of this comfortable notion,

"Honestly, what's there more to say?" James sighed, desperately reaching for that good mood once more. "Let's get back to some shopping, we still haven't got to hear about the twins shop that's been teased for ages!"

Harry gave a light laugh of agreement.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny appeared, all clutching heavy packages of books and continuing the rest of the list together.

Neither Harry nor Ron bought any ingredients at the Apothecary, seeing that they were no longer studying Potions, but both bought large boxes of owl nuts for Hedwig and Pigwidgeon at Eeylops Owl Emporium. Then, with Mrs. Weasley checking her watch every minute or so, they headed farther along the street in search of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, the joke shop run by Fred and George.

Mrs. Weasley was still anxiously checking her watch and store numbers, muttering about how they hadn't much time but to look around at the twins things and then get going-

Then Ron stopped in his tracks and uttered 'woah.'

"A wonderful first impression then!" Sirius all but squealed, unable to believe Lily had gotten this one!

Set against the dull, poster-muffled shop fronts around them, Fred and George's windows hit the eye like a firework display.

"What I'll remember them most vividly for," Remus whispered in anticipation.

Casual passersby were looking back over their shoulders at the windows, and a few rather stunned-looking people had actually come to a halt, transfixed.

James knew he would have been the same way, it was almost cruel just having to imagine such a sight in such a dismal place!

The left-hand window was dazzlingly full of an assortment of goods that revolved, popped, flashed, bounced, and shrieked; Harry's eyes began to water just looking at it. The right-hand window was covered with a gigantic poster, purple like those of the Ministry, but emblazoned with flashing yellow letters:

WHY ARE YOU WORRYING ABOUT

YOU-KNOW-WHO?

YOU SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT

U-NO-POO-

THE CONSTIPATION SENSATION

THAT'S GRIPPING THE NATION!

Lily couldn't help it, she laughed out of pure shock, the boys already dissolving into tears of mirth. It was by far the most hysterical thing anyone had ever called Voldemort, including using just the name Riddle instead!

Harry started to laugh. He heard a weak sort of moan beside him and looked around to see Mrs. Weasley gazing, dumbfounded, at the poster. Her lips moved silently, mouthing the name "U-No-Poo."

She at once whispered they'd be murdered in their beds.

"Even Voldemort would stop to laugh at that, no matter how human he isn't!" Sirius insisted.

Ron brushed off it was brilliant, as he and Harry led the way into the shop. It was packed with customers; Harry could not get near the shelves. He stared around, looking up at the boxes piled to the ceiling: Here were the Skiving Snackboxes that the twins had perfected during their last, unfinished year at Hogwarts; Harry noticed that the Nosebleed Nougat was most popular, with only one battered box left on the shelf. There were bins full of trick wands, the cheapest merely turning into rubber chickens or pairs of briefs when waved, the most expensive beating the unwary user around the head and neck, and boxes of quills, which came in Self-Inking, Spell-Checking, and Smart-Answer varieties. A space cleared in the crowd, and Harry pushed his way toward the counter, where a gaggle of delighted ten- year-olds was watching a tiny little wooden man slowly ascending the steps to a real set of gallows, both perched on a box that read: reusable hangman 'spell it or he'll swing!

"Well that one got morally disturbing," Lily finished the first round of products with more indulgence than anything.

"I want more details," James all but whined, his hand still twitching to snag the book away from Lily, who smiled at him and merely held it closer before continuing.

Hermione had found Patented Daydream Charms in a large display near the counter and was reading the information on the back of a box bearing a highly colored picture of a handsome youth and a swooning girl who were standing on the deck of a pirate ship.

She exclaimed it as extraordinary magic for something so lifelike.

"She sounds so surprised," Sirius still managed a pout on the twins behalf.

A voice behind them said she could have one for free for that.

"I personally would have reminded her of the time they turned Neville into a canary instead, but I suppose that's good business," James hadn't stopped grinning for pages now, it was fantastic!

A beaming Fred stood before them, wearing a set of magenta robes that clashed magnificently with his flaming hair.

"I'm sure that's why they wear it," Lily agreed.

He shook hands with Harry at once before asking what had happened to Hermione's eye.

She ruefully reminded him of his telescope.

Fred said in surprise he'd forgotten about that thing before handing her a tube from his pocket.

"Should I be worried he keeps something on him to get rid of that?" Remus asked around twitching lips.

"Nah," his two friends said at once.

She unscrewed it gingerly to reveal a thick yellow paste.

Fred explained just dab it on and the bruise would be gone within the hour. Decent to have around, since they were still testing most of their products on themselves.

"Still? Would have thought they'd be able to pay someone even better than first years by now," James chuckled.

Hermione looked nervous, asking if it was safe.

Fred said of course it was at once, while leading Harry off to give him a tour.

Harry left Hermione dabbing her black eye with paste and followed Fred toward the back of the shop, where he saw a stand of card and rope tricks.

Fred explained that was for nuts like his dad who enjoyed Muggle tricks, they weren't a big seller, but cute novelty items.

Then George appeared. Fred's twin shook Harry's hand energetically.

He offered Harry to see the back where they made their real money. On the way he warned a kid with his hand in a barrel that stealing something would cost him more than Galleons. The kid at once backed away.

"I'm sure they have all kinds of anti-thieving spells around," Lily agreed.

"Wonder what they prefer to do with those getting caught? Cutting off limbs, or simply using them as test dummies for a few products?" Sirius snickered.

George pushed back a curtain beside the Muggle tricks and Harry saw a darker, less crowded room. The packaging on the products lining these shelves was more subdued.

Fred began they'd just developed this more serious line,

"Aw, I'm honored," Sirius pressed his hand to his heart, then scowled at once at his two friends who didn't even have the energy to smack him for the dower joke.

while George explained it was unbelievable how many Ministry employees couldn't do a simple Shield Charm.

"That is the most depressing news I've heard all day, and that's saying a lot!" Sirius insisted still in his jesting tone. At least James almost cracked a smile for that one.

Course they didn't have Harry for a teacher, Fred amended.

"I really doubt I did that much," Harry said a little dumbfounded, "I mean, they were two years above me! Surely a previous teacher-"

"I wouldn't count on it Harry," Remus corrected. "A different teacher every year, that's going to produce shotty results even if every one of them were steller, and from your track record alone you know that wasn't always the case."

Harry still looked rather blushy and baffled over the whole thing.

So they'd initially created Shield Hats, you know, challenge someone to a duel while wearing the funny looking thing. Then the Ministry bought their whole supplies for a year.

Which lead them into a whole range of Defense Dark Arts products. Of course it only worked against minor hexes and jinxes.

"This, is, brilliant!" James squealed. He couldn't see much of a use for those himself, but he'd certainly fix every one of those and some boots if they had them to his infant for the next year or more, he couldn't be the only parent seeing a practical use for these things! They certainly needed to be invented right along with those canary creams as soon as possible!

There was also their supply of Instant Darkness Powder, imported from Peru, handy for a get away.

Remus let out a surprised whistle, that stuff was expensive, he was more surprised the twins weren't trying to recreate their own instead.

Plus their Decoy Detonators, which were walking off the shelves, literally. Even as Harry watched some were scurrying around. Fred explained you just drop one on the ground and they'd create a racket for a diversion.

"Love it," Lily giggled, any number of helpful times that could be used coming to mind, and she was sure even unhelpful times if those boys smiles meant anything.

Harry took a liking to those, so George tossed him some at once. Then a young witch poked her head in, wearing their uniform and telling both Mr. Weasley's there was a customer looking for a joke cauldron.

"That's got to get confusing. As if they weren't switched around enough, now they go by the same name," Sirius chuckled.

Harry found it very odd to hear Fred and George called 'Mr. Weasley,'

"I'm honestly more surprised they're not already trying to tell McGonagall they didn't do it," Remus snickered.

but they took it in their stride.

George left with Verity to see to the customer, while Fred told Harry there was no charge in this store, as Harry had just reached for his money bag for the Decoy Detonators.

Harry tried to protest he couldn't do that,

"I believe you can," James reminded Harry with a fond grin. "You are the one, and only person, who invested in this, I think that entitles you to a few free things every now and again."

"You basically paid for everything in that shop," Sirius agreed.

"No I didn't, they'd been making things well before I gave them all that gold," Harry protested, "and they were doing fine getting it off the ground before Bagman caused so much trouble."

"The truth still stands I honestly doubt they would have gotten this far this fast without you, have fun with that, and please tell me you brought me a Decoy Detonator!" James finished pleadingly.

Harry still shook his head, but stopped arguing the point. Lily was honestly proud of both sides and just kept going beaming.

Fred was being firm about this though, saying they'd hadn't forgotten their start up loan. Harry didn't pay here.

Harry reluctantly put his money away as they found they found Hermione and Ginny, Fred deciding to lead them over to the WonderWitch products. A range of bottles from love potions to helpful things to do with your appearance.

Ginny asked curiously how well they worked, and George popped back up to give a few details, before Fred scolded they wouldn't be selling them to their sister though.

"Then why did he lead her over there?" Remus snorted.

"Showing off, obviously," James rolled his eyes.

Not that she seemed to need help, from what Ron had said she had five at once nowadays-

Ginny cut in whatever Ron said was a big fat lie, then asked what this small bottle did.

Fred explained it was a ten second pimple vanisher, before also telling her not to change the subject.

"I like that he answers first and then continues interrogating her, that's proper management," Sirius approved.

Was she, or was she not, currently dating Dean Thomas?

"Suddenly immensely glad none of us had sisters," James muttered, this already sounded like a nightmare, he could only imagine if Lily did have a girl anytime soon he'd be just as bad.

Ginny cooley agreed she was, but last she'd checked he was one boy, not five.

"Clearly she's not practiced enough duplication charms on him then," Sirius smirked.

Then she noticed a cage of differently colored balls of fluff all rolling around.

Fred briefly explained them as Pygmy Puffs, but insisted his sister was going through boyfriends a bit fast.

"And we have entered, none of their business territory," Lily huffed, completely on Ginny's side. She'd only had two in the last year, that really wasn't so bad, and honestly still trying to repress laughter all of the boys in the room looked more likely to drink one of those love potions than offer anything for this conversation.

Ginny turned to look at him, her hands on her hips. There was such a Mrs. Weasley-ish glare on her face that Harry was surprised Fred didn't recoil.

"That is a terrifying thought in itself," Remus agreed.

She firmly pointed out it was none of their business, and she'd thank Ronald not spreading stories about her to these two, as he chose that moment to appear laden with merchandise.

Fred tactifully managed not to answer by telling his kid brother that would be three Galleons, nine Sickles, and a Knut.

"Ah changing the subject, life's great gift!" Sirius cheered at once.

"I do love he knows all that just by glancing at the boxes," James snickered.

"Even with a family discount," Remus agreed.

Ron at once protested he was their brother!

Fred decided he'd knock off the Knut then.

"Never mind then," Remus agreed as his friends roared further with laughter. Lily couldn't help frowning just a bit, hoping Harry kept it to himself the twins had in fact done the opposite to someone not their brother. That wouldn't help Ron any with a problem he'd had feeling so overlooked, now possibly even replaced in his own family.

Ron protested he didn't have that much, and was then kindly told to put the boxes back where he'd found them.

Ron dropped several boxes, swore, and made a rude hand gesture at Fred that was unfortunately spotted by Mrs. Weasley, who had chosen that moment to appear.

"Mother's gift," Lily agreed fondly while the boys only subsided into further snickering.

She threatened if she saw him doing that again she'd jinx his fingers together, before Ginny swooped in and asked for a Pygmy Puff.

"Ginny is a great sister! Constantly keeping on the right track this one," James smirked.

Harry agreed at once, a fond smile on his face of how well Ginny knew how to deal with every person in her family.

Mrs. Weasley moved aside to look at the Pygmy Puffs, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione momentarily had an unimpeded view out of the window. Draco Malfoy was hurrying up the street alone.

"Honestly not surprised he ditched mummy," James snapped at once, not at all forgetting of those Malfoy's comments anytime soon.

"Surprised she let him stop holding her hand, as worried as she was about him," Lily muttered with far less venom. She vividly remembered Narcissa saying Draco had been eager to help Voldemort with something, and this setup was as forbidding as it got.

As he passed Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, he glanced over his shoulder. Seconds later, he moved beyond the scope of the window and they lost sight of him.

Harry at once asked where his mummy had got to.

Ron agreed he'd given her the slip.

Hermione asked why he would?

Harry said nothing; he was thinking too hard. Narcissa Malfoy would not have let her precious son out of her sight willingly;

"That's a little presumptuous on your part," Remus frowned at him. "What's there for her to fear really? The Death Eaters are practically the boogeyman of the time right now, no one would dare hurt one of their kids."

Harry tried to explain his reasoning, "I'd never seen him away from his parents before, and Narcissa had certainly made a show of being worried about Malfoy there in the shop, stepping in like she did."

Malfoy must have made a real effort to free himself from her clutches.

Harry, knowing and loathing Malfoy, was sure the reason could not be innocent.

He glanced around. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were bending over the Pygmy Puffs. was delightedly examining a pack of Muggle marked playing cards. Fred and George were both helping customers. On the other side of the glass, Hagrid was standing

with his back to them, looking up and down the street.

"Oh, you're not," Lily sighed in resignation already.

"Oh, he is," James agreed, a torn expression on his face. He almost agreed with Lily, this was his son just looking for trouble, but at the same time, he couldn't claim to be doing any better at that age, or honestly even now.

In a snap decision he pulled his cloak out and hissed at his two friends to hurry up while everyone was distracted. Hermione hesitated for a moment while Ron ducked in at once.

"I could have quoted that with you what their responses would be," Sirius said with a proud little smirk.

She hesitated for a second longer, then ducked under the cloak with them. Nobody noticed them vanish; they were all too interested in Fred and George's products.

"A marketing slogan I'm sure they'd be proud of, further helping you to get around trouble," Remus muttered.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione squeezed their way out of the door as quickly as they could, but by the time they gained the street, Malfoy had disappeared just as successfully as they had.

Harry quietly murmured which direction he'd gone, leading them carefully past Hagrid. They spotted him ahead turning left, as Ron whispered what a big surprised it was, right into Knockturn Alley.

"Yeah, no, got to disagree with Ron, I'm not surprised at all," Sirius stated in the such the same sarcastic tone his best friend had once done, Harry found it a bit eerie.

Harry insisted they speed up to him, while Hermione cautioned their feet would be showing. It was an issue hiding the three of them under the cloak nowadays,

"Not to mention you hardly ever practice," James huffed.

but Harry impatiently said it didn't matter, there was no one around.

Knockturn Alley, the side street devoted to the Dark Arts, looked completely deserted. They peered into windows as they passed, but none of the shops seemed to have any customers at all. Harry supposed it was a bit of a giveaway in these dangerous and suspicious times to buy Dark artifacts, or at least, to be seen buying them.

"There it is," Remus agreed, having fixing to correct Harry on that detail.

Hermione gave his arm a hard pinch.

He yelped ouch, but she quickly shushed him.

"Maybe if you want him to be quiet, don't pinch him to get his attention," Lily couldn't help but giggle. "Honestly, all three of you, you seem lacking in the ability to wave a hand around, gets the job done less painfully."

Harry chose not to answer that while still rubbing the spot.

They had drawn level with the only shop in Knockturn Alley that Harry had ever visited, Borgin and Burkes,

"That would have given me heart failure if I hadn't known the circumstances of it," James muttered.

which sold a wide variety of sinister objects. There in the midst of the cases full of skulls and old bottles stood Draco Malfoy with his back to them, just visible beyond the very same large black cabinet in which Harry had once hidden to avoid Malfoy and his father.

Harry couldn't help but shift uncomfortably, a great buzzing flowing across his mind telling him to pay attention now, as if he weren't doing that already.

Judging by the movements of Malfoy's hands, he was talking animatedly. The proprietor of the shop, Mr. Borgin, an oily-haired, stooping man, stood facing Malfoy. He was wearing a curious expression of mingled resentment and fear.

Hermione groaned they couldn't hear what was being said, but Ron then produced from the boxes he was still holding

"Ron certainly has his priorities in order," Sirius couldn't help bursting out laughing he'd kept hold of those all this time.

"I'm hoping whatever prevents one from stealing traced to blood, otherwise the whole store would realize you three are missing," James pointed out.

"We weren't tackled by Hagrid, so I think we're in the clear," Harry brushed off, still trying to lean in eagerly for what Malfoy was up to, an honest first since his second year.

some Extendable Ears.

"And my assertion those are needed for all occasions finally gets its first validation," James nodded along.

Ron quickly fed one into the door and they could at once hear Malfoy's voice asking for something to be fixed.

Harry felt like he'd just slammed his skull as hard into Hogwarts castle as he could already, that simpel word meant something dire! He kept his breath carefully neutral though, sadly still very clearly giving away something as they all glanced anxiously at him, but knew Malfoy was the only one who could give answers right now, as grating as that could get.

Borgin seemed reluctant to help, saying it would be easier if it could be brought in-

Malfoy snapped it couldn't, it had to stay where it was.

Borgin insisted without seeing it-

Malfoy stepped forward, out of their range of sight, and said perhaps this would give him confidence.

They shuffled sideways to try and keep him in sight, but all they could see was Borgin, looking very frightened. Malfoy continued if Borgin told anyone of this conversation he'd get a visit from Fenrir Greyback, an old family friend. He'd be dropping by anyways to make sure this matter was given the full attention.

"Why would he use him as a reference," Remus demanded so horsley, only Sirius had heard.

"It's a big name in the Death Eater community Moony, don't freak yourself out over details," Sirius quietly soothed so as not to distract Lily.

Borgin tried to say there was no need for that, but Malfoy snapped he'd be deciding what was needed. Then he gestured to be sure to keep that one safe, he'd be needing it.

Borgin offered him to take it now, and Malfoy called him an idiot, he couldn't carry that down the street.

"No more like a fool than usual, in fact whatever it is might even deter from that mug!" James tried in vain for a light joke, but even he didn't care about it, far more invested in whatever this was going on. It did not feel like a coincidence at all they'd been told Malfoy was given a task, and the next time they saw him, he was looking for help from Borgin.

Borgin made a bow as deep as the one Harry had once seen him give Lucius as Draco made to leave, again saying not to tell anyone about this, especially his mother.

"Why not? She clearly knows about everything else going on," Harry muttered in surprise, desperate to get any answer right now that didn't make his head feel as if that slamming was being repeated.

"She's clearly not approving of it love, and I'm sure she's made that known to him," Lily calmly explained, fighting back the urge to run her hand through his hair to sooth that agitated face. None of them were surprised this wasn't as informative as they'd have liked.

Borgin agreed at once.

Next moment, the bell over the door tinkled loudly as Malfoy stalked out of the shop looking very pleased with himself. He passed so close to Harry, Ron, and Hermione that they felt the cloak flutter around their knees again. Inside the shop, Borgin remained frozen; his unctuous smile had vanished; he looked worried.

Ron at once wondered what that could have been about, and all Harry could repeat was he wanted something fixed, and something reserved.

"Glad to know we gleaned as much as you, oh almighty Noticer," Sirius sighed.

"As if I need another title," Harry grumbled.

Without waiting for another response, Hermione ducked out from under the cloak. She checked her hair in the reflection in the glass, then marched into the shop, setting the bell tinkling again.

"What is she up to?" Remus demanded, looking worried for her safety at once.

"She clearly thinks she can get more out of this, and I can almost see her point," Lily had a critical eye in place. "Obviously neither of the boys could do it, they're too well noticed on sight, but if she plays this right and says the right thing, she very well could."

"She doesn't have a spotless track record for that," Remus still looked worried, remembering occasions where she'd still frozen on the spot or come up with some very lame excuses.

"On the other hand, she gets better with practice," Sirius tried to offer hopefully, at least what she'd done to Umbridge and Marietta last year proved she had a streak not to be messed with, hopefully that shone through right now.

The boys at once leaned back in to the Extendable Ear to hear Hermione greet him with a horrible morning in a bright voice.

"Well she's off to a terrible start," James moaned, already fighting back the impulse to bury his face in his fingers.

Borgin did not answer, but cast her a suspicious look. She cheerily hummed, passing a few display cases, and pausing at a necklace to ask how much it was.

One and a half thousand Galleons apparently, while Hermione disappointedly said she hadn't quite that much.

Then she asked for the price of a skull, and when he said sixteen Galleons, she asked if anything in here was being kept for anyone.

"Nope, she's already blown it," Sirius sighed in disappointment.

"Apparently she only does well under pressure, I'm sure if someone was threatening to curse her she'd have come up with a much better on the spot lie," James sighed.

Mr. Borgin squinted at her. Harry had the nasty feeling he knew exactly what Hermione was up to. Apparently Hermione felt she had been rumbled too because she suddenly threw caution to the winds. Falsifying the boy who'd just been in here was a friend,

"There's something I never thought I'd hear in any context," Harry crinkled up his nose.

And she was looking for a present for him, but obviously if he'd already reserved something she shouldn't bother to get the same thing.

"Credit for trying," Lily offered a weak little grin. "It took something for her to go in there and come up with anything as fast as she did."

"It would have done them better to actually come up with a plan, even to wait a few moments, rather than coming in right after he'd left," James sighed. Hermione had unintentionally ruined something that could have been quite valuable.

It was a pretty lame story in Harry's opinion, and apparently Borgin thought so too. He at once snapped at her to get out of his shop.

Hermione did not wait to be asked twice, but hurried to the door with Borgin at her heels. As the bell tinkled again, Borgin slammed the door behind her and put up the closed sign.

Ron offered it had been worth a try while throwing the cloak back over her, though noted she'd been pretty obvious.

She at once snapped back he could show her how it was done next time.

"Can't say Ron would have done any better," Sirius shrugged, "honestly of the lot of you, you all can't really lie to save your life."

"Thank you Sirius," Harry said blandly, though his heart wasn't at all in it. Finally he was fully and thoroughly distracted from his godfather, and was not at all pleased what his mind had settled on. Whatever Malfoy was up to, it somehow wasn't going to lead to anything better than dwelling on the death of him.

Ron and Hermione bickered all the way back to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, where they were forced to stop so that they could dodge undetected around a very anxious-looking Mrs. Weasley and Hagrid, who had clearly noticed their absence. Once in the shop, Harry whipped off the Invisibility Cloak, hid it in his bag, and joined in with the other two when they insisted, in answer to Mrs. Weasley's accusations, that they had been in the back room all along, and that she could not have looked properly.

"You only prove my point," Sirius couldn't help but insist, and refused to stop smirking at Harry until he offered an uneasy smile back.

#Harry Potter #fanfiction #reading the books #HP #HBP #The Life That Never Lived #Marauders #Jilly #James Potter #Remus Lupin #Sirius Black #Lily Potter

[twoidiotwriters1]

Written In The Stars CXXXII (Harry Potter xF!Oc)

A/N: Only six chapters to go!! -Danny

Words: 5,233

Series’ Masterlist

Previous Chapter // Next Chapter

Listen to: ‘How To Be Yours’ -by Chris Renzema

Chapter Thirty: O.W.L.'s

It was chaos after Fred and George's departure. 

Mel didn't even have to lift a finger to make sure the school was having a good amount of incidents, everywhere she went something was always happening, people were eager to copy the twins' doings, and the teachers had no intention to stop them.

The Inquisitorial Squad was in hell, which was what Mel had been dreaming for months. Something not so great was Erick as the main target of people that didn't know he was helping. Despite this, the D.A. knew about his friendship with Mel and they were very careful to keep him safe from any major harm. 

"When Mum's next letter finally gets through Umbridge's screening process I'm going to be in deep trouble. I wouldn't be surprised if she's sent a Howler again."

"But —"

"It'll be my fault Fred and George left, you wait," said Ron. "She'll say I should've stopped them leaving, I should've grabbed the ends of their brooms and hung on or something... Yeah, it'll be all my fault..."

"Well, if she does say that it'll be very unfair, you couldn't have done anything! But I'm sure she won't, I mean, if it's really true they've got premises in Diagon Alley now, they must have been planning this for ages..." Hermione said.

"Yeah, but that's another thing, how did they get premises? It's a bit dodgy, isn't it? They'll need loads of Galleons to afford the rent on a place in Diagon Alley, she'll want to know what they've been up to, to get their hands on that sort of gold..."

"Well, yes, that occurred to me too, I've been wondering whether Mundungus has persuaded them to sell stolen goods or something awful..."

"He hasn't," said Harry.

"How do you know?" asked Ron and Hermione.

"Because —" Harry glanced at Mel. "Because they got the gold from me. I gave them my Triwizard winnings last June."

"Oh, Harry, you didn't!" Hermione gasped.

"Yes, I did. And I don't regret it either — I didn't need the gold, and they'll be great at a joke shop..."

"But this is excellent! It's all your fault, Harry — Mum can't blame me at all! Can I tell her?"

"You really are Harry's best friend, aren't you?" Mel snorted.

"Yeah, I suppose you'd better," said Harry. "'Specially if she thinks they're receiving stolen cauldrons or something..."

Once on the school grounds, she heard Harry and Hermione still arguing about it.

"It's no good nagging me, it's done! Fred and George have got the gold — spent a good bit of it too, by the sounds of it — and I can't get it back from them and I don't want to. So save your breath, Hermione."

"I wasn't going to say anything about Fred and George!" 

Ron snorted.

"No, I wasn't!" She insisted. "As a matter of fact, I was going to ask Harry if he's going to go back to Snape and ask for Occlumency lessons again! You can't tell me you've stopped having funny dreams, because Ron told me last night you were muttering in your sleep again."

"You were only muttering a bit," Ron blushed. "Something about 'just a bit farther.' " 

"I dreamed I was watching you lot play Quidditch," Harry lied. "I was trying to get you to stretch out a bit farther to grab the Quaffle." 

"Wow, that was brutal," Mel grimaced. "If I were you, Ron, I'd sneak some farting bubbles in his pumpkin juice..."

Ron's ears turned red from embarrassment and annoyance, Hermione pinched Mel's arm and she complained, but Harry looked very pleased about his own behaviour.

"You are trying to block your mind, aren't you?" Hermione pushed.

"Of course I am," said Harry, his eyes darting away from his friend's face. "Mel's been helping me lots, haven't you, Mel?"

"Sure thing," Mel lied. "He's making progress. Honestly, I think I'm a better teacher than Snape."

Truth be told they hadn't practised at all after Fred and George left school. Mel was busy with her homework and Quidditch practice, and not once Harry had asked her to help him with Occlumency. Probably because he didn't want her to look into some private memories again.

"You know," said Ron, "if Montague doesn't recover before Slytherin play Hufflepuff, we might be in with a chance of winning the Cup."

"Yeah, I s'pose so," said Harry, eager to change the subject.

"I mean, we've won one, lost one — if Slytherin lose to Hufflepuff next Saturday —"

"Yeah, that's right," Harry's eyes followed Cho's figure as she crossed the courtyard without looking at him once. 

"You know," Mel said quietly. "You shouldn't force it... When things are meant to be, they just happen."

The morning of their game against Ravenclaw Mel was a nervous wreck. She was stuffing herself with all the food she could reach.

"You'll throw up if you keep eating like that!" Hermione took the bowl of fruit from her hands.

"I need that!"

"You don't."

"I mean, I can't get any worse, can I?" Ron said anxiously. "Nothing to lose now, is there?"

"If you keep saying that I'll kill you," Mel groaned. "I'm going to pass out, I just know it..."

As she and Ron were leaving the Hall, Harry tried to catch up with them, but Mel was so entranced in her own thoughts that she didn't hear him yell until he tried another name.

"Dumbledore girl!"

Mel turned back, her eyes landed on Harry and her frown vanished.

"Oh," She blinked. "What's up?"

"It's your first game as Seeker," He shook her hand, squeezing a little. "Best of luck... Can I ask you a favour?"

"Okay?"

"Give hell to Cho," He smirked. "Only during the game, though."

She chuckled. 

"I'll do my best, Glasses."

Both of them froze.

"I'm sorry," She stammered. "I wasn't thinking, I—"

"It's okay," Harry replied softly, his eyes shining at the nickname.

A little voice whispered in her ear: 'Not again.' 

"I have to go," She said, turning hot on her heel and leaving a startled Harry behind.

"And here they come! The Weasleys! Johnson! Bell! Spinnet! Sloper! and Dumbledore! This is Mel's first game as a seeker — Cheers, Mel!"

"I'm so full of shit..." Mel whispered tensely.

"And they're off! And Davies takes the Quaffle immediately, Ravenclaw Captain Davies with the Quaffle, he dodges Johnson, he dodges Bell, he dodges Spinnet as well... He's going straight for goal! He's going to shoot — and — and — Shit! And he's scored."

As predicted, the tune of  'Weasley is our king' started around the stands. Mel took a deep breath coming to terms with the fact that this was beyond her control, all she could do now was focus on catching the snitch. As Bradley plummeted towards Ron, the boy threw himself to the right and he... stopped the Quaffle.

A brief moment of stunned silence surrounded them, then, just as quickly, the Gryffindor crowd erupted into cheers. Mel shared a look of genuine shock with Ginny, then she looked back at her friend, who was frozen in disbelief.

"You got this, Ron!" She shouted.

Mel could only describe what happened next as pure magic. Ron stopped every single attempt to score from the Ravenclaws one after the other. He did all this with truly impressive manoeuvres as well. Angelina was beaming with pride, Katie and Alicia were at the top of their game too; even Jack was doing a decent job.

Ginny was having a blast, throwing the bludgers around to the opposite team. Mel and Cho would circle the game above everyone, and with every passing minute Cho started to look more and more anxious. Mel tried to keep a neutral attitude towards her, but apparently, Cho had witnessed the moment when Harry chased after her to wish her good luck personally. It wasn't Mel's fault, his loyalty was towards Gryffindor, not her! 

An hour after it had started what it was by far the best game of the season, Mel caught a glimpse of something golden at the end of Ravenclaw's side of the field. She flew fast towards it, but Cho was right behind her. She took a sharp turn when a chaser flew right in front of her, causing her (and Cho) to lose sight of the snitch.

The girls went back up with grumpy expressions, but then she looked down to see how the game was going and spotted the snitch two feet away from the tail of  Cho's broom. Mel swore loudly and gave another abrupt turn, circling Chang's broom. The tail barely grazed her shoulder as she chased after the tiny thing. Mel stretched out her hand and in one sudden movement, she seized it.

The game was officially over, and Gryffindor had won.

Mel stared down at the object on her palm as she landed, she was tackled into a hug by the whole team, Ron was in the middle of it, being the star of the match. Only then she realized the lyrics of the song had changed. 

Weasley is our King,

Weasley is our King,

He didn't let the Quaffle in,

Weasley is our King...

Weasley can save anything,

He never leaves a single ring

That's why Gryffindors all sing:

Weasley is our King.

Angelina was a crying mess as well as Alicia, this being their last game probably felt like a miracle sent from heaven. Katie and Ginny were euphoric, Jack couldn't believe their luck. Every girl in the team kissed Ron on the cheek and Jack patted his shoulder roughly. Mel got her own round of hugs and kisses, and they were both suddenly lifted in the air, guided to the stands so they could receive the Quidditch cup from none other than Umbridge herself.

Sure, instant gratification was all right, but nothing was quite as pleasant as the absolute outrage in Umbridge's face when the cup reached Mel and Ron's hands, both of them lifting the cup proudly for everyone to see. 

As the crowd guided them back to the castle, Ron shouted.

"HARRY! HERMIONE! WE DID IT! WE WON!" 

She looked to where he was yelling and found their friends beaming at them. Mel's eyes fixed on Harry's expression, he hadn't looked that happy since last June. She was delighted to be part of the reason why he was smiling like that.

"Hagrid's keeping a what in the forest?" 

Hermione hushed her, they were in their room long after the party had ended, the girl had sneaked into her bed to talk about what they'd done during the Quidditch match. Turns out that neither she nor Harry had seen it, Hagrid appeared and asked them to follow him into the forbidden forest. There he introduced them to his half brother, which happened to be:

"A young giant?" Her voice came out muffled since Hermione was covering her mouth. "He spends his afternoons being his brother's punching bag?"

"He reckons he's helping him become... er... civilized," Hermione said. "It's awful, really. Grawp looks like he'd much rather spend his time chasing down centaurs than learning how to spell 'tree'."

"And he made you promise we would look after him? No. Absolutely not."

"We don't have a choice —"

"We don't even know if he'll get fired!"

"Do you really think Umbridge will let him stay? I mean, Harry and I were the ones who promised anyway, so you're not obliged —"

"Don't be silly," Mel rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't leave you alone — And let's be honest, I'm stronger than you when it comes to magical defense, I'm probably the one who's got a bigger chance to control a small giant."

"You're probably right..." Hermione sighed. "I couldn't bring myself to tell Ron — Neither could Harry! We couldn't..."

"I guess we can't do much besides sit and worry, can we?"

"Yeah, reckon so."

"I always said there was no use in sitting and worrying," She pouted. "But usually that's the only thing I'm able to do..."

"Well, I mean, I'd already let in that one of Davies's, so I wasn't feeling that confident, but I dunno, when Bradley came toward me, just out of nowhere, I thought — you can do this!" Ron was describing his first saved for the third time. "And I had about a second to decide which way to fly, you know, because he looked like he was aiming for the right goal hoop — my right, obviously, his left — but I had a funny feeling that he was feinting, and so I took the chance and flew left — his right, I mean — and — well — you saw what happened."

The boy pushed his hair back and made it messier. They were sitting outside, trying to enjoy the fresh air of the afternoon, the sight reminded her of a scene that though she wasn't originally there to witness, now was part of her memories.

"And then, when Chambers came at me about five minutes later — what?" Ron stared at her and Harry. "Why are you two grinning?"

"I'm not," Harry glimpsed at Mel and knew they were thinking about the same thing. "I'm just glad we won, that's all."

"Yeah... we won," Ron agreed wistfully. "Did you see the look on Chang's face when Mel got the Snitch right out from under her nose?"

"I suppose she cried, did she?" 

"Wow, you definitely didn't sound bitter at all," Mel snorted. 

"Well, yeah — more out of temper than anything, though..." Ron was right, but Mel didn't feel particularly proud of this, it wasn't like she wanted Cho to throw a tantrum, she just wanted to win. "But you saw her chuck her broom away when she got back to the ground, didn't you?"

"Er..." 

"Well, actually... no, Ron," Hermione closed her book. "As a matter of fact, the only bit of the match Harry and I saw was Davies's first goal."

"You didn't watch?" Ron visibly deflated. "You didn't see me make any of those saves?" 

"Well — no. But Ron, we didn't want to leave — we had to!"

"Yeah?" The boy started to get annoyed. "How come?"

"It was Hagrid," Harry explained. "He decided to tell us why he's been covered in injuries ever since he got back from the giants. He wanted us to go into the forest with him, we had no choice, you know how he gets... Anyway..."

By the end, Ron had forgotten he was even mad.

"He brought one back and hid it in the forest?" He whispered.

"Yep," said Harry simply.

"No... no, he can't have..."

"Well, he has," Hermione stated. "Grawp's about sixteen feet tall, enjoys ripping up twenty-foot pine trees, and knows me," the girl snorted, "as Hermy."

Ron laughed nervously, Mel chortled.

"You didn't tell me about your nickname last night!"

"Because I knew you would tease me endlessly," The girl rolled her eyes.

"And Hagrid wants us to..?"

"Teach him English, yeah," Harry replied with a crooked smile.

"He's lost his mind," Ron concluded.

"Yes," Hermione responded. "Yes, I'm starting to think he has. But unfortunately, he made Harry and me promise."

"Well, you're just going to have to break your promise, that's all. I mean, come on... We've got exams and we're about that far," he made a gesture with his fingers, a millimetre of space keeping them from touching, "from being chucked out as it is. And anyway... remember Norbert? Remember Aragog? Have we ever come off better for mixing with any of Hagrid's monster mates?"

"I know, it's just that — we promised..." Hermione pouted. 

"Well... Hagrid hasn't been sacked yet, has he? He's hung on this long, maybe he'll hang on till the end of term and we won't have to go near Grawp at all."

Panic rose over the fifth-years as June welcomed them into the busiest start of summer of their lives. Mel was sick of studying, so she spent her afternoons helping some classmates review their subjects. In exchange, Neville helped her with Herbology, he was a marvellous tutor.

Erick had seen her one time after the Quidditch final, the boy was preoccupied with studying for his own exams. Next year would be Erick's seventh and last, and he was determined to become the Headboy. Mel asked him if it hadn't lost its charm now that Umbridge was headmistress, but Erick merely shrugged and assured her there was no way that woman would be there next year.

"You know what?" Mel yawned. "I wouldn't mind chucking down my throat some doxy droppings to see if they can pull me out of my misery. I hate feeling like I'm not good enough, I don't know how my dad did this for seven years..."

"Cheer up," Ron tried to pat her shoulder, touching the wall instead. "You're only saying that because you have no patience. You're the smartest witch in our year right after 'Mione — You got this. Now shut up and let me worry in peace."

"Remember our vow?" She smirked, nudging his arm. "The one about us being awful together?"

Ron looked at her. "Well, if Miss Popular's done ignoring her old friends, then yeah, I remember."

"I admit I was a bit of a prat this year," Mel made a face. "But I would never change you for a stranger! You're my best friend!"

"You say that all the time," The boy rolled his eyes, but put his arm around her shoulders anyway. "Keep saying it, it's nice to hear." 

Mel snorted, elbowing his side playfully.

She did splendidly on her examination, she was the first out of the four to be called in for her practical exam. Professor Marchbanks was delighted to have her.

"Dumbledore, aren't you?" She asked eagerly. "Yes, yes... Oh well dear, what are you waiting for? Do your best..." 

It was the first time in a while that her routine was exactly like everyone else's. Their classmates were buzzing with anxiety and none of them looked exactly happy, some older students would try to sell them fake brain stimula but Hermione was quick to put an end to it. Mel was strangely thrilled about being part of it all. She was, at last, just another student trying to pass the year.

All in all, even if she was just another student, there was no denying that she had way more advanced knowledge in some areas. Mel outdid her D.A.D.A exam and the only time she hesitated when answering a theoretical test was during Herbology, which if anything, turned out to be humbling. She didn't want to have all her success inflating her head again, she wasn't planning on becoming the next James Potter, no matter how close she'd been to be one that year.

They had a whole weekend ahead before they had to take the rest of their O.W.L.S, Harry, Ron, and Mel sat in the common room and played chess to release some tension. Mel was watching them, but she was too sleepy to pay attention and ended up taking a nap on Ron's shoulder.

Hermione entered the common room in such an agitated way that Mel gave a start, bumping heads with Ron.

"How were the runes?" Ron mumbled as he rubbed the side of his face.

"I mistranslated 'ehwaz'! It means 'partnership,' not 'defense,' I mixed it up with 'eihwaz.'"

"Ah well," The boy yawned, "that's only one mistake, isn't it, you'll still get —"

"Oh shut up. It could be the one mistake that makes the difference between a pass and a fail. And what's more, someone's put another niffler in Umbridge's office, I don't know how they got it through that new door, but I just walked past there and Umbridge is shrieking her head off — by the sound of it, it tried to take a chunk out of her leg —"

"Good," said the three.

"It is not good! She thinks it's Hagrid doing it, remember? And we do not want Hagrid chucked out!"

"He's teaching at the moment, she can't blame him," said Harry, pointing over at the window. 

"Oh, you're so naive sometimes, Harry, you really think Umbridge will wait for proof?" Hermione scoffed, leaving them there to storm off to her room.

"Such a lovely, sweet-tempered girl," Ron murmured.

Since Hermione didn't abandon her constant state of anger and anxiety, Mel's friends designated her as the study guide so she supervised everyone. 

Potions passed rather easily, she was getting quite good at it, though she was far from being the best. Care of Magical Creatures was a different story, she'd always been good with animals. On Wednesday she had her Astronomy O.W.L, and that's when things got ugly, though not in the way she was expecting.

Even if her love for the night sky had been damaged thanks to Divination, she was still fond of the stars, not that they could tell her anything about her current situation, but they were a peaceful and bright constant. It was comforting, even if the world was about to end, little would change outside their planet, and eventually, things would move on.

As she looked down to rearrange her parchment, her eyes landed on several figures moving towards Hagrid's cabin, one of them with a particularly stiff way of walking. Umbridge knocked on the cabin's front door and Hagrid opened it. Hermione was right after all, the woman was ready to chop one more head before the end of the term.

Harry was watching as well. Professor Marchbanks walked behind him and he quickly returned his eyes to the map he was making, Mel stayed still, looking directly to the cabin instead of the sky.

Someone yelled. Several students turned their attention to the school grounds and Professor Tofty cleared his throat.

"Try and concentrate, now, boys and girls — twenty minutes to go." 

Mel looked down and skimmed through her map, she had finished, she only needed to—

BANG!

The girl pushed her telescope aside and walked up to the railing, too worried to care about the points the Professors could take from her.

Hagrid's door had burst open and by the light flooding out of the cabin they saw him quite clearly, a massive figure roaring and brandishing his fists, surrounded by six people, all of whom, judging by the tiny threads of red light they were casting in his direction, seemed to be attempting to Stun him.

"No!"

"My dear!" said Professor Tofty. "This is an examination!"

"They're attacking him!" Mel responded.

"Be reasonable, Hagrid!" 

"Reasonable be damned, yeh won' take me like this, Dawlish!"

Why was an Auror there if Hagrid was only being fired? Why bring law enforcement to something as silly as a sacking?

Mel blessed Hagrid's half-giant origins because they kept him from getting injured, the spells would bounce off of him when thrown in disorder, but the Aurors were trained people, they started to attack him at the same time. Hagrid grabbed one of the men and threw him in the air, leaving him limp on the ground.

"Look!" Parvati gasped.

"Now, really! Only sixteen minutes left, you know!" Professor Tofty insisted.

Mel turned to leave the tower, Ron grabbed a hold of her arm and stopped her.

"He needs help!"

"Look!" Ron pointed out.

"How dare you! How dare you!" 

"It's McGonagall!" Hermione gasped.

"Leave him alone! Alone, I say! On what grounds are you attacking him? He has done nothing, nothing to warrant such —"

The girls around her screamed, McGonagall received a total of four stunning spells that threw her back, she didn't stand up again.

"Galloping gargoyles! Not so much as a warning! Outrageous behaviour!" Professor Tofty exclaimed.

"COWARDS! RUDDY COWARDS! HAVE SOME O' THAT — AN' THAT —" 

"Oh my —" 

Hagrid took two massive swipes at his closest attackers; judging by their immediate collapse, they had been knocked cold. 

Harry saw him double over and thought for a moment that he had finally been overcome by a spell, but on the contrary, next moment Hagrid was standing again with what appeared to be a sack on his back — then Harry realized that Fang's limp body was draped around his shoulders.

"Get him, get him!" 

"Ron, let me go!"

"If you go there you'll get expelled! What can you do against trained Aurors?"

"More than you can imagine!" She growled. "I said, let me go!"

Ron jumped back and held his hand with wide eyes. He had blisters on his palm as if he'd burnt himself on a stove. Mel froze, unable to know how on earth she'd managed to do that.

"He's gone!" Harry said out loud. "Hagrid's leaving!"

"That evil woman!" Hermione exclaimed. "Trying to sneak up on Hagrid in the dead of night!" 

"She clearly wanted to avoid another scene like Trelawney's," Ernie Macmillan responded.

"That cow," Mel was pale from both, fury and shock. Ron was doing his best to stand as far from her as possible. 

"Hagrid did well, didn't he?" He asked, careful to hide his hand from the others. "How come all the spells bounced off him?"

"It'll be his giant blood," Hermione frowned. "It's very hard to Stun a giant, they're like trolls, really tough... But poor Professor McGonagall... Four Stunners straight in the chest, and she's not exactly young, is she?"

"Stop," Mel felt an all too familiar coldness on the tips of her fingers. "She will get better, she's a tough woman..."

"Dreadful, dreadful," said Ernie, reminding her a bit to Lockhart. "Well, I'm off to bed.. 'Night, all."

"At least they didn't get to take Hagrid off to Azkaban," Ron continued. "I 'spect he's gone to join Dumbledore, hasn't he?"

"I suppose so... oh, this is awful, I really thought Dumbledore would be back before long, but now we've lost Hagrid too..."

"I... I have to... bathroom..." Mel looked around desperately, squeezing the fabric of her robes between her hands to dry them. "This is not — sorry —"

She ran, already gawking by the time she managed to open the door to one of the stalls. Everything inside her felt unsteady, she wanted to help Hagrid but she couldn't, and now they didn't have him, nor Dumbledore, and who knew if McGonagall was going to recover... 

She'd hurt Ron without meaning to — just like Ariana Dumbledore, she'd felt a bit of herself slipping away in her frustration and anger, she understood why it had been so easy for that girl to lose control... But she wasn't crazy! This had been an accident, and she was going to fix it... But what if things escalated before she could find a way to stop? 

Someone walked in and followed the noises she was making, she hadn't even tried to close the door to her toilet. Mel closed her eyes tightly, taking a shaky breath.

"I'm okay!" She said, but it was quite obvious in her voice that she was sobbing. "Please go!"

"How many times do I have to tell you —" She jumped at the sound of his exasperated tone, "not to run when you have an attack? It makes it harder to breathe!"

Mel scowled at him without getting up from the floor. It was disgusting, she was unable to calm her breathing, she couldn't reply properly. Harry crouched down next to her and she tensed, but the boy raised both hands to ease her, supporting one on the wall to not lose his balance.

"I won't touch you if you don't want me to," He said, "tell me what you need — Don't ask me to leave you, though — can't be on your own..."

Mel shook her head, swallowing harshly. 

"I can't — I can't breathe —"

"Yeah, well, you ran all the way to the bathrooms," He stated. "But it's okay —"

"I wanted to help... but Ron —" Her voice broke. "I hurt him..."

"He showed me," Harry said, then quickly added. "He's not angry."

"I'm going crazy — I can't control it —"

"You're not crazy," Harry moved slightly so he could face her. "Look at me — Don't think about it, just look at me..."

She didn't want to, didn't want him as the witness of her frailty, but it was the only person around. Mel looked up and focused solely on him.

"You're not crazy," He repeated, his eyes fixed on hers. "Going to the school grounds would've gotten you expelled."

Mel shook her head in a sort of childish manner, her breathing was reaching a reasonable rhythm. She closed her eyes tightly and pressed her lips together to stop crying, but it didn't work.

"What's your cat's name?" He asked in a clear voice.

"What?"

"Your cat," He said. "What's his name?"

"Grey..?" Mel picked up on what he was doing and continued. "One... One, two, three, four letters... G— R— E— Y... and he's black... B— L— A— C— K..."

"That's right," He smiled a little. "Good job..."

The counting and spelling was a game her mother used to distract Mel whenever she was feeling anxious. Harry knew it since they were kids. 

"Did you know..." She said weakly, "you're the only idiot who always sees me cry like this?"

Harry snorted, sitting down with his back against the wall.

"That can't be true."

"It is."

"What about Hermione?"

"No," She pushed herself away from the toilet and sat on the floor fully.

"Fred?" Harry looked at her with scepticism. "Erick?"

 "Maybe teared up a bit, but... I only cry like this when... do you really think I'm not crazy?"

"It's me who everyone's calling mental."

"Yes, but that's a lie."

"Same with you."

"Dumbledore said —"

"Dumbledore can't know it all, can he? Or he would've warned Hagrid about Umbridge before leaving."

"...maybe," She cleaned her face with the back of her sleeve. "I didn't mean to hurt Ron."

"He doesn't blame you," Harry stood up. "He said it was a foolish thing to do... he should've known better than to try and stop you."

"Don't say it like that," Mel frowned. "Like it's not a problem — I shouldn't... I should have better control —"

"You do," He said, helping her to her feet. "But you have to make mistakes sometimes, genius and all."

"I'm not a genius," She scoffed. "I'm a twat."

"Who said you can't be both?" Harry taunted. "This is the boy's bathroom, by the way."

"Oh blimey," said Lee Jordan, covering his mouth. "It's me's been putting the nifflers in her office, Fred and George left me a couple, I've been levitating them in through her window..."

"She'd have sacked him anyway," Dean shook his head. "He was too close to Dumbledore."

"That's true," Harry fell back on his chair tiredly.

"I just hope Professor McGonagall's all right," said Lavender.

"They carried her back up to the castle, we watched through the dormitory window," Colin Creevey informed them. "She didn't look very well..."

"Madam Pomfrey will sort her out," said Alicia. "She's never failed yet." 

"I doubt she would let herself die in such a way," Mel added calmly. "She won't leave this earth without making sure Umbridge gets fired... and neither will I."

Next Chapter —>

Taglist.

@dee123ksha @vampiregirl1797 @siriuslysirius1107 @stardusthigh @mikariell95 @vernon-dursley @thesuitelifeofafangirl @tomshollandz @kylosleftbuttcheek @reverse-hxlland @bloodorangemoonlight @omiwashere @t-rexs-world @just-here-to-escape-from-reality @21bruhs @i-am-scared-and-useless-bisexual @dielgonacoffee​

#twoidiots writing #hp fanfic #Harry Potter #harry potter fanfiction #harry potter xoc #WITT fic

[isidar-mithrim]

Letters from Hogwarts – Gus

For more than a thousand years, every summer, in the United Kingdom, the lives of a lucky cluster of eleven years old are radically changed.

These are the stories of four of them.

The first was that of a boy who lived for too long in the belief that he wasn’t a wizard, the second is that of a boy who lived for too long under the illusion of being one.

{Second installment of the “Letter from Hogwarts” series, but it stands alone}

{For this fic I have to thank immensely Hilda, Mah and @sazzy-hp-dw for their help and betaing! <3}</p>

{‘Letters from Hogwarts’ on tumblr: Neville, Remus and Hermione; on Ao3: Neville, Gus, Remus and Hermione}

__________________________________

Of missives, felines, and promises

He was chewing a delicious hazelnut biscuit when a decrepit owl glided uncertainly into their kitchen, landing with a thud right in front of him and making the milk wobble inside his mug.

Gus felt a surge of blissful joy and amazing relief, and with a thundering heart he hastily freed the thick envelope from the owl’s leg.

The owl took advantage of his distraction and pecked at his abandoned biscuit. In different circumstances Gus would have felt resentful, but this time the yearning to read the letter was too strong for him to be annoyed.

He opened it with trembling hands, cracking the wax seal without even looking at it, and with religious respect he took out the parchment covered in orange ink.

Chudley Cannons

Summer Camp for young beginners.

Your broom keeps unsaddling you, but you dream of becoming the Captain of your House Quidditch team?

You’ve never spotted a Snitch, but you want to break the record for the fastest catch?

You failed any attempt to get the Quaffle through the two hoops, forgetting that there was a third?

You are an excellent Beater, but your teammates keep losing teeth?

Then you’ve picked the right course for you! Fly with us and become a Champion!

Shooting Stars are supplied.

Detailed information about costs, schedules and locations of the course overleaf.

Gus put down the sheet of parchment and didn’t even bother to turn it over, a bitter taste in his mouth replacing the thrill of joy he had felt mere moments ago.

After the umpteenth humiliation suffered on the Quidditch pitch, his mother had suggested that he enroll for that stupid course promoted on the radio. I’m sure your broom will start listening to you, after a bit of practise, she had said.

He had dwelled on it for a while, but then she added a promise too sweet to be ignored. You’ll shine, at Hogwarts.

He had been full of optimism and good intentions when he sent the letter, and yet he couldn’t find the will to be happy with the news, his mind wandering towards fresh memories that stung more than he was willing to admit.

“Look! My Hogwarts letter!” Kresten had shouted ecstatically a week ago, running towards them and waving it with pride. They had spent the whole afternoon dreaming of their future Houses and wondering about wand woods and cores, betting on how many they would have to try before finding the right one.

The morning after, it had been Gus’ cousin Alan and their friend Jacob to celebrate, and then it had been Horatio’s turn.

“What about your letter?” Kresten had asked the following day, and Gus still wondered if he had only imagined the malice in his voice.

“Mum says it’ll arrive soon,” he had lied, his tone challenging in the hope of concealing the insidious anguish that had been creeping inside him more and more every day that went by without a letter.

“When will it arrive?” he had asked at dinner the day before.

“Soon, sweetheart.” His mother had given him a strained smile, before lowering her gaze to her plate.

Too caught up in the past, Gus was startled when his mum stormed into the kitchen.

“I’m warning you, you won’t go out until you’ve tidied up…”

She trailed off, her wide eyes fixed on the letter in front of him.

“Merlin… it arrived…” she murmured, as her bewilderment slowly morphed into amazement. “It arrived!”

She rushed towards Gus to squeeze him into a crushing hug.

“Oh, sweetheart, I’m so proud of you! You’ll see, they’ll be able to teach you the most incredible magic, at Hogwarts!”

Gus tensed at her excited words, but she didn’t seem to notice, too preoccupied with kissing his head and saying stupid, unwelcome things.

When she finally let him go, he glared at her, hoping this time she wouldn’t miss his gloomy frustration.

“It’s not my Hogwarts letter,” he hissed against the lump in his throat.

His mum froze, her eyebrows pursed in a confused frown. “What do you mean, it’s not?”

“It means it’s not!” yelled Gus with mounting rage. “It’s only,” he said, clenching the letter in his fist, “that sodding,” – he crumpled the hated parchment with his fingers – “Quidditch course,” – he crushed it between is hands – “you wanted me to join!” he shouted, throwing the paper ball in her face with forceful contempt, before running into his bedroom and slamming the door with all his might.

He was sulking on his bed when his mother knocked gently.

“Go away!” yelled Gus, but she ignored his protest.

He turned onto his side to face the wall, kicking it in frustration, and heard her light steps getting closer. He curled up in defense, pulling his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them. “I don’t want to talk about it,” he muttered.

He felt the mattress sagging when his mother sat down beside him, her side brushing his back, her fingers softly caressing his hair. He jerked his head away, but his mum didn’t relent, running her fingers through his strands with tender, placating movements.

His anger faded, replaced by a deep, aching sadness that pressed down on his chest and clenched his throat. Silent, spiteful tears ran down his cheeks, and eventually he was sobbing in his mother’s arms, his snot damping her shirt.

“It’ll come, you’ll see,” she murmured, and in the comfort of her hug it was easy to delude himself that it was true.

*

“Alan will buy his books and all the rest this Saturday,” Gus mentioned casually during lunch. “We could go too.”

His mum hesitated. “Why don’t we go this Friday, instead?”

“But I want to go with Alan!” he complained, annoyed.

“Saturdays are always so busy, though…”

“We can’t go alone. I don’t have the list.”

His mum smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Well, I can ask Aunt Agnes to give me a copy.”

He huffed. “Okay, then…”

*

Gus left Flourish and Blotts with his brand-new pewter cauldron full of interesting books.

“Now there’s only the wand left!” he said excited, walking towards Ollivanders with a spring in his step.

His mum gave him an exaggerated grin. “Of course, sweetheart.���

When he reached the wand shop, he rested his hand against the window and peered inside.

“Look how many there are, Mum!” he said, enthralled by the sight of dozens of shelves packed with small boxes. “C’mon, let’s go inside!”

He was about to open the door, when his mum held him back.

She was still smiling, but now her expression seemed strained… Fake.

“Shouldn’t we wait for the letter, before buying a wand?” she asked with a too high-pitched voice.

Gus swallowed. “Why?” he asked harshly.

His mother let out an awkward laugh. “Well, you see, nobody ever buys a wand before receiving the letter… I’m not even sure that it’s allowed, so we really sh–”

“But I’m eleven!” Gus cut her off. “I want to start casting spells!”

“You know children can’t do magic outside of Hogwarts, sweetheart…”

“But all my friends have! Horatio fell from his broom and bounced without breaking a single bone; Jacob once spilled pumpkin juice on Alan but he didn’t get wet; Kresten made the mud stains on his new trousers disappear, because he was scared his mother would ground him, and –”

His mother sighed, her forced smile fading. “Those… those weren’t real spells, Gus…”

“Of course they were!”

She shook her head. “They were just… just bursts of accidental magic,” she explained in a low voice. “You see, it’s normal for children to accidentally do wandless magic, from time to time… Every child does.”

“But that’s not true!” objected Gus, clenching his hands. “It never happened to me!”

“No,” said his mother, her eyes glassy, and Gus felt his stomach plummeting. “No, it never happened to you, because you… you are not a wizard, Gus…”

He looked at her in shock, shaking his head in betrayed disbelief, his mouth opening and closing without uttering any sound.

“I… of course I am… I… I have to be…”

His mother swallowed, her features crumpled in sorrow, and Gus hated her for this despicable show of weakness.

“I’m so, so sorry, sweetheart, I know I should have told you sooner, but –”

“YOU’RE WRONG!” shouted Gus, a sour taste in his mouth, his inside twisted in a knot. He couldn’t bear it, he couldn’t bear her, with her sickening lies and her deceiving smiles, and when she grabbed him from the shoulders, Gus wriggled free.

He ran away with angry tears running down his face, feeling like his whole world had just been ripped apart.

*

He was crying in a forgotten alley, his back pressed against cold bricks and his forehead resting upon his knees, when he felt something wet grazing his fingers.

He shot his head towards it and saw a black kitten brushing his tiny snout against his bare skin.

“Go away,” he mumbled, but didn’t move his hand.

The kitten probably sensed his lack of conviction, because it didn’t pull back, preferring to lick his fingers. It tickled a bit, but in a pleasant way, and Gus tentatively turned his hand over to caress its neck.

“Where do you come from, kitty?”

Its soft meow was covered by the rumors of hasty steps, and a moment later a girl with dirty blond hair darted into the alley.

She stopped abruptly when she saw him, her breaths deep and frequent, a hand pressed against her right side. When she lowered her gaze, her eyes went wide. “Tibbles!” she exclaimed, running towards Gus and lifting the docile kitten in her arms. “I was at the Magical Menagerie, and,” - she took a deep breath - “a nasty cat fled from the owner’s hands and scared him off,” she explained with a hint of resentment, taking another deep breath.

Gus nodded in understanding, feeling a bit sorry for her and for her kitten, but also for himself. He would have liked to stay alone with Tibbles for a bit longer.

“I searched for him in every alley,” said the girl. “Thank Merlin you found him.”

“It wasn’t me who found him. He was the one who found me.”

The girl threw him a suspicious glance. “That’s weird. He doesn’t like strangers.”

“Well, he likes me,” said Gus defensively.

She quirked an eyebrow, studying his face. “So it seems,” she conceded eventually, scratching Tibbles’ ears. “Anyway, I’m glad he isn’t lost. Mr Paws would have gone barmy if I had come back without him.”

Gus felt a sting of annoyance. “Is Mr Paws your father?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. If his own dad were still alive, Gus certainly wouldn’t call him by his surname.

The girl scoffed mockingly, and he didn’t know if he felt more irritated or humiliated.

He crossed his arms in a challenging pose. “What’s so funny?”

“He’s not my father, silly boy,” she clarified with a slightly patronising tone. “He’s Tibbles’ father. I have to bring him back to him, by the way, but you can come with me to the Magical Menagerie, if you like. You seem a bit lost.”

“I’m not lost!” he spluttered indignantly.

The girl shrugged. “Suit yourself, then,” she said, heading towards the entrance to the alley with Tibbles secured firmly in her arms.

Gus watched her walking away, but a moment later he jumped onto his feet, wiping his face with the back of his hands.

“Wait,” he called, rushing towards her. “I’m coming too.”

She shrugged again. “Fine,” she said, looking at him with an odd expression. “Do you want to carry Tibbles?”

Gus hadn’t expected the offer, and he nodded eagerly, stretching his hands to grab him. The kitten snuggled cosily in his arms, and this was all Gus needed to endure the endless, dull chatting of the girl, who had taken it upon herself to tell him everything about her crossbred cats and Kneazles.

The Magical Menagerie was smelly, noisy and packed with cages on every wall. There were animals of every kind and colour, from cats, toads, and rats to weird furballs and double-ended newts.

“Arabella!” exclaimed the witch behind the counter, pulling off a pair of heavy black spectacles with which she was examining an adult cat with black fur. “Did you find him?” she asked urgently, while the cat raised his head and meowed.

The girl pointing her thumb at Gus. “He did.”

The witch pressed a hand to her chest at the sight of Tibbles. “Thank Merlin,” she said with relief. “I’m sorry about what happened, dear. I won’t charge you for Mr Paws’ examination, and feel free to grab a packet of cat treats on your way out.”

“I will,” said Arabella without any trace of embarrassment, before taking Mr Paws from the counter. She then turned towards Gus, looking right into his eyes. “What’s your name, by the way?”

“Gus,” he said a bit defiantly.

“You’re the boy they’re looking for, then!” said the older witch, her eyes wide. “Your mother was here a moment ago, she was worried sick!”

Gus felt a rush of vicious satisfaction at these words. “Serves her right,” he muttered.

“Come now, lad!” scolded the witch. “I’ll go find her. You stay here.” She pointed a menacing finger at him before looking back at the girl. “Arabella, I’m sorry, but you’ll have to wait a bit more. I’ll show you the new kittens when this matter is solved.”

“It’s okay,” said the girl, nonplussed.

As soon as the witch was out of the shop, Gus dashed to the door, but only to find out she had locked it. He swore and kicked it, frustrated.

Arabella looked at him with curiosity. “Why are you avoiding your mum?”

“That’s none of your business,” he said, scowling. “Why do you know that witch so well?”

“Weren’t you listening?” she asked, annoyed. “I told you, I picked all my cats here. I want the seventh one.”

“What do you do with all these cats, if you’re only allowed to bring one to Hogwarts?”

For the first time, Arabella was lost for words. She lowered her eyes, swaying slightly on her feet. “I…”

“Do you really have six cats?”

“Of course I do!” she said indignantly, raising her head again to glare at him.

“Then how –”

“I’ve never been to Hogwarts, okay?” she cut him off aggressively. “Are you happy, now?”

He stared at her, taken aback. She was taller than him and obviously a few years older. “Why not?” he asked in a low voice, his heart thundering in his ears.

“Because I’m a Squib, that’s why.”

Gus had no idea what she was talking about. “A what?”

“Someone without magical power born into a wizarding family,” she said with impatience. “Are you taking the mickey or have you actually never heard of it?”

Gus stayed silent. Squib. So that was what people like him were called…

“I’m a Squib too,” he admitted, finally saying out loud what he had secretly known since forever. He felt relieved, in a way.

“Oh.” She didn’t look particularly bothered. “Well, that’d explain why Tibbles liked you, then. Cats love Squibs.”

“They do?”

“Yes, Albus Dumbledore told me so, in person. See, my parents know him.”

Gus was quite impressed to hear that, but he wasn’t particularly keen to tell her.

She rolled her eyes. “You know, Dumbledore?” She had spoken as if she was talking to a two-year-old. “Hogwarts’ Deputy Headmaster, the greatest –”

“I know who he is!” said Gus with resentment. Blimey, he had five Chocolate Frog Cards of him! Of course he knew who he was. Everybody did.

The girl’s miffed answer was lost, because at that moment the owner got back, his mother in tow.

“Gus!” exclaimed the latter, rushing to hug him. “I was so worried, I couldn’t find you anywhere!”

He didn’t answer, making sure to put on a reproachful scowl. When his mum looked at him with dismay, Gus felt cruelly pleased.

The owner stepped in, laying a hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you help Arabella pick her new kitten, lad?”

She had spoken with a conciliatory tone, and even if Gus hated to admit it, he was intrigued by the offer. He glanced at the girl and she shrugged, so he looked back at the witch and nodded. “Okay.”

“C’mon, then,” she said briskly, leading them behind the counter. One by one, they took all the cats and Kneazles out of their cage, no matter their fur colour or their age, and Gus and Arabella held them all in turn.

“What about that one?” asked Gus with surprise when the witch skipped one of the cages.

“She’s the one that scared Tibbles,” said Arabella with bitterness.

“Can I see her?”

The witch looked at him with raised eyebrows. “Are you sure? I can’t guarantee you that –”

He nodded with decision.

“Very well, then.” She opened the cage with cautious movements, and the kitten showed her sharp teeth, jerking a paw forward with her claws out.

“Nasty kitty!” yelped the witch, withdrawing her hand.

Gus got closer, intrigued. Ignoring his mother’s frightened “No!”, he bent forward and took the dust-coloured kitten, who snuggled meekly in his arms, purring happily.

Gus turned and met the baffled gaze of the three women in the shop. “Can I keep her, Mum?” he asked. Only silence followed. “Mum?”

“Of course, sweetheart,” she said, coming back to earth. “Of course you can keep her.”

*

His mum knocked on the door and peered into his room without waiting for an answer.

“It’s Alan,” she said with a smile. “Why don’t you go and say hi?”

Gus kept caressing his kitten’s fur. “Tell him I’m not here,” he said, lowering his gaze and hoping she would take it as a hint to let him be.

“It’d do you good to go out with your friends, once in a while…”

“I don’t want to see them.”

“Gus… They care about you… I’m sure they’d understand, if you talk to them…”

“Nobody cares about Squibs,” he said stubbornly. “Except cats,” he added on a second thought.

“Please, Gus…”

“I said, tell them I’m not here.”

“Okay,” murmured his mum, defeated.

He thought she might have been crying, but he didn’t bother to check.

*

Gus refused to meet his friends for the rest of the summer. He would rather stay alone all the time than tell them why he wasn’t going to Hogwarts, or why he would never own a wand.

He made a habit of watching them play, perched on his windowsill, his cat always at his side. He couldn’t say when he had begun to resent them so much, so agile on their broomsticks, so happy and carefree, so good at reminding him how different he was.

“One day, we’ll go to Hogwarts too,” he promised to his cat on one of those awful afternoons. “And I swear that not a single student will dare make fools of Mrs Norris and Argus Filch.”

#fanfiction #fanfic #ao3 #letters from hogwarts #hogwarts letter #missing scene #canon compliant #pre-canon #pre-hogwarts #squib #cats #minor character #one shot #long post

[alindakb]

Letters to my Parents - Saturday 16 July 1993 - by Alinda

Saturday 16 July 1993

Dear mom and dad,

I’m back at the Dursleys and the summer holiday is not even halfway done and I already want it to be done. As soon as I had come home Uncle Vernon had locked my spell-books, wand, cauldron and broomstick in the cupboard under the stairs. I have a lot of holiday homework I need to get done, so this was a big problem. And don’t be mad, but I picked the lock of the cupboard the first chance I had and grabbed the books I would need to do my homework. And now I study in the middle of the night. At least Hedwig is allowed to fly outside this year, so I can send and receive letters from my friends.

The last weekend at school was the best of the entire year. On Saturday morning Draco had to participate in an impromptu Quidditch match against Gryffindor. I went to watch it with all my friends and it was very exciting and fun, having both Gryffindors as Slytherin friends around me, screaming at each other in a friendly manner over the game. Ron and Greg are both very enthusiastic about Quidditch. Hermione and I just laughed at them half of the time for their crazy accusations of foul play. Blaise didn’t seem to be interested in the game at all and was talking with Daphne about summer holidays plans. Halfway to the game, Neville, Seamus and Dean joined us on the stands and joined in with the cheering for their house team.

I love watching Draco play. He’s really good and looks so beautiful on a broom. And now even more since he stopped putting so much grease in his hair and it falls more natural around his face. Mom, dad, I’m sorry, I’m hopelessly in love with him.

In the end, Slytherin won the match and Draco came to greet me with a sweaty kiss before heading to the showers. Daphne and Hermione wooed us and started laughing. Ron looked like he had just witnessed a murder being committed to the amusement of his brothers Fred and George (who are on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, but didn’t seem all that upset with losing, their captain Wood, on the other hand, walked away with an angry scroll as soon as the game was finished because Terence had caught the Snitch). Come to think of it, that was our first kiss in front of others, I hadn’t realised until now. I wonder if Draco thought about that.

When Draco came back all showered and cleaned up we spend the rest of the afternoon hanging out on the stands until it was time for dinner. During dinner, we all sat down together at the Gryffindor table this time and Blaise his friend Luna (who’s in Ravenclaw) and Ron’s little sister Ginny joined us. We almost all eat together now, either at the Slytherin or the Gryffindor table. I hope we keep doing that when next year starts. It’s good to see everyone getting along. And even better is the fact that nobody cares that Draco and my hand are entwined non-stop. I miss his hand in mine here at home. I miss him a lot. He hasn’t written to me yet and he said it would be better if I would wait with writing to him until he was sure his father wouldn’t destroy my letters before he would be able to read them.

That last Saturday, Draco and I also had a party for our birthdays in the evening. It was a big success. All our friends came and Terence had enchanted a gramophone to play music non-stop. Fred and George had somehow managed to steal food from the kitchens and we danced and eat till it was time to go back to our common rooms because of curfew. We also took the time to open up all the presents our friends had gotten us. Hermione had gotten me a Broomstick Servicing Kit, with a large jar of Fleetwood’s High-Finish Handle Polish, a pair of gleaming silver Tail-Twig Clippers, a tiny brass compass to clip on our broom for long journeys and a Handbook of Do-It-Yourself Broom-care.  I know Draco was a bit jealous when he saw how happy I was with that present. The others had gotten me books about Quidditch or writing supplies. And Daphne had gotten me a scarf in Slytherin colours. Draco was also happy with his gifts that also included books about Quidditch, an identical scarf as mine and hair products. We ended with the gifts we had gotten each other and I was very nervous when I handed mine to Draco. He unpacked it and just stared at it for a long time without saying anything and I was afraid he didn’t like it until he looked at me with tears in his eyes saying it was perfect. According to Hermione, it was so cute to see us smile at each other like the world was perfect.

I had asked Dean to make a drawing of Draco and me. He draws with normal Muggle pencils, so the pictures don’t move, but he captured us in a happy perfect moment. And I’m so happy that Draco likes it. He said he will keep it under his pillow all summer so he can look it every time he misses me and can’t sleep because I’m not in his arms.

And his present for me was also perfect. My last letter I had to scrawl the last lines on the back cover of my notebook since I had ran out of pages and Draco has bought me a new notebook. It’s from a Muggle store, to make sure there would be no evil spirit in it to hurt us. And Draco has decorated it with magic so the cover changes colour according to my mood when I pick it up. It’s really awesome and just what I needed. He also got me a quill and ink set to write with. Hermione told me it’s a really expensive set and that I should cherish it. I told her that even if had been the cheapest quill in the world it would still be the quill I would cherish the most.

Before I knew it, it was already the 1st of July and we were on our way back to London with the Hogwarts Express. Our little group shared two compartments, walking in and out of them since one was too small to hold all of us. Daphne and Hermione are starting to become friends, talking about things girls find interesting and we boys don’t care about. We played Exploding Snap and practised disarming each other by magic. And at some point, Draco and I left them all alone to find an empty compartment so we could kiss some more before we would reach King Cross. I just hope it won’t be our last kiss for a long time and that we can find a way to see each other this summer, or at least that Draco will come back to Hogwarts in September and I can see him again. I wish he would write to me and tell me how things are going at his house.

Draco didn’t want to leave the train when we arrived at King Cross. He was afraid to face his father. He had written to his mother about what had happened in the last weeks of school and he hadn’t heard back from her and that scared him. It’s not normal for his mother to not write back. I told him that everything would be okay, that I would still love him even if he would go to Durmstrang. That we could write letters if that would happen and that we would find a way to see each other. What I didn’t tell him, was that I dread it just as much as him if we would not be at the same school anymore and that I’m scared of losing him over all this. Letting go of his hand before we stepped off the train was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, not knowing when I’ll be able to hold it again. But I need to believe we will be okay. I need us to be.

I still have bad days, where everything just seems to be too much. Draco gives me the strength to face those days and without him here, well some days I don’t leave my room at all. The Dursleys don’t care, they are happy to see as little as possible of me. Miss Davis has given me some exercises to do this summer that will help me fight the negative thoughts. She says they are Muggle techniques, so they don’t acquire me to use magic. I have to write down all my negative thoughts I have in a notebook she has given to me and then write behind them why they are not true and what I can think about instead to make it better. And I also have to write down when something good happens, so I can remember all the good things in my life when I’m having a bad day. I haven’t written down a lot of things yet since I’ve been mostly just been alone here. Writing down the negative thoughts is easier until I have to figure out why they aren’t true and what I should think instead. But I’m trying and that is all Miss Davis asked of me.

I’ll keep you informed of how my holiday is going and will let you know as soon as I know how Draco is doing.

Love you both,

Harry James Potter.

#letters to my parents #drarry #Harry Potter #summer break #dursley family #Draco Malfoy #depressed harry #but he's getting better #birthday party

[istanlena]

Where Did You Go? - Part 3

"Not too shabby Danvers," Sara said with a smirk on her face. "You say that every time! I wasn't even able to get a single hit on you." Kara replied with a groan. She was getting slowly agitated. It had been a year since she accidentally opened up a portal to Earth -1 and was stuck there without her powers.

The first day there she got there she was almost attacked by some gang members hiding around the block. Thankfully, Sara and the rest of the legends were there to help her. The fact that she ended up in another universe freaked her out, especially without her powers.

No one could figure out how she lost them, but Kara hasn't been able to use them for a year. It was like losing a huge part of herself; she was no different than a human now, bleeds, breaks bones, gets hurt and tired. Of course, she was still in better shape than an average human due to all the training with Sara, league of assassins style.

"Badass" as Sara likes to call it.

"You've been here for a year and a half and your better than I was four years into the league training. But of course you can't be me, sweetheart I've been reincarnated before and spent six years killing people, I'm just teaching you in a more accepted way. I think."

"Yeah, I know."

"Go get some rest now. We need you ready if anything happens."

Kara nods at her and goes to the lounge where she finds Mick sitting on the bean bags completely drunk, and a drunk Rory means you can rant or do whatever you want and he won't even notice. (Mostly because he's blackout drunk) She takes a seat next to him and grabs the bottle of whiskey from his hands. Nothing was meant to end up this way. She was supposed to stop being Supergirl and move to Asia without anyone being able to find her.

She was supposed to get over the heartbreak, embrace being selfish, live for once. Not only that, but she lost her powers, the only thing that makes her different. She remembers being in her apartment and wishing that they would be stripped away of her so she can be healthy. It turns out normal is overrated.

The memory of flying through the plane fields at incredible speed was still fresh in her mind what she didn't realise is that she was flying so fast to the point where she opened up a portal to earth one, her guess is, when she opened up the portal it exhumed all of her powers while transporting her to another universe.

She was flying so fast, but to her, it's was like the world was going in slow motion, the wind was hitting her face making her hair fly back behind her, she felt free at that moment and then that blue light appears and beams at her she tries to stop moving towards it except she couldn't. It was too fast and all of a sudden she finds herself travelling through galaxies until another portal opens up. Suddenly she finds herself on another earth. Powerless, a human.

No one has been able to help her, they've spoken to team arrow, team flash, even firestorm couldn't help her, but in the end, she got what she wished for, her powers gone, and she was in an entirely different universe where her family and friends couldn't be able to find her.

She snaps her head to the direction she heard the footsteps coming from"Hey Kara, give it to me. What's bothering you, I need something to take my mind off that stupid, stupid Nate." Kara was surprised to hear that come out of Zari's mouth. She was shocked, and she found it a bit amusing.

"Wait for me!" She heard the distant voice that belonged to Sara call out. Once Sara arrived and took a seat next to Zari and Kara, the three girls started gossiping next to a drunk blacked out Rory. "So what's the crinkle for?" That got Kara to groan.

'I swear I'm going to get botox for this!' She thought. So she told them, told them how she missed her family and friends.

"I don't know what I was thinking about moving away. They probably have stopped trying to find me right now. I don't deserve any of them. I was such a brat and an even worse friend. I mean I told this girl that I was Supergirl after weeks of knowing her, but I didn't tell my best friend for three years!" She exclaimed.

Kara didn't know why she still cares. Lena hates her; she made that clear last time they spoke.

"I hate you, Supergirl. Don't come after me; were done here. I can't believe that once upon a time, I would have died for you. At least the person I thought you were. Goodbye, Supergirl." She winces at the memory. Lena's voice was filled with hate. She treated Kara as her enemy. She talked to her like she was Lex.

"I've seen her talk to people before like that but never to me. Even when Supergirl and Lena were arguing she still never sounded so..." Kara paused, trying to find the right word. "so cold." She finished with a deep inhale.

She thinks back to the reasons why she left in the first place. Every moment spent crying, every moment in the phantom zone, all the sadness and fear comes rushing back to her. The silence and the years spent in that small pod with nothing and no one but herself and her thoughts. The memories of watching her planet disintegrate and blast right in front of her slowly broke her every time. The fear she felt when she got knocked off her course — not knowing what was going to follow. It all rushed back to her that day. So she told them everything.

Of course, they already knew, but they also knew it haunted Kara every day of her life. She regretted many things. Such as sending James to check on Lena's lab and using her last name against her. She wasn't the victim here. Lena was, and although her she knew that and she knew she shouldn't be feeling upset or even caring a damn about Lena anymore, her heart broke every time she thought about her.

"You loved her, didn't you?" Sara asks with sympathy. " Yes, I did, and I ruined it. Like I ruin everything good that happens to me. Not only that I put her in danger and caused her brother to go after her."

"But you did for her safety!" Zari differentiates.

"Yes but she doesn't know that! I hurt her deeply, and although I did it for her safety, she was always at risk either way. I made it worse. She didn't need protection from the world; she needed protection from me. The moment she started trusting people and opening up, I ruined it." It hurt to think that. It hurt to know that the beautiful kind Lena was forever gone and replaced by the stiff untrusting Luthor she was so scared of becoming, and yet Kara hoped that wasn't what her ex-best friend and the love of her life turned into. She was much better than her family.

She just hoped Lena still remembers all the good things about herself.

"No one is better at wrecking things than me, trust me if I got a second chance, so will you, and your much better than me. You're a great person. You always put the safety and feelings of those you care about in front of yours. That makes you a hero. Even if you don't have powers."

Kara wanted to believe that she did, but she couldn't. So she just offered a smile towards the two girls and finished her whiskey.

"That my whiskey?" The captain questioned. "Well... It was." Kara replied with a grin. "Blame it on Rory he had it first."She stated as she walked away from them. The last thing she heard when she was walking out of the room was Zari laughing her head off and Sara telling her she'll regret that.

                                                                                  ⇔ EARTH 38 ⇔

      Lena, Alex and Winn have been using all of their free time trying to Locate the superhero. Saying it was difficult would be the understatement of the year. Winn showed Lena all of her last transactions the last time people saw Supergirl in public before she disappeared. They went through her diaries looking for any clues, as presumed none were found. At least they thought nothing was there. The only thing those diaries did was break Lena's heart a little more and make her a little more resentful and angry towards those who knew about Kara's identity before she did.

        She told Nia after weeks of knowing her but never considered revealing her secret to her best friend for three years. Ouch.

One thing Lena did find was a bunch of letters that were never sent out in an envelope in the back of the diary. She snuck them into her pocket discreetly making sure neither Alex or Winn noticed them. After hours of going through pictures, articles, and hacking into her bank accounts (that were closed by the way) they didn't find anything. Not even little traps set to take them somewhere else. Alex and Winn said their goodbyes to Lena, and they decided they would meet up again the coming Saturday until then they would all be working to find anything that might benefit them in tracking down the lost girl.

     The following hour after the two DEO agents left Lena found herself cuddled up in the corner of her lavish sofa pulling out the letters Kara had written but never sent out over the months. She knew this was a bad idea. Lena has not forgiven the Superfriends or Kara yet, but she never wanted any of the dead. Thinking of Kara being found dead didn't make Lena feel good or fill the hole in her heart left by her traitorous best friend. Ex-best friend. Sam took that spot long ago, but Lena would be kidding herself if she said that she didn't miss Kara.

    She realised kara/supergirl was always there for her. In different respectives of course, Supergirl there doing all the heavy lifting and saving kara physically while Kara was still there emotionally. She would play to Lena's every whim. It felt good knowing that there was somebody who would do anything for her anytime. If Lena wished for pizza and movie night, kara would be there. If she wanted to walk in the park, Kara would be there. When Lena was in danger, Supergirl would always show up at the right time, she would always save Lena no matter what it took, and Lena never understood that and she still doesn't. (She didn't understand why Supergirl would risk her life saving a Luthor  when her family wast the one almost killing her using Kryptonite.)

She took out the oldest letter in that envelope since it was dated back to the time when Lena had just found out who Kara was and started reading the letter carefully so she wouldn't miss anything. Your only doing this to find her it's not personal; it's just the right thing to do.

Lena,

I wish I were the one who told you; I wanted you to find out from me, but you didn't. I know you hate me, and right now I hate myself too. I can't understand the pain I have caused you, but I am so so sorry. Truly. I thought I was shielding you from the danger by not telling you. Clearly I wrong, people will always target you because of your last name, and you were already associated with me so I should have informed you, but I didn't, and yes I regret that, but I don't think any good would have come out of it, either way, you would have still been in more danger. So yes, I would rather lose my best friend than risk your life.

It's been a week now since you've confronted me and ended our friendship. That day was the worst day of my life. I cried for hours, and then I realised something. I hurt the both of us, you more than me, so I swore by Rao and your name that I would never let myself get close to someone else because they all get hurt in the end. I swore I would learn how to live without you because you told I should.

I remind myself of your words every time I think about visiting you. You told me to leave you alone, so I am. Although I am writing, I know you won't receive it because I won't send it. I won't invade your privacy, and I won't come after you. From now on, I will only see you if you are in danger. I will only go after you to save you. I've stopped listening to your heartbeat. I've tried my best to finish my superhearing but sometimes when I'm flying around patrolling the city I can't help but hear it. I can't help but listen to you sobbing on your couch while drinking wine.  Every time I see you, I was about to go to you, but I remind myself I'm the one who put you in that situation.

Game night isn't the same without you. It sucks, so I have decided to stop going. Plus I didn't win anything since you weren't there and everybody already had their partners. James offered to partner up with me but honestly comparing him to you, he doesn't know me, and I don't know him that well, and two he sucks at chess and practically every game because he doesn't focus. I miss seeing you get all competitive.

You also sold Catco, I would be lying to say that it didn't hurt when I saw some new random lady sitting in your chair, she's sweet, but she's not you. She doesn't know how this place works; she randomly assigned us some articles and kicked us out of the office.

I need to take my mind off of this; I'm going to fly around a bit. There are these beautiful plane fields in Germany, a vast space of grass and hills no one around for miles and the farthest place I can think off. I won't go for long just a couple laps, and I'll be done, things are pretty mellow for Supergirl right now, but Kara has a tough long day in front of her.

Always and forever your guardian,

Kara.

Lena folds the letter and places it back in the envelope fiddling with it before putting away thinking that this was enough for the day. She takes a few deep breaths to stop herself from crying but that all goes out the window when she lays down in her bed and starts sobbing at the reminder of everything that has happened in the past year.

#supergirl #CWsupergirl #supercorp #lena luthor #kara danvers #alex danvers #letters #fanfic #post reveal #superfriends #part three #cw #danvers #katie mcgarth #melissa benoist #thecwshows

[maraudersbish]

Snitch (oliver wood x oc)

PART ONE

Pairings: Oliver wood x phoenix Black Warnings: none Words:1035 Note: im going to keep on switching pov between Phoenix and oliver.

•▪•

Oliver's pov

It’s six in the morning and its Saturday so the classe starts at nine. We use this free period to practice for the next quidditch tournament. Ever since Professor McGonagall introduced me to Harry and ask him to be on the team, I was thrilled. The boy is a natural, and when I hear that his father was one of the best seeker in Hogwarts I couldn’t be more happier. It gives me hope that Gryffindor will win the cup this year. Though, im still a bit scared that those Slytherins will beat us again. Because I know that Phoenix, the captain of the Slytherin’s team will literally do anything to win.

And that scares me.

“What’s wrong with you Ollie? you’ve been starring at that window for like decades” said one of my teammate Fred.

I’m not even surprised anymore. They had done this since their first year in Hogwarts which lead me to the conclusion that the twins could popped out of thin air and disappear like they were never there.

“Since when you’re here?” I ask him calmly.

“Decades ago” said Fred in a ‘duh’ tone. I just rolled my eyes at him and get ready for the practice.

I put on my robes and head downstairs, to the common room and wait for the others to come. When everybody’s present. We quickly head to the broom closet to get our brooms and walk to the field.

“Planning on doing something this morning?” a VERY familiar voice ask me.

When we arrived at the field I was greeted by a swarm of green and my mood immediately drops.

“We already told professor McGonagall that we will use the quidditch pitch for practice this morning Black” I said facing her without showing any emotion.

“And we already told professor Snape, he gave me this letter for you to give to McGonagall” she handed me a letter from Snape, like always. I don’t even have to read it anymore because I already know what it meant.

“No” I said unfazed. “Its our chance to practise, your team have had enough practise” I told her with a straight face.

“There is never enough practise” She said with a piercing stormy eyes. “We are nearing the tournament, and we need to practise”

“So do we!” at that time I really couldn’t hold my anger anymore. She has stepped out of the line.

“Then practise somewhere else” the girl brushed it off like it was nothing.

“No. You really are a pain in the arse aren’t you?! Do you not understand that other people also need to practise for the tournament?! You’re so fucking selfish and cold harted,  I think your father would be really proud of you” I said glaring at her.

For a second there I thought I saw something flashed in her eyes, but it dissappear in a flash.

“You know nothing about my dad!” She said with a wand raised to my throat.

“Whoa” I hear someone said behind me. It was George, his eyes are locked to her’s, hands up as he approached slowly.

“Put that down, Black. You don’t want to do this, I know you dont” He said carefully.

To my surprise, it worked. Phee lower down her wand (gosh, its weird to call her by her old nickname I gave her all those year ago), but her eyes are still burning with hatred.

I wonder what went wrong between us.

We were friends for sometime, we would talk about quidditch, about how much she wanted to be in the quidditch team, she would ask me advices to get in the team ( I was the first one of us to be in the quidditch team) I would show her the quidditch gear and her eyes would sparkle. but then she left me. She gave me the cold shoulder, we didn’t talked for months.

Then the next thing I know she’s sitting on a broom stick in the field during tournament.

'She did it’ was the first thought that came up to my mind. I gave her a smile when I saw her, her eyes didn’t sparkle, and I was given a curt nod in return.

“lets go guys. come on Ollie, we can practise tonight” said Fred.

“No, this is not okay. This behaviour have to stop. This is unfair!”

“If I were you, Ollie, I’d listen to the red head” The dark haired girl said, folding her hands on her chest with a challenging look on her face.

“You know what? Fuck this, Fuck you” I spat.

I give Fred a death glare and head back to the castle, I’m pretty sure my face looks like tomato right now because I was that angry and that embarresed. Ollie?! Just wait and see Fred.

I stomp my feet like an angry child on the way to my room. And when I’m finally there, I lay on my bed and close my eyes, trying to blow off some steam. After I cooled down a bit, I quickly think of a revenge plan for Fred.

I reach under my bed to get something special for Fred for embarrassing me in front of the quidditch team, in front of her.

I’m pretty sure that the twins are already in the Great Hall for breakfast, they were never late when it came to food.

After I get what I needed, I quickly run to the Great Hall, my eyes search for two read heads and when I finally able to spot them, I took a seat next to Fred, he give me a small nod before continuing to munch on his breakfast.

I tried to make a conversation so that I didn’t look suspicious, and when Fred is not looking, I pour a little something into Fred’s pumpkin juice, and wait for the reaction.

“Umm Fred?” Ask Angelina one of my teammate, eyes focused on his hair as I trying to hold smile.

“Yes?” Asked Fred without suspecting a thing.

“Your hair, its not ginger like the usual… its green? and Oh my God, it bloody stinks” said Angelina, covering her nose.

“What?” ask Fred, face scrunched in confusion.

Then his nose twitch and he make a gaging sound. “What the-” he screamed, hands trying to get whatever it is in his hair. That’s when all attention in the Great Hall focused on Fred. Then the Great Hall erupt in laughter. Honestly, I feel really bad for doing what I did.

“did–you — do – that?” ask George in between laughter.

I just nod my head, uncertain of the reaction George is going to give me.

“Oh, that’s brilliant Ollie… is that the potion I gave you for christmas?”

“Yes”

“Brilliant! now I don’t have to test my potion. Because its obviously working” he said, wiping a tear from his eyes before drawing his wand and mutter a counter spell, and Fred’s hair turn into his normal red.

The laughter died down because professor Dumledore tell us to eat peacefully. While eating, I couldn’t stop myself from stealing a glance to the Slytherin’s table. I found Phee’s gaze, its not her challenging gaze, that’s weird.

I raised my eyebrows at her, and that made her stop looking at me. But her not looking at me doesn’t make me avert my eyes from her.

I’m glad I didn’t avert my gaze because if I did, I wouldn’t have caught her looking at me from the corner of her eyes.

She saw I was looking, and her pale skin turns scarlet, she turns her attention to her friend and I turn my attention back to my food.

“Someone’s happy” quip George, eyes locked on his drink.

“Who?” I asked, dropping my fork to my plate

“You” he smirked, eyes glistening woth mischief.

“Me?” I asked, flabbergasted.

“You were smiling like an idiot” he said as if he pointed out the obvious.

“I was not” said, getting weirdly deffensive.

George gives me a look and continue eating his meals while the others are just staring at me with a confused face.

It’s six in the morning and its Saturday so the classe starts at nine. We use this free period to practice for the next quidditch tournament. Ever since Professor McGonagall introduced me to Harry and ask him to be on the team, I was thrilled. The boy is a natural, and when I hear that his father was one of the best seeker in Hogwarts I couldn’t be more happier. It gives me hope that Gryffindor will win the cup this year. Though, im still a bit scared that those Slytherins will beat us again. Because I know that Phoenix, the captain of the Slytherin’s team will literally do anything to win.

And that scares me.

“What’s wrong with you Ollie? you’ve been starring at that window for like decades” said one of my teammate Fred.

I’m not even surprised anymore. They had done this since their first year in Hogwarts which lead me to the conclusion that the twins could popped out of thin air and disappear like they were never there.

“Since when you’re here?” I ask him calmly.

“Decades ago” said Fred in a 'duh’ tone. I just rolled my eyes at him and get ready for the practice.

I put on my robes and head downstairs, to the common room and wait for the others to come. When everybody’s present. We quickly head to the broom closet to get our brooms and walk to the field.

“Planning on doing something this morning?” a VERY familiar voice ask me.

When we arrived at the field I was greeted by a swarm of green and my mood immediately drops.

“We already told professor McGonagall that we will use the quidditch pitch for practice this morning Black” I said facing her without showing any emotion.

“And we already told professor Snape, he gave me this letter for you to give to McGonagall” she handed me a letter from Snape, like always. I don’t even have to read it anymore because I already know what it meant.

“No” I said unfazed. “Its our chance to practise, your team have had enough practise” I told her with a straight face.

“There is never enough practise” She said with a piercing stormy eyes. “We are nearing the tournament, and we need to practise”

“So do we!” at that time I really couldn’t hold my anger anymore. She has stepped out of the line.

“Then practise somewhere else” the girl brushed it off like it was nothing.

“No. You really are a pain in the arse aren’t you?! Do you not understand that other people also need to practise for the tournament?! You’re so fucking selfish and cold harted,  I think your father would be really proud of you” I said glaring at her.

For a second there I thought I saw something flashed in her eyes, but it dissappear in a flash.

“You know nothing about my dad!” She said with a wand raised to my throat.

“Whoa” I hear someone said behind me. It was George, his eyes are locked to her’s, hands up as he approached slowly.

“Put that down, Black. You don’t want to do this, I know you dont” He said carefully.

To my surprise, it worked. Phee lower down her wand (gosh, its weird to call her by her old nickname I gave her all those year ago), but her eyes are still burning with hatred.

I wonder what went wrong between us.

We were friends for sometime, we would talk about quidditch, about how much she wanted to be in the quidditch team, she would ask me advices to get in the team ( I was the first one of us to be in the quidditch team) I would show her the quidditch gear and her eyes would sparkle. but then she left me. She gave me the cold shoulder, we didn’t talked for months.

Then the next thing I know she’s sitting on a broom stick in the field during tournament.

'She did it’ was the first thought that came up to my mind. I gave her a smile when I saw her, her eyes didn’t sparkle, and I was given a curt nod in return.

“lets go guys. come on Ollie, we can practise tonight” said Fred.

“No, this is not okay. This behaviour have to stop. This is unfair!”

“If I were you, Ollie, I’d listen to the red head” The dark haired girl said, folding her hands on her chest with a challenging look on her face.

“You know what? Fuck this, Fuck you” I spat.

I give Fred a death glare and head back to the castle, I’m pretty sure my face looks like tomato right now because I was that angry and that embarresed. Ollie?! Just wait and see Fred.

I stomp my feet like an angry child on the way to my room. And when I’m finally there, I lay on my bed and close my eyes, trying to blow off some steam. After I cooled down a bit, I quickly think of a revenge plan for Fred.

I reach under my bed to get something special for Fred for embarrassing me in front of the quidditch team, in front of her.

I’m pretty sure that the twins are already in the Great Hall for breakfast, they were never late when it came to food.

After I get what I needed, I quickly run to the Great Hall, my eyes search for two read heads and when I finally able to spot them, I took a seat next to Fred, he give me a small nod before continuing to munch on his breakfast.

I tried to make a conversation so that I didn’t look suspicious, and when Fred is not looking, I pour a little something into Fred’s pumpkin juice, and wait for the reaction.

“Umm Fred?” Ask Angelina one of my teammate, eyes focused on his hair as I trying to hold smile.

“Yes?” Asked Fred without suspecting a thing.

“Your hair, its not ginger like the usual… its green? and Oh my God, it bloody stinks” said Angelina, covering her nose.

“What?” ask Fred, face scrunched in confusion.

Then his nose twitch and he make a gaging sound. “What the-” he screamed, hands trying to get whatever it is in his hair. That’s when all attention in the Great Hall focused on Fred. Then the Great Hall erupt in laughter. Honestly, I feel really bad for doing what I did.

“did–you — do – that?” ask George in between laughter.

I just nod my head, uncertain of the reaction George is going to give me.

“Oh, that’s brilliant Ollie… is that the potion I gave you for christmas?”

“Yes”

“Brilliant! now I don’t have to test my potion. Because its obviously working” he said, wiping a tear from his eyes before drawing his wand and mutter a counter spell, and Fred’s hair turn into his normal red.

The laughter died down because professor Dumledore tell us to eat peacefully. While eating, I couldn’t stop myself from stealing a glance to the Slytherin’s table. I found Phee’s gaze, its not her challenging gaze, that’s weird.

I raised my eyebrows at her, and that made her stop looking at me. But her not looking at me doesn’t make me avert my eyes from her.

I’m glad I didn’t avert my gaze because if I did, I wouldn’t have caught her looking at me from the corner of her eyes.

She saw I was looking, and her pale skin turns scarlet, she turns her attention to her friend and I turn my attention back to my food.

“Someone’s happy” quip George, eyes locked on his drink.

“Who?” I asked, dropping my fork to my plate

“You” he smirked, eyes glistening woth mischief.

“Me?” I asked, flabbergasted.

“You were smiling like an idiot” he said as if he pointed out the obvious.

“I was not” said, getting weirdly deffensive.

George gives me a look and continue eating his meals while the others are just staring at me with a confused face.

#oliver wood fanfic #oliver wood #oliver wood x reader #hogwarts #magic #harry potter #hermione #ron weasley #fred weasley #george weasley #angst #slow burn #golden trio #fan fiction #fluff

[islareeveswriting]

STORY PAGE

PREVIOUS | NEXT

INSTAS

Sleep is the best way to forget.

Molly had been forgetting every night for nearly a week. It took longer than normal for Molly to fall asleep, her mind not quite able to shut off, overthinking things with Clive; how she wished she’d really seen him the day before the operation, how she regretted letting Clive convince her she didn’t need to see him before he went down to theatre, how on earth she was meant to write a eulogy for someone whose name she was struggling to say. But eventually she fell asleep, and she forgot for a few hours, before waking up when the memory would come back to her like the pain of raw, open cut that wouldn't heal. Molly had begun to wonder if it would ever heal, if she ever wake up and feel normal for longer than the five seconds it took to remember Clive had died.

That Saturday morning was different. Sleep had come easier, and not just because she was exhausted, her mind just quietened a little better, and when she woke up her body and mind actually felt rested. It took the normal amount of time for Molly to think about Clive, but where before it felt like a sinkhole had opened up in her stomach for her heart to fall through it just felt like a part of her. It didn’t feel nice, or familiar, or at least like anything she wanted to be familiar with, but it felt easier to live with than constant nauseating anxiety. Like a torn muscle that had never quite healed, or a scar from something that still glinted in the sun, a wrist that continued to click even after the break had haled, only noticeable when she twisted the wrong way, never forgotten, but not always holding her back. Clive wouldn’t want to be the thing that kept her inside trying to distract herself, he’d want to be the one that sent her one her way to bigger and better things with a smile on her face, and it felt nice waking up that morning feeling just half a step closer to that.

Molly rolled onto her back, the morning sun streaming through the slightly parted curtains, blinding her and making her just about open eyes scrunch shut, before she opened them slowly, adjusting to the light in her own time. It had been days since she’d woken up in her own bed, days since she’d woken up without Harry beside her, and she was getting used to the large king sized bed, and the warmth his body. Going back to her hard mattress, small by comparison, and cold sheets wasn’t something she was looking forward to, though she had told Harry she’d go back home Sunday night. She wanted to see her friends, and she needed to get back to normality, back to her routine, and she wanted to walk to the cafe on Monday morning from her flat, spend some time with Louis and go off to university for her one of her last seminars of the year, not like nothing had happened, but like she could carry on despite it.

However, that didn’t mean she didn’t miss Harry when she reached out for him on the opposite side of the bed and he wasn’t there. For a second her heart started to race, though she didn’t exactly know why, but it slowed at the sound of him in the kitchen. It had become clear to Molly over the months she’d spent with Harry that he was an early riser, and she found herself smiling at nothing but the sound of him doing whatever he was doing. They were threading into each other's lives without really even noticing, little habits and quirks overlooked until Molly took a second to realise them.

After a big stretch and quick cuddle up into the soft duvet she’d shared with Harry, the fabric of which was knitted with the scent of him, post shower and clean of aftershave or deodorant, just the smell that lingered over him, Molly peeled herself out of the bed and headed for the kitchen. Harry was there in his rugby shorts and hoodie, his surname large over the back of it in bright blue capital letters. There was a quiet call of music coming from his speaker, as always, and he was softly singing the words, something Molly had only noticed he did when he thought he wasn’t being watched or when he was in such a deep concentration that he forgot he wasn’t alone.

“Morning,” Molly called, and Harry quickly snapped his head up to Molly, the blush on his cheeks impossible to hide from. Endeared, Molly smiled sweetly at him, leaning one arm onto the breakfast bar. “You’ve got a good voice,” Molly told him, and it wasn’t a lie or an over exaggeration. On the very few occasions she managed to catch a glimpse of him singing, she’d enjoyed it, the rough but soft tone of his voice, the simplicity of it.

“Thank you.” Harry continued to blush, turning back to the coffee machine that was whirring to life. “Did you want a coffee?” Harry asked, reaching up to the open cupboard for a mug.

“Please,” Molly nodded. From behind, Harry looked as broad and bold as he always had, and Molly remembered watching him walk across to the bar in the Haunt and feeling her stomach flip as the fabric of his shirt had stretched tight across his muscles. His body still did the same to her, and the stirring was far more intense now than it ever had been before, knowing her hands had been over that skin, knowing there was still more to see, more to touch, more to unwind from him. But from his side profile, exposed by his tied back hair, Molly could see he was still blushing like a little boy who had been caught doing something he shouldn’t have. “H, you’re still blushing,” Molly told him quietly, but Harry just shrugged, not even turning to look at Molly. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you,” Molly told him.

“You haven’t,” Harry told her, glancing back for just a second as black liquid started to drip from the coffee machine into one of the mugs. “Just no ones caught me singing before,” Harry admitted. Molly nodded leaving the conversation there, she didn’t want to go on about it, suspecting that if she ever wanted to him singing again, it would be best to not make a big deal of how much she liked hearing it. “Want to come down to the rugby later?” Harry asked, handing a mug over to Molly, and turning back for his own.

“Erm, yeah, you playing?” Molly asked, lifting the mug to her lips and blowing down onto the frothy coffee that was the complete opposite of Harry’s plain, black one.

“No, Shane and Niall are though, Ellie will be there, and Amanda, and the others,” Harry told Molly, standing on the other side of the worktop from her. By the others Molly knew Harry was referring to Katie, someone who Molly found the more time she spent with, the less she looked forward to seeing her again. It wasn’t that Katie had ever been outwardly nasty or horrible to Molly, but in a way Molly thought maybe the snide comments and daggered looks were worse.

���Ok,” Molly smiled with a nod, taking another sip of her coffee. “How come you’re not playing?” Molly asked with a slight dip of her eyebrows. She knew it was getting near to the end of the season, and the league games were getting less frequent, but she assumed Harry would want to be playing in what was left if he could.

“Got dropped,” Harry grumbled with a shrug that might have been believable as nonchalant had his jaw not tightened and his eyes hadn’t pointedly avoided Molly. Molly sighed, and twisted her jaw, staring at Harry waiting for him to look her way. He did, eventually, and until he did Molly didn’t say anything, just let him read her face, waiting for an explanation. “Shane’s the captain, he saw the bruises, doesn’t want me on his team,” Harry explained, eyes dropping to his coffee before he lifted it again and took a large mouthful.

“So you told him about it?” Molly asked, but Harry shook his head as he swallowed his coffee.

“I didn’t need to,” Harry told her. Molly thought she could see where things were going, where the conversation was going but she let him take it there, refusing to lead the way. “I met Shane through the fighting, but he was the one who got me out originally, I introduced him and Ellie, Ellie made him give up the fighting, and he made me, if I wanted to be Lola’s godfather, I had to give it up too, and so eventually I did,” Harry explained basically, with as little detail as possible, clearly not wanting to get into it.

“Yet you still went back,” Molly pointed out, and Harry only sighed heavily, not able to look to her again. “How am I meant to believe you won’t go back for me, if you can’t keep away for Lola?” Molly asked, carefully, cautiously almost quietly. Harry’s head snapped up, staring back at her with dark but softened eyes. There was anger bubbling under his surface at the accusation in Molly’s words, but it wasn’t exactly without reason, and Harry knew that, and it stung.

“Baby,” Harry spoke softly, almost whispered, but Molly shook her head, trying to shake off the way his voice got under her skin when he spoke like that, made her soft, eased her down. She wouldn’t let it, she needed his honestly more than she needed his gentleness. “Don’t say that, I’m not going back, nothing is going to make me go back, I promise you, it was a stupid one off mistake, and I w-don’t want to go back,” Harry promised, reaching across the breakfast bar and taking Molly’s hands from her mug. “You have to believe me, I don’t know how to make you believe me, but Molly I am promising you, with everything I am, nothing in this world will make me want to go back there.” Molly found herself swallowing and nodding back at him, her eyes caught up in his. “I’ve got everything to lose if I go back, and I’m not going to lose everything again,” Harry told Molly and she took a deep shaky breath her throat tightening. “Come here,” Harry encouraged, rounding the worktop to get to Molly and wrap her up in his arms.

Silence engulfed them just as much as the smell of Harry caught up in Molly’s nose. It was the same scent that had clung to his bedding, but somehow it was stronger, trapped in the synthetic fibres of his clothes. The silence was blissful, not full of unspoken criticism, or judgement, or concern, or worry, or anything either of them were scared to say. It was just silent, and it was the sort of silence Molly was getting used to putting herself back together in, it was the sort of silence Harry had bought into her life and now she never wanted to be without. No one else stilled her soul as much as he did, no one else made her remember beyond the moment she was in so she could look beyond the here and now, no one else Molly had ever met had that sort of silence in them, normally only words that didn’t reach quite the same pinnacle as Harry’s silence. Molly trusted Harry not because she had to, not even really because she wanted to, or needed to, but because anyone else could have a million words, and they’d never make her feel as safe and calm as Harry did in his silence.

After what felt like hours wrapped in Harry’s arms, but what was really moments, Molly got herself up from the stool and finished her coffee, taking herself off to get ready for the day. With anyone else, the sort of conversation she’d just had with Harry, would be whirring around her mind all day, disturbing every in between moment of nothing; the waiting for the shower to get warm, the checking her reflection in the mirror, the pulling her socks on. Perhaps she should have asked questions, and perhaps later she’d wish she’d asked them, but in the moments after the conversation, she didn’t feel the need to. She felt satisfied that Harry had promised her he wasn’t going back to the place that left him broken, and bruised, and bleeding. Anything else was secondary, anything else could wait, at least until a time when her mind wasn’t filled with other more consuming things, and trying to focus both on having a good day with people she considered friends, but also on not overthinking that.

It worked, in fact it was easy to more or less forget her troubles when she was around a group of people who undoubtedly knew what had happened, but didn’t ask about it. Amanda gave her a tighter hug than normal, and there were a few sympathetic smiles thrown around, Shane briefly asked how she was doing, and Niall stood with his arm around her shoulders, holding the top of her arm tightly as they stood around in a circle for a little while post game, but other than that they carried on as normal, which suited Molly to a tea. The banter made her laugh as it always did, a grass stained Niall trying to tackle Harry to the ground even had her breathless with laughter, and there didn’t seem to be a moment she wasn’t smiling. The sun was beating down, keeping her bare legs warm, and it felt nice to be surrounded by more than just the company of her university work for a little while.

The home team lost the game, but it didn’t particularly dampen anyone’s spirits, everyone enjoying the sunshine and cold beer too much to worry about it for too long. It was cooler in the club house, and though it was a nice break from the heat, Molly missed the sun almost instantly, and her exposed limbs didn’t take long to spot with goosebumps. She stood at the bar with Katie and Amanda, waiting to be served, though she knew she’d be waiting a little while, everyone else seemingly having the same idea and heading inside for refreshments as the team's ate their food.

It was noisy, and Molly found herself glancing over her shoulder to Harry who was sat around a table with the others, Lola sat on his lap, pulling at his long ringlets that were handing over his shoulders, held out of his face by the sunglasses he’d been wearing. She couldn’t help the smile, it just happened at the sight of him grinning down at Lola who was chirping up at him about something or other. She continued to watch as he placed the little girl on the floor, and got to his feet to chase after her and the ball she’d obviously had her eyes on. The smile on Molly’s face widened, and she found herself completely distracted from whatever it was that Katie and Amanda had been talking about.

“He’s so good with her,” Molly smiled, her voice quiet, almost just breathing, unable to keep it inside when she watched Harry chase Lola around the club house, her excited squeals bouncing around the place. No one seemed to mind, most people just ignoring it entirely, anyone else just smiling in Harry and Lola’s direction every now and again.

“Yeah all things considered, he’s a good dad,” Katie added, a similar smile on her face to that had been on Molly’s until Katie’s comment. Molly felt herself freeze as her eyes narrowed, her mind wrapping around Katie’s words, assuming she’d misheard, or Katie’s words had just got muddled on the way out.

“Godfather you mean?” Molly laughed nervously, turning her head to Katie. Amanda was already staring back in Molly’s direction, eyes gauging into the back of Katie’s skull, and Molly wondered if Katie could feel it, though she didn’t seem to pay any attention to Amanda as she turned to look at Molly. There was a look on her face, a knowing look that she was trying to hide behind surprise, behind regret, but it wasn't working. There was a flinch of a smirk that gave her away, that told Molly she hadn’t misheard, and Katie hadn’t tripped over any words. Really Molly knew then, but she still wanted to hear it, and she was still hoping she was wrong. There was an ominous feeling in her stomach, like she was about to open the old door at the back of the room in a horror movie to some awful demon. She knew what was coming, but she couldn’t walk away, and slowly she walked into it, breath shortening, nostrils flinching, eyes already stinging.

“He hasn’t told you he’s Lola’s dad?” Katie asked with a tilt of her head, and Molly saw Amanda’s throat clench around swallowing nothing. Molly shook her head, her stomach tightened like she was having to hold herself together. Part of her wanted to leave then, move out of that place quickly, but she couldn’t, she felt frozen, and she couldn’t take her sore eyes off Katie.

“He told me she was Shane’s,” Molly whispered, rolling her lips together and biting down on the inside of her cheeks. No one was going to see her cry.

“He was going to tell you, he panic-”

“Don’t make excuses for him,” Molly chimed in quickly, eyes flicking to Amanda angrily. It wasn’t her fault, but Molly could feel herself falling through water, like she was drowning and she didn’t want to hear anymore that might weigh her down. “You knew he’d lied?” Molly asked though she didn’t need to, Amanda just swallowed on nothing, Katie suddenly forgotten.

“Listen to what he has to say M-”

“I’m leaving,” Molly announced, grabbing her jacket and bag from the bar where it was laid and marching towards the door, not looking back for anyone. There were voices calling her name, more than one, but she didn’t care for any of them. Her vision was beginning to get hazy, and her breath was shuddering out of her slightly parted mouth as she headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” It was Shane, pulling her back to him. “Molly, what’s happened?” Shane asked quickly, obviously seeing the tears in her eyes that hadn’t quite made it down her cheeks. “Are you ok?” He asked again. Molly just shook her head.

“I need to go,” Molly choked, pulling her hand out of Shane’s and turning for the door again.

“Lolly.” It was Harry, the voice gave it away, but so did the name he chose. The air hit her in the face, it was warm and stuffy, a typical nearly summers day, the weather trying to break into something hot and bright, but not quite able to. “Lolly, where are you going?” Harry called again, right behind her.

“Fuck off,” Molly spat, still storming through the car park towards the gate at the end. It felt too far away, and it didn’t matter how many steps she took or how quick they were, she didn’t seem to get any closer to it.

“Lolly what’s happened?” Harry asked, his voice was getting closer and suddenly Molly hated his long legs and his large strides. Why could he always catch her? Why was he alway right behind her? She  suddenlyloathed it, but seconds ago it was something she’d not even really paid any mind to. “Lolly,” Harry called again, and Molly froze, because it seemed he really didn’t know. She swallowed and turned back to him, eyes full to the brim with tears she was fighting to keep there, her lip already wobbling before she even said a word, staring back at him, steps away from her.

“Lola is yours,” Molly started. “Lola is yours and you lied to me,” Molly all but screamed, tears falling then, as she broke, her head lifting to her mouth, covering it, biting down on one of her fingers a little, discreetly, trying to choke back the sob that threatened her. Harry’s arms dropped lower, shoulders falling, his breath clearly catching, and his eyes closing as his face creased up. Molly let her hand drop from her face and her breathing got heavy and hard, chest visibly rising and falling.

“Lolly,” Harry breathed, but Molly shook her head, not saying no, but because she was disappointed and hurt and didn’t have any words, so she just turned away. “Lolly please,” Harry begged.

“Fuck off,” Molly hissed, glancing over her shoulder.

“Lolly-”

“No Harry, you’re not listening to me,” Molly seethed turning back on her heel and and nearly crashing into Harry thanks to how close he’d gotten, but she didn’t want him that close so she shoved her hands into his chest forcing him back, stumbling over his own feet but finding his balance quickly and glowering back towards her. “Fuck off, I’m going to get my things from yours, and I’m leaving, and I don’t want to see or hear from you again, ok,” Molly told him, trying to keep the fire inside her that kept her angry at him alight, rather than giving away to the heartbreak and the remorse that was trying to make her literally breakdown. She’d never felt like it before, it was hurting physically as well as emotionally, her chest felt tight and it ached, her stomach was taught with ripped muscle that was beginning to pang from how long it had been like it. The last person she ever thought she’d feel that let down by was standing in front of her letting her down, letting her fall from the greatest height and into deep, deep water that she couldn’t find the strength to tread.

“Don’t say that,” Harry begged quietly, taking a tentative step forward, staring back at Molly, his own eyes beginning to glitter with the start of tears. Molly had managed to blink hers back but they were sore and tired as if she’d cried a thousand of them, and she could bet they were red. “I can fix this,” Harry promised in a whisper, taking another step, but Molly shook her head, rolling her eyes.

“No you can’t Harry, you lied and you cannot take that back, you’ve done it, lie in your bed,” Molly sneered through gritted teeth. The more words that spilled out of his mouth the angrier she felt herself getting, she’d never felt a fire inside her like it, but it was roaring, and he was only adding fuel.

“I was scared, I panicked,” Harry flustered, and Molly just laughed sarcastically.

“Scared of what exactly?” She asked, lips pursed staring back at Harry with a tilted head.

“That’d you’d freak out and I’d lose you,” Harry admitted as if that made it ok. But Molly really laughed then, looking to the sky and shaking her head as her shoulders wobbled with her laughter.

“And what do you think lying to me has achieved?” She asked with a knowing smirk.

“Why are you being like this? You don’t have to talk to me like that, I know I’ve-”

“Are you joking?” Molly asked, scrunching her nose and narrowing her eyes. “You’ve lied to me about your daughter, and you want to make this about how I’m talking to you, you’re a fucking idiot,” Molly told him. “You have any idea how mortifying that was? Apart from anything else, I feel like an idiot,” Molly told him, breathing slower, trying to calm herself, refusing to let him feel like the bigger person in any way at all. She didn’t want to lose her head, she didn’t want to give him the upper hand because all she could do was sneer and laugh at him and use vile words to get at him. The truth of what he’d done was far more condemning than any of that.

“You’re not an idiot, I am, Katie just wants to r-”

“Oh no, no, no, no,” Molly interrupted shaking her head. “Don’t you dare try and blame this on her, this is your fault, you did this, and it’s yours to own and deal with, not hers,” Molly told Harry, her voice suddenly quiet and controlled by comparison. Harry just swallowed standing taller, and rolling his lips together. Molly turned then, heading back towards the gate away from Harry.

“Don’t go,” Harry called after her, and Molly could hear his footsteps echoing hers.

“Don’t follow me Harry, just don’t,” Molly warned, but his footsteps didn’t stop, just continued fast after her everytime she upped her speed.

“Lolly-”

“No,” Molly told him finally, spinning back one last time and catching his eyes with hers. A tear fell out of the corner of his eye, rolling down his cheek slowly, he didn’t flick it away and he sniffed back harslly, swallowing tightly making his throat throb. “We’re done,” She told him, and turned away, finally letting her own tear drops out, holding her lips together, crying quietly as she walked away from the rugby club towards the bus stop where she’d get on, get off at Harry’s, get her things, and leave his place.

There wasn’t a single part of her that wanted to look back. She’d never had that before, and she never thought she would. She never thought she’d be heartbroken enough, hurt enough, wronged enough, to be put off someone so quickly. Nothing inside her wanted to see Harry, nothing wanted to talk to him, or listen to what he had to say. In her head she was going over a hundred and one other things she could have, might have said to him, but if she never got the chance she’d be just as satisfied. In that moment, if she never came into contact with Harry again it would be a minute to soon.

The stairwell was as cold as ever, despite the heat Molly knew her skin was holding onto, and the flat felt even colder. It never felt cold, but Molly almost shivered as she slammed the door behind her and marched for the bedroom. They hadn’t had time to make the bed before they left, and the sheets were as they’d left them as Harry had tackled her to the bed before she’d managed to pull her top on, and peppered her with kisses. It had made her giggle and squeal happily, trying to push out from under his body as he held her playfully tight underneath him, refusing to let her get away. The thought nearly suffocated her, knowing they’d been on that bed just hours ahead of Harry pulling the walls down around them, hours away from Harry pushing her away completely.

At least it felt like completely.

Molly couldn’t see any way anything could be made right. It was so wrong, so broken. It was beyond the point of repair. Knowing they’d gone through so much time together, and he’d been living a lie, made him feel like a different person. It felt like she was looking at a stranger's bed, stood in a strangers home, because it didn’t feel like she really knew who Harry was. The Harry she’d gotten to know, unwound herself for, tangled herself up in, wasn’t the Harry who stood in the car park and begged her to listen to what he had to say. The Harry she thought she knew, could be honest with her, could tell her anything, or at least didn’t fabricate lies to keep her as far from the truth as possible. They Harry she knew trusted her as much as she trusted him, but she realised she didn’t know who she trusted, but it certainly wasn’t the person she thought it was.

It didn’t take Molly long to shove all her things back in her bag and she dragged it out to the kitchen where all her paperwork was still laid across the table and breakfast bar, where she’d been working for the past few days, where she’d started to scribble together initial ideas for Clive’s eulogy. It stung and her eyes pricked, but she just blinked it back as she crumpled the piece of paper in her hand, full of words Harry had helped her come to, and threw it in the bin. The coffee cups were still on the side from the morning, and the wine glasses from the night before. Molly might have put them in the dishwasher had she not been so eager to get out of his place. She’d told him to stay away, but even though she felt like she didn’t know Harry, she did know he wouldn’t be able to say away, and let her walk away without a fight. That just wasn’t his nature. That just wasn’t Harry.

The picture Lola had drawn for Molly was magnetised to Harry’s fridge. She stared at it for a few seconds. Scribbles that to anyone else would mean very little, but to Molly it was very clear it was her, and Harry, and Lola - and his daughter. She took a deep shaky breath. It wasn’t that he was a father, it wasn’t that he had a child, it was that he’d lied. It was complicated, of course it was complicated, and she knew that, she could understand that. And she could understand why it wasn’t Harry’s opening line, or even the second or third, or even information he wanted to disclose a month down the line. But to lie, to manipulate the truth so much that it barely even resembled the reality, was something else. To want to hide who he was so much, that he was willing to implicate so many of his friends, made Molly more furious than upset.

There were so many dots that Molly had never connected but as she stood staring at Lola’s drawing, she started too. The green eyes they shared that she couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed. The way Ellie had told her to call if she had any questions. The Harry had outright told her Ellie had got pregnant after they’d fooled around. How had she missed it? Of course she knew it was because she trusted him, because she never thought he could be that deceitful. But she didn’t see that, she simply felt like an idiot. So she just angrily grabbed Lola’s drawing, slid it inside the cover of one of her books, and began to throw her things into her bag, frantically chewing at her bottom lip, mind a messy jumble of far too many thoughts for anything to feel simple.

Without warning, but perhaps because Molly had been so caught up in her head, the door opened and slammed shut in seconds. Molly looked over her shoulder though she didn’t really need to, it was obvious who it would be, and in seconds he was storming into the living area. Molly looked away from him, stuffing things into the Long Champ bag she’d taken her uni things out of a few days ago. Harry’s breathing was heavy laboured, as if he’d run at full speed from his car, up the stairs into the flat, but Molly knew part of it came from anger.

“Lolly don’t do this please,” Harry begged, moving closer and dropping his keys on the breakfast bar Molly was stood at.

“I specifically told you not to follow me,” Molly reminded him, dully, not looking up from her bag to see his face. There was a part of her that knew it would be a lot easier for him to make her listen if she caught his eyes, a lot easier for him to make her hear him out, and in that moment she didn’t want to, she didn’t want anything in her head that later might make her doubt herself.

“What? So you expect me to let you just walk away without putting up any kind of fight for this, I don’t want you to leave,” Harry told her, leaning over onto his elbow, trying to look at her face, trying to get her to look back at him.

“You should have thought about that before you lied like you did,” Molly told him, her voice still monotonous as if every emotion she might have been able to muster had been drained out of her.

“Can you look at me at least?” Harry asked, scoffing a little bit on his words, but Molly just shook her head, eyes still focused fully on the packed bag, her hands clutching either side of it. “Fucking look at me,” Harry bellowed then, and Molly bit her jaw together, twisting her neck to look at him, nostrils flaring as well as her emotions. “Don’t do this to me Lolly, just let me explain,” Harry grieved. Molly stood silent, standing straighter and staring back at him, her jaw tight, lips pursed, eyes narrowing a little.

“Ok, you have two words,” Molly told him, not giving him room to barter before she moved on; “Is that little girl yours?” Molly asked, folding her arms across her chest. For a second Harry didn’t say anything, clearly working out where this was going, he sighed, and looked down to the floor.

“Yes,” He told her through the sigh.

“And did you tell me she was Shane’s?” Molly asked again, Harry lifting his eyes back to her, looking up through eyelashes, his head still dipped towards the floor.

“Yes but-”

“Excellent, that is all I need to know,” Molly told him, twisting to grab her bag from the side all in one movement. She headed towards the door where the small shoulder bag she’d taken out with her was sat waiting with the shoes she’d kicked off out of habit. She still had her jacket on, but she was feeling the cold.

“Lolly, please, listen to me,” Harry was back to begging, and after Molly had dropped her bag by the door she turned to look at him, because despite it all she couldn’t just walk away, there was too much in her head to say, too much she wanted him to hear and know, too much to just leave behind without saying a word. It was when she turned back she noticed his hand, fingers pushing his hair back, but all four knuckles were split and there was a red haze over his skin. Molly’s nostrils twitched and the lump in her throat had her swallowing on nothing as her eyes moved down to his face.

“Where have you been?” She asked darkly. She’d been back at his flat for nearly an hour, alone, she hadn’t heard from him in that time, but he’d stormed in, breathless and with a smashed hand. She wasn’t sure what else she was meant to think all the things she did know considered.

“With Niall,” Harry told her, a little taken back by the strange question.

“Your hand,” She pointed out, nodding towards it, dropped now by his side. The congealed blood was still visible and she could feel herself beginning to feel a confusing mix of emotions that wasn’t just the anger and hurt she’d been feeling before. It only got worse as Harry let silence linger on, a heavy sigh from him breaking it, and pulling her eyes back to his face away from his hand.

“I hit a wall outside the club,” Harry told her quietly, shamefully. Molly rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I was angry Ok, I was angry I wasn’t the one to tell you, I was angry Katie did that when she knew I hadn’t told you yet, I was angry at myself for letting this happen, and yes I hit a wall, you’re not going to use it against me,” Harry told her.

“I don’t need to use it against you, you’ve done enough as it is,” Molly told him and she saw it grate over Harry, kissing his teeth and hanging his tongue from one canine. Molly didn’t particularly care. The mood she was in, the way she was feeling, she wanted him to feel it too, she wanted him to hurt too, she wanted to know how it felt to be let down by the one person she truly believe she could trust not to do that. It made her question her instincts, her belief in people, that she could be so wrong, so many times, and never see it coming. Everytime it hit her like a runaway train, and she was fed up of being the one left on the tracks.

“Can you please just listen to what I have to say?” Harry asked with a sigh, deflating with it.

“Oh sorry yeah, let me just sit down so you can explain to me how you lied about your daughter, because you assumed I’d freak out?” Molly shrugged, and Harry didn’t say anything so Molly carried on. “And how this is like what? The third massive lie you’ve told me since we met?” Again Harry said nothing, just swallowed her words like the bitter pill they were. “When does it stop? When do you just come clean and quit trying to hide all the stuff you’d rather ignore? I can’t be with someone who is constantly trying to figure out how to hide who he is from me, and won’t let me make up my own mind about the pieces of himself he hates, I can’t,” Molly told him with a shake of her head, hands flailing wildly as she spoke. “This is far worse that the truth, having me believe that Lola is your goddaughter, that Shane is her father, for all this time, making me look an idiot-”

“No one thinks-”

“That’s what hurts Harry, that’s your undoing, not the fact that beautiful, wonderful, amazing little girl is your daughter, the fact you couldn’t tell me she is, and you lied about what she is to you, is what I can’t cope with,” Molly told him, her voice getting quieter as Harry shrunk back. Harry nodded, and once again licked his teeth. Molly knew it wasn’t her he was frustrated with, it was himself, and the truth of her words.

“So, as a twenty year old student, what you’re looking for in a guy is a single dad who fucked a girl under a pier one night after too much to drink, is too weak to own up to that, is too weak to take on that responsibility, let her walk out of his life without a care, and is too scared to be with another girl in case he messes up her life too?” Harry asked shooting back at Molly. Molly swallowed it down, because even though his tone didn’t necessarily suggest, Molly could see how much the truth of it all hurt him now. It was hard to see him like that, and she wanted to look away, but she couldn’t.

“Better that than a stranger,” She told him quietly, Harry just scoffed though, shaking his head. “I’m serious, I feel like I don’t even know who you are.” That time Molly watched as he breathed in, holding it at the top, hearing, really hearing what she was saying. She didn’t know him. She didn’t know who he was, she thought she did, but it was becoming crystal clear she had no idea. The Harry she thought was hers, was a character and possibly nothing like what lay underneath the mask he wore for her. For all she felt she knew, he could be a completely different man stood in front of her in a flat that had started to feel like home, but very quickly felt like anything but. “You’re more than all that stuff Harry, and I thought you respected me enough to at least let me see the real you, and to tell me the truth,” Molly told him honestly. “When you realise what you have to offer, is far greater, and far bigger than anything in your past, anything you’ve done or any of the mistakes you’ve made, the better, but I cannot wait any more, I can’t do this anymore,” Molly told him, bending to pick up her bags.

“Don’t you dare,” Harry choked, stepping forward quickly.

“Don’t threaten me,” Molly spat. “I can’t believe you let it come to this, and I can’t believe you let her be the one to tell me,” Molly sneered, and Harry shook his head, tears pooling in the corners of his eyes. “Makes me wonder if you ever planned on telling me,” Molly admitted.

“Of course-”

“And if you didn’t than you and I obviously doesn’t mean quite as much to you as it does to me, and I’ve been there before, I’m not doing it again,” Molly told him, shrugging to the tote onto her shoulder. Harry was just shaking his head, staring at her dumbfounded and breaking.

“Lolly,” He whispered.

“Don’t call me, don’t come near me or try to contact me, I don’t want anything to do with you,” Molly told him, and she felt it rip through her like bullets as she said it. If she was honest, she didn’t know if she truly meant it, she didn’t really know if she wanted to walk away, but in that moment it was all she could do, not to scream and cry at him and drop to the floor in a heap of shattered parts. So she left, and she didn’t look over her shoulder, and she didn’t check her phone when it buzzed constantly from her bag on the bus home, she didn’t even turn it on silent, knowing the contact photo of him might be the thing that called her bluff. She kept to her word, and she got home, and she collapsed in Jimmy’s arms, and wondered how the man she loved could leave her feeling so broken, and so hurt, but still like she wanted to know him.

All she wanted to do was sleep. Sleep and forget. But she didn’t think sleeping would be that easy, and she knew forgetting certainly wouldn’t be.

Just gonna sit back and wait for you to all hate me forever. I mean it had to happen right? And at least Molly didn’t just look the other way again right? RIGHT? Please say right, 

Anyway cannot wait to hear your thoughts and feelings on this, get in that ask box, or message me and scream at me about them. I’ve got a few as well lol.

Hope you all have a fab weekend <3

#dive #TALK TO ME #ask box open #and I want your thoughts #and your feelings #and your theories #come and chat #harry styles #harry styles fan fic #1dff #harry angst #dark harry

[until-theend-oftheline]

On Her Mind

Pairing: Sebastian Stan x Reader (kinda)

Warnings: Pinning, Crappy Ex. Rachel - she is a warning in herself.

Word Count: 1300ish

A/N: This is part of my LLL verse. I strongly encourage you to read Escape before this one  

Betaed by: @sebs-potato - I didn’t ask her. I just assumed she was gonna order me to let her again :P

***My fics are not to be saved nor posted on any other sites without my express written permission.***

Lifelong Love Letter Masterlist

It had been ten days since your relationship with Brad had ended and two days since the party where you had met Sebastian. It wasn’t the first time you and Brad had ended your relationship. Which made your best friend and bandmate Rachel more than a little suspicious by you spending every free moment at the studio on your phone.

The fact that you weren’t quite yourself didn’t help matters. You seemed sad and distracted even if you tried to hide it, she knew. See rest of the world might not but she did. You saw that on her face when she sat down next to you as Dean was busy changing the strings on his guitar.

“Brad is texting you again isn’t he?” she asked, making your head snap up from your phone to glare at her.

“No! Well, he did. Yesterday but I haven’t answered him,” you answered her truthfully. You also had no intention of answering him. For the first time since your on and off again relationship with him had started, you felt free of him. You knew he wasn’t the only man that wanted you and you were tired of his drugs and endless excuses. He had never hurt you physically, but he had called you every name in the book and you were done. He wasn’t the one occupying your thoughts. Very far from it.

“Good. You’re better off anyway,” Rachel told you with a small smile, before frowning again. “You’re not thinking about answering him are you?”

“No,” you groaned, but you couldn’t really blame her. She had been the one to pick you up every time you had left him in tears and she had been there to witness every return. She hated Brad but had been fairly civil towards him for your sake.

“Good,” Rachel repeated but was still looking suspiciously at you. “Then why are you on your phone all the time?” She asked but before you had a chance to answer she snatched the phone from your hands to see what you were doing.

“Give it back!” you hissed at her but she held it out of your reach.

“Why do you have it open on Chris Evans contact information? Ohmygod do you have a crush on Captain America?” she teased.

“What? Ew! No! Chris is like my brother! Don’t be gross,” You instantly pulled a face at her, which was enough to convince her she had been wrong.

“Then what?” she mumbled, managing to hold your phone out of your reach accessing your phone’s history in spite of your struggles to prevent just that.

“Who's he? And why are you looking at millions of pictures of him online?” she turned to phone towards you, confronting you with a picture of Sebastian’s smiling face. Your heart instantly leaped into your throat and you angrily snatched the phone back from your annoying friend.

“No one,” you grumbled but Rachel simply raised an eyebrow at you, telling you silently you had to do better than that with her.

You took a deep breath, closing your eyes. Maybe talking about it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world after all. Maybe it would help you get past him a little easier, or at least prevent you from doing something stupid like calling Chris for his number.

“His name is Sebastian. He’s a friend of Chris’,” you answered her still a little reluctantly. Rachel just nodded at you to go on though. No longer teasing you like an annoying little sister, but now listening and being the best friend and support she also was. Rachel wore many hats and could switch between them quickly, which was one of the main reasons you loved her so much.

“I met him at that party I went to Saturday. He… He helped me get rid of some creep that wouldn’t stop hitting on me. He was sweet and I was feeling horrible about Brad so I…” you tried to explain before Rachel interrupted you.

“You slept with him?” there was no judgment in her voice, just complete and utter surprise since this wasn’t exactly something you did. Ever.

“No. Well, I mean yes,” you tried to explain, getting increasingly annoyed by the smirk that had appeared on your best friend’s face. “Shut up Rach! It wasn’t like that,” you huffed.

“Okay okay,” she giggled holding up her hands in defense, “then why don’t you tell me what it was like?” She snatched the phone from your hands again to look a little closer at his picture. “He’s hot.”

You covered your face in your hands, grunting in frustration. “I know. If that was only all that he was.”

“Oh so it’s not guilt,” Rachel lit up in realization. “You have a crush on him.”

“Rach, I don’t know. Maybe. I never slept with anyone I wasn’t in a relationship with before so maybe it’s just that you know? I mean the sex was really amazing. And I mean really amazing. He made me feel safe and we laughed and talked. He was so sweet and… hot. Did I mention he is hot? The pictures don’t even do him justice. When he smiles you can’t help but smile with him,” you ranted. Now that you finally started talking about Sebastian it was like you couldn’t stop again and didn’t even notice Rachel staring at you slack-jawed.

“Wow you have it bad for this guy,” she blurted out, making you stop your stream of words to let out a frustrated indecipherable noise.

“Why couldn’t I have met him a few months down the line and not having slept with him the moment I saw him,” you whined hiding your face in your hands, making Rachel instantly move to hug you.

“Listen I can’t tell you what to do, but in my book, this Sebastian guy deserves a damn medal. Brad texted you yesterday and you couldn’t care less. If you hadn’t met Sebastian you and I both know you’d already have called him back,” she prodded gently. You wanted to contradict her but you knew she was probably right, so instead, you just leaned into her embrace seeking comfort in your best friend.

“I don’t know what that night meant to him or even too you. It could just be that he saw you and was the first guy in a really long time that treated you like you deserve to be treated, or maybe you had some deep connection. You’re the only one that can figure that out and you’re also the only one that knows whether in spite of that if it’s the right time for you to call him,” Rachel spoke softly as she held you closely as you sniffled against her chest.

Rachel was right. You were the only one that knew and you also knew that you needed to figure your own life out and how to be you again, before you pulled someone else into it. As stupid as it sounded you missed Sebastian after spending not much more than 12 hours with him. You wanted to see him again and you wished that you would someday, but for right now you couldn’t call him. Not only because he deserved better than the mess you were at the moment, but also because you knew if he rejected you it would send you running straight back to the last man you ever wanted to be part of your life ever again. As much as it sucked it was better to miss Sebastian and dream of what could have been, than what every reality you might encounter by calling him out of the blue.

Please reblog; help me spread my work - Leave a comment. Feedback is fuel

Sebastian Stan/Bucky Barnes Tag Team

@emilyevanston @sea040561 @petra-arkanian-1497 @serienjunkiegirl @feelmyroarrrr @holyfuckloueh @dolphinpink310 @evansrogerskitten

@smoothdogsgirl @rebelslicious @roxyspearing @mizzzpink @all-my-favourite-things91

@blacktithe7 @valecitainwonderland @badassbaker @petra-arkanian-1497 @grace-for-sale @thinkwritexpress-official @sebbytrash @mariahoedt @jadalecki-jackles @deanxfuckingadorablexwinchester @esoltis280 @percywinchester27 @unicornblood4ever @mizzezm @yknott81 @thoughtsofdarc @mysupernaturalfics @captainrogerss @caplansteverogers @alwayshave-faith @titty-teetee @jeweline16 @sfreeborn @becs-bunker @docharleythegeekqueen @jamersgang  @v-2bucky @wayward-walker @waywardpumpkin  @jennferjareau @primenumberscanbeintimidating @aikibriarrose  @super100012 @thefridgeismybestie @superwholocknda @vodkasindream @cd1242 @scarlettsoldier @angelsandwinchesters @mogaruke @bitchsike1 @tinyfistwarrior @danijimenezv @maui137 @slowlywithfreedom @kimmiestrawberrykiwi @satanwithapencil @girl-next-door-writes @captainradicalpassion @hellaqueerangelofthelord @directionernullneun @katshrev @badassbaker @imanunbrokenfangirl @jamesbarnesappreciationsociety @thisismysecrethappyplace @marvelismylifffe @sebs-potato @vvishous

Lifelong Love Letter 

@whatmakesmebeme-tblr @imjusthereforsupernatural @winchesters-favorite-girl

#sebastian x reader #sebastian stan #sebastian stan x reader #sebastian stan imagine #marvel rpf #mcu rpf #lll

[averagemarvelbitch]

The One With The Red Sweater - Part 2

The one where Steve and Tony are celebrating their one year anniversary, Bucky has a big mouth (and regrets it) and everything goes wrong.

Relationships: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark

Tags: Alternate Universe - High School, Alternate Universe - No Powers.

Chapters: 2/2

AO3

Tagging because I thought you guys might like to read the second part! @barnesbuchananjamie @instantlyshadowen @stonyverse @iron-captain

Tony stayed the next three days at home. Fooling Jarvis was rather easy. He only had to tell the butler he felt really sick and with his red eyes and runny nose (from all the crying) it was an easy sell. Jarvis did look a bit suspicious, but said nothing, and let Tony stay at home for as long as he needed.

Tony knew he had to go to school sometime. He couldn’t avoid Steve, and everyone else, forever. But he was so embarrassed. God, why did he have to tell his friends all those things about not ever being chosen? Now they knew how he felt AND they knew Steve had never really liked Tony, he was just being polite, like always. And oh god, the dates. They dated for a year. They kissed, they cuddled. Had Steve been uncomfortable in all this situations? Had Tony forced himself on Steve without knowing he wasn’t welcome? This is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me, he thought groaning loudly and hiding his head under the pillow once more.

His cell phone didn’t stop ringing for one minute. Some calls from Pepper, some from Rhodey and Nat and Sharon, and about a million calls from Steve. Tony ignored all of them. At one point, he sent a simple text to all his friends (except Steve because he was still mad at him) saying he didn’t want to talk about it and turned off his phone. After that, Steve started calling his home. He called almost every hour and every time Jarvis or Ana would pick it up. They would come to Tony’s room and every time the brunette would shake his head and turn around, leaving the butler and his wife to make some excuses.

When Steve finally realized the phone calls wouldn’t work, he started sending other things. On Friday, he sent flowers with a note. I’m sorry, please, let me explain. I love you. All they did was remind Tony of the fact that Steve wanted Sharon, not him. He threw both of them away.

On Saturday, Steve sent a small robot plushie with another note. You mean everything to me. Please, forgive me. I love you. Tony threw away the note and gave the plushie to DUM-E, who happily took it to his charging station and kept it there.

On Sunday, nothing came. No phone call, no gift, no note, nothing. Maybe Steve had finally given up, realized Tony wasn’t worth the hassle and it was better to just take this opportunity to get out of the relationship he never even wanted in the first place. Tony was fine with that. He was fine.

On Monday morning, he got dressed and turned on his cell phone. He sent Rhodey a text, asking for a ride. His best friend promptly answered on my way. Tony took a deep breath, trying to get himself ready to face the day, and walked down the stairs, straight to the kitchen to have some breakfast.

Jarvis and Ana watched, in silence, as he ate some toast and drank some coffee. He could tell they wanted to say something, but were holding themselves back.

“Just say it. Come on”, he huffed, putting his coffee down.

“He told us what happened, dear. I’m very sorry”.

“Indeed we are, master Anthony. But… Perhaps we could give you something to think about?”

Tony nodded, nibbling at his toast.

“You see, master Anthony. Some people are able to choose exactly who they are going to love. Like your mother. She saw your father at a benefit and decided that was the man she was going to marry”.

“Yeah. Bad choice”.

Jarvis wrinkled his nose, as if trying to stop himself from agreeing. “Maybe so, master Anthony, but she made her choice. Other people, like Mrs. Jarvis and myself, are victims of fate”.

“What do you mean?”

“Objectively speaking, there was no reason why Mrs. Jarvis and I should meet. A war was raging outside and I was merely a soldier, unable to afford even a drink at the hotel she worked. But fate intervened”.

“That’s right. The general, who never ate anything other than meat and potatoes, that very night decided to try some local cuisine. He spent the night throwing up and called Mr. Jarvis for help. I was tasked with cleaning up the room. And that’s how we met. Fate”.

“And then you stole a letter of transit and was almost court martialed for her”, Tony replied, grinning.

Jarvis cleared his throat and took Tony’s plate. “Well, some people are worth committing a crime for, master Anthony”, he said, earning himself a kiss on the cheek from his wife.

“So, what you’re saying is Steve and I were meant to be?”

“All I’m saying, master Anthony, is that Mrs. Jarvis and I believe that some people are destined to meet. And sometimes, when people are being stubborn, or clueless, or when the world decides to make it difficult, fate intervenes and puts those people on each other’s paths. What happens after that, well, it is up to them, isn’t it?”

“But… He didn’t want me, Jarvis. He wanted Sharon”.

“Perhaps, in the beginning, master Rogers had a different idea of what love could be. Maybe, before you showed up, love had the face and shape of Miss Carter. And perhaps, when fate put you in his path, he realized love was much different from what he believed it to be”.

“Yeah, but he still didn’t choose me”.

“My dear boy”, Jarvis said with a smile, “He chose you every time he came over to watch, yet again, those silly space movies you love so much. He chose you every time he comforted you after a fight with your father. He chose you when he introduced you to his mother, his only family in this world, as his boyfriend. He chose you when he gave up a scholarship at another school only because he could not bear to be parted from you”.

“How do you know about that?”

“We’re the help, dear. The help knows everything”, Ana said, laughing softly.

“He may not have chosen you at first, Anthony. But he chose you again and again and again for a year. And he kept on choosing you every time he called this house, heartbroken and desperate, and every time he sent a gift with what I can only assume were very remorseful notes. You made each other happy, Anthony. Perhaps you ought to give the young man a chance to prove his love to you”.

Tony didn’t have time to answer. The Imperial March started playing, a sign that Rhodey was waiting for him outside. He smiled at Jarvis and Ana, his way of saying thank you for the talk, thank you for being so good to me, thank you for always looking out for me, and left.

The car ride wasn’t exactly fun. Sharon had spent half of it apologizing to Tony and assuring him she had no interest in Steve (which was fairly obvious since she was dating Pepper). Tony, then, put her mind to rest, saying he didn’t blame her at all and that she had nothing to worry about. They’d been friends since they were in diapers and nothing would change that. That’s when Sharon started sniffing and touching the corner of her eyes, trying to hide the tears.

“Are you crying?”

“No, I have allergies, your cologne is gross”.

The moment they arrived at school, Tony knew something was wrong. He walked in with his friends right behind him and noticed how everybody kept glancing at him. Great, everybody knows what a huge loser I am, he thought, frowning. And that’s when he saw it. A huge piece of paper on the message board that almost took half of it.

I fell in love with you when you came to my games to cheer me on even though you hate football ― yes, Tony, I know you hate football.

Right under the saying was a drawing of a football field with many players. On the side, there was a small brunette cheering and, beside him, a robot (who looked very much like DUM-E) holding a sign that said “Go Team”. Tony smiled.

“Uh, Tones? There’s more of that”.

Tony turned and looked to where Rhodey was pointing. Indeed, the corridor was full of posters with phrases and little drawings. He started walking, slowly, stopping at every single one.

I fell in love with you when we watched Star Wars and I looked at you and you were so excited and so happy it made my heart burst.

A drawing of two figures, a blond and a brunette, pointing at the many spaceships that flew around the paper.

I fell in love with you when you spent five days with me in the ER because my ma was sick ― and you stayed even though they have terrible coffee.

This time, a drawing of a small brunette figure making a face at a cup of coffee while holding hands with the blond little man.

I feel in love with you every time you smiled, every time you laughed.

This one had a very realistic drawing of Tony smiling. It was beautiful. Is that how Steve sees me?, he thought with tears in his eyes.

The posters covered all of the corridor.

… when you introduced me to DUM-E…

… from the first time you called me sweetheart…

… when I was sick and you made me soup ― even thought you burned it…

… every time you called me to tell me about your day…

Tony read every single one of them with a small smile on his face, completely ignoring everyone else who just stood there, watching him. He finally got to the last one.

I fell in love with you the day you kissed me under the bleachers. I was just too stupid to actually notice.

Suddenly, Steve was there, holding flowers and looking very nervous.

“Hi”.

“Hi”, Tony replied, biting his lip.

“I’m sorry. I should have told you. It’s just that… After you kissed me and you told me we should grab a burger, I thought, okay, I’ll tell him the truth at the diner and… I didn’t. Because that day I had the best time of my life. You were funny, and smart, and gorgeous, and damn it, Tony, I was terrified that if I told you, you wouldn’t want to see me ever again. So I didn’t. And I should have. I’m sorry”.

Tony smiled and nodded, taking the flowers. But Steve continued.

“I know you think I didn’t choose you. But, you know, ma used to tell me that sometimes we’re too blinded by the world to actually see what’s right in front of us. So sometimes fate helps. And I think it really was fate who made you cold enough to steal Sharon’s sweater. Because, honestly? I can’t imagine what my life would be like without you. And I thank fate everyday for knowing better than I did. I may not have chosen you that day, Tony, but I swear I’m gonna choose you every day for the rest of my life. Because I love you. I really do. Can you please give me another chance?”

Tony smiled and, instead of using words, just pulled Steve down for a kiss, holding him tight and letting himself be held by him. The people near them started laughing, and cat whistling and clapping. But suddenly, all the noise stopped and the couple heard someone clearing the throats forcefully. They interrupted the kiss, looking for the source.

Vice-Principle Coulson had what seemed to be the ghost of a smile on his lips. “No kissing in the corridors”.

“Oh, come on, you heard the speech”, Bucky complained from the other side of the crowd.

Coulson huffed, shaking his head. “One more kiss only in the corridor, Stark, Rogers. And keep it PG-13. This is not some teen movie High School. This isn’t Hannah Montana”.

“Wait, Coulson watches Hannah Montana?” Steve whispered and Tony tried to swallow a laugh.

But Coulson had, apparently, heard him. “She is a normal teenager by day and an internationally famous singer by night. She’s Batman. What’s not to like?”

While everyone laughed, Coulson shooed the others. Steve smiled down at Tony.

“I’m really happy you forgive me, Tony”.

Tony smiled. “I had no other choice”, he said, and when Steve shot him a confused look, he replied, “Who am I to go against fate, right?”

#part two #stevetony #stony #fanfic #high school au #no powers au #send me an ask or leave a comment if you liked it :D

[xxfanfiction-emo-trinityxx]

Magic Drawings - Gerard Way x Reader

Request: Heyo! I absolutely adore your writing, could you maybe do a harry potter universe where gerard is the quit but sassy ravenclaw and the female reader is a beater on the Gryffindor quidditch team and is basically loud and wild? Idk what the setting or the plot but it would mean the world to me! If not, it's okay too, I'd still adore writing (aaaand I'll shut up now) thank you!! Xxx

Reader: female

Word count: 3 748

“What the bloody hell was that,” Andy, the Gryffindor chaser shouted as the Bludger flew past him in just an inch’s distance.

“You didn’t get hit, did ya,” you shouted back, already on the search for the second Bludger that was doubtlessly on its way to kick someone off their broom.

Andy just growled and went back into formation, trying to get used to the new pattern they were flying in. The team captain shot you a disapproving glance. She knew that you loved scaring your mates, just for the fun of it, and you had never actually kicked someone off their broom because of a Bludger you had hit, but she was convinced that training was for getting better at the game, not for scaring your friends. In your own way you were training as well. During matches your opponents did not know that you were not really trying to hurt them, so they were always extremely scared when a ball shot into their direction, and confused when they did not get hit. That usually threw them out of formation, gaining some valuable seconds for your team’s chasers.

Soon the training was over, all of your teammates sweating from the hot weather. It was summer, most of the exams were over, and the Quidditch final was long over as well, yet your Captain still insisted on training, getting ready for the season next autumn. The sun was burning down on you, as you strode from the Quidditch pitch over to the lake where you had decided to go swimming after the training, wearing your swimming clothes already under your Quidditch gear. How was it possible that the summer was so warm up here in Scotland? You were from the south, used to mild winters and hot summers, so the amount of snow up here in the north was still overwhelming every year, but that the summers got just as hot as back home was even stranger.

You dropped in the sand by the lake, next to your friends Ray and Frank. They were lying on their towels, hair already wet from swimming, sand sticking to their soles.

“You made it,” Ray cheered as you pulled the dark red shirt over your head, revealing the top of your bikini.

“Whoa, Langley must have chased you around a lot, you’re totally drenched,” Frank giggled, noticing how little hairs were sticking to your sweaty forehead and neck.

“You don’t say,” you grimaced, “you don’t have something to drink by chance, do you?”

Both boys shook their head no, when a timid voice piped up behind you.

“Gerard, didn’t you pack something?”

You turned around, and were met with the sight of a boy you recognized as Mikey. He was in the same year as Frank, a year younger than you, and in Slytherin. A little further back stood his older brother, Gerard. Gerard was in your year, a quiet Ravenclaw who could usually be found in the library, drawing. He had perfected little sketches that moved around, and from overhearing a conversation with Ray you knew that he was currently working on making them respond with little comebacks when you talked to them. Gerard had been friends with Ray since year one, and had also befriended Frank over time, but you barely knew something about him since he never talked to you.

Gerard shot you a quick glance, and blushed when he saw you were only wearing the bikini top and some shorts, but moved to grab a bottle from the bag that was hanging from his shoulders. He handed it to you, and you thanked him with a smile before taking a few big gulps from the cool liquid.

When you screwed the bottle closed again a grin flashed over Gerard’s face.

“What,” you asked irritated.

“Let’s just hope I didn’t confuse this with the bottle where I keep the hair loss potion in, for potions on Monday,” he quietly said, a smug grin on his face.

“Excuse me,” you asked shocked, not sure if he was being serious.

“Whatever, we’ll notice,” Frank ignored Gerard’s little game, took the bottle from you and threw it back to his friend, “let’s go swimming.”

You got rid of your trousers as well, and together with Frank, Ray and Mikey you ran into the cold water. You were all screaming and rejoicing at the refreshment, splashing each other and laughing breathlessly, trying to get used to the temperature. Only Gerard was standing on the beach, watching the four of you.

“Why don’t you come in too,” you shouted, waving Gerard to come as well, but he just shook his head and tucked his hands into his pockets.

“Everything okay with him,” you asked, turning to Ray.

“He’s fine, he just doesn’t like taking of his shirt,” he answered, splashing Frank with some cold water.

You nodded, slightly confused. You were not the most confident person either, but taking off your shirt for a swim in the lake, especially on a hot day like this one, was definitely in your range of comfort. Absentmindedly you shrugged, and turned to look at Gerard again. He had sat down in the sand, his note book on his knees, pen in hand, and was drawing again. At least you assumed he was drawing.

“Ugh, something touched my foot,” Mikey screeched.

“That was the Giant Squid, I bet ya,” you laughed.

~*~

You spent so much time in the lake, laughing and swimming that you almost missed dinner. Unlike in winter, when the tables were filled with bean pastries, pumpkin juice and potato soups, in summer there were green bean salads, sandwiches with lots of vegetables and roasted zucchini with couscous. Together with all the others you sat at the Slytherin table, having joined some of Mikey’s friends. Your Quidditch mate Andy was also there, just telling everyone how you had almost kicked him off the broom with the Bludger you had smashed into his direction.

“It was so close,” he exclaimed, holding his fingers up, thumb and index finger almost touching.

“Oh come on,” you sighed, “it wasn’t that close.”

“Yes, yes it was,” he insisted.

You rolled your eyes and scooped up some of the couscous on your spoon.

“If you say so,” you mumbled.

“Maybe she just wanted to prove what an excellent shot she is,” Gerard winked.

You turned to him, surprised that he had contributed to the conversation.

“Uh, is this a crush I’m spotting,” Frank giggled, nudging Gerard who was sitting next to him.

“Shut up, Frankie,” you hissed, feeling your cheeks burn up with a blush.

A look over to Gerard told you he was feeling at least as embarrassed as you.

“No, that’s fine, I completely support it,” Frank laughed, but shut up after a look from Ray.

That evening you kept tossing and turning in bed, wondering why you had reacted so emotionally to Frank’s comment. It was not like you liked Gerard in a special way. You barely knew him. But he seemed nice and from class you knew he could be pretty sassy sometimes, especially when teachers were picking on his friends who were not as good as him or as quick to understand.

The next day was a Saturday. The sun was just as bright and strong as the day before, but over night the air had gotten cooler, so it was more comfortable to wander around outside. None of your friends had time to hang out, so after writing a letter to your grandmother, telling her you were finished with all the exams for the summer, and about your days since then, you started wandering over the grounds, until you ended up by the lake again. Not far from where you had set up your towels yesterday, you spotted Gerard sitting under a tree. For a moment you hesitated. Was it okay if you walked over to strike up a conversation? Did you know him well enough for that? To be honest, he had sat in classes with you for years, but after the events of yesterday afternoon and evening you had gotten curious about the quiet boy who always doodled into his notebook. So what, you thought, he would tell you if he wanted you to leave.

You took off your shoes and strolled over the soft and still morning dew cool sand until you reached the tree where he was sitting, notebook resting against his knee, pencil in hand.

“Hey,” you greeted, “can I join you?”

“Sure, sit down,” Gerard immediately offered when he recognised you, patting the soft moss next to him.

You did as asked and sat down, leaning back against the wide tree trunk behind you.

“What are you doing,” you asked curiously, when you noticed Gerard did not continue with his work.

“I was just drawing, wanna see,” he asked, already shifting the notebook so you could see well.

“I’d love to,” you smiled.

Somehow you felt honoured that even though he barely knew you, he trusted you enough already to show you his art.

You scooted a little closer, accidently brushing your arm against his; making both of you blush and you whispered a quick excuse.

Gerard skipped to the beginning of the book, showing you the first page. It was covered in tiny doodles of flowers and plants, ranking over the page. A single bee, the only spot of colour, flew from flower to flower. A tiny ‘whoa’ escaped you, making Gerard giggle. He turned the page and revealed the drawing of a dragon that had curled up in the centre of the page, his nose tucked under its tail.

“Hey,” Gerard gently tapped the paper next to the dragon and the tiny pencil figure awoke.

It lifted its head and sniffed towards you and Gerard, then it stood up to its hind legs, and spread its wings, yawning.

“I call her Susan,” Gerard grinned.

You were too fascinated by the little, moving drawing to notice Gerard watching your reaction closely. He loved the smile that spread over your face as you adoringly stretched out your finger to pet the little dragon that seemed to lean into your touch. He knew you as a loud, not insensible but extroverted person, someone who loved to move around and get into action. Having you sit here next to him, quietly watching his work was different from your usual behaviour, but he liked it, a lot.

He turned the page after saying good bye to Susan, showing you the surprisingly realistic drawing of a teapot and a cup. In an endless circle the teapot filled the cup, the cup broke and spilled the tea and the tea ran over the surface, out of the picture. Then a wand appeared, the cup got repaired and the next moment the teapot filled it again.

“Just a study for shadow and liquids,” Gerard explained, wanting to quickly turn the page, but you stopped him, taking hold of his hand and watching the process a few more times before you allowed him to show you the next picture.

The pages were filled with drawings, most of them moving, but some of them staying still. He had drawn plants, magical creatures, his cat, some of his friends, a Quidditch match, and landscapes with changing weather. The newer work also interacted with you. For example he had drawn a second dragon, where the letters ‘purr, purr’ appeared over his head when you ran the fingers over his scales. Another drawing was a sketch of Frank, that when asked what his favourite food was, answered in letters above Frank’s head ‘chicken stew’. You laughed at that a lot, both Gerard and you knowing Frank hated chicken stew and even was vegetarian. The last page that was drawn on, the one he had been working on before you had joined him, already displayed the outlines of what looked like a horse, or unicorn.

“It’s beautiful,” you whispered, overwhelmed by the skill he had.

“Thanks,” Gerard laughed, slightly embarrassed, but also incredibly proud, that you liked it.

For a while you sat on the moss together, staring out onto the lake, watching the sun climbing higher in the sky. Sometimes wind rippled over the water and in the distance you saw something that looked like the tentacle of the Giant Squid that reached out of the water for a few moments.

“If it’s okay for you, I’d love to draw you,” Gerard suddenly blurted out.

You looked at him wide eyed. Never had anyone asked if they could draw you. But coming from Gerard you understood it as a huge compliment, so you nodded slowly.

“Sure,” you answered, “what do you want me to do?”

“Uhm,” Gerard looked around a little helplessly. “Why don’t you just stay where you are, and I draw you from here?”

You nodded, feeling a little nervous.

“Which way do you want me to look,” you asked.

“I don’t know, maybe towards the lake?”

You nodded again and leant your head back against the tree behind you. You heard paper rustling as Gerard opened a new page and then the soft scratching of his pencil. You tried to focus on something, anything other than Gerard, and looked out over the lake. Some students were walking past you, ignoring the two of you completely. In the distance between the mountains a single cloud rose over the horizon. You watched the patch of white that first moved closer, but then got thinner and thinner until it was gone.

You heard how Gerard made short, quick and long, slow lines on the paper, but you resisted the urge to take a look. Sometimes you turned your head, just enough to look at him from the corner of your eyes. His black hair was falling into his eyes and every now and then he brushed it away vigorously. His eyes flickered between you and the paper, and his lips tucked upwards when he saw you watching him.

After a while you grew tired. The sun and the fresh air, the splashing of water and the even sound of Gerard’s pencil lulled you in and you closed your eyes.

“(Y/n)?”

Gerard’s soft voice tore you out of the light slumber you had fallen into.

“Hm?” You lifted your head and looked over.

“Sorry to wake you,” he smiled, “but I wanted to show you something.”

Curiously you scooted closer, waiting for him to adjust the notebook so you could see. He turned it to you and showed you his work. Just using his pencil he had drawn a beautiful portrait of you, your head resting against the bark of the tree, your eyes fixed on the lake. In the distance he had even sketched out the waves of the lake, the beach, more trees and a few of the castle towers that were visible from where you were sitting.

“It’s so beautiful,” you breathed.

“Watch this,” he grinned.

Gerard pulled out his wand and tapped it against the paper two times. He closed his eyes and seconds later the waves he had drawn started moving and invisible wind ruffled trough your drawn hair. You were about to make another compliment, when the drawn-you moved. She lifted her head up and turned it, a strand of hair blowing into her eyes, then a smile spread over her face, a bright smile that was full of hope and life.

“It’s amazing,” you whispered, “but it has one fault. You made me too beautiful.”

Gerard laughed. “No I didn’t! I did not even come close to paying your beauty the due respect.”

“I insist, this is way too beautiful to present me,” you giggled.

“I swear, I just drew what’s in front of me, as best as I could at least,” Gerard defended, not backing down.

“Oh no,” you shook your head, “I look more like- may I?”

Gerard handed you the notebook and opened a new page for you. You took the pencil and scribbled a grimace on the page. Considering you made an effort to make it look nasty, it still turned out pretty good for your standards, the years of doodling ugly faces on parchment during History of Magic and then turning to Ray and saying ‘this is you’, earning a giggle from him, finally paying off.

Gerard watched you in amusement.

“But if this is you,” he took the pencil and the book from you once you were finished, “this is me.”

He drew an even uglier face, that you were sure if you had seen it in real life, would give you nightmares for weeks.

“Uh, look at us, we’re so pretty,” you laughed as you watched him draw a drop of salvia run from his mouth.

“The prettiest ever, we should start a club,” Gerard laughed and added a circle and two stick arms and two stick legs to the in more detail drawn head, finishing the horrific drawing.

“Wait, I need a body too,” you leant over and took the pencil out of Gerard’s hand.

Leaning over in a weird angle you added the same body shape to your head, but in your hand, that was basically the end of the arm-line, you were holding a broom.

“Since I play Quidditch,” you explained, only now realising that you had basically been lying in Gerard’s lap, and quickly sat up.

“Uh, I have an idea,” he giggled, picking up his wand again, “let’s make you hit me with the broom!”

“No, why should I,” you complained.

“Maybe I was rude,” Gerard suggested, “By Merlin’s pants, this is drawn, nobody gets hurt.”

“What about his feelings,” you wondered.

Gerard picked up the pencil and drew a little apple at the end of his stick arm.

“I’ll throw the apple at you,” he decided, “then we’re even.”

“You’re weird,” you giggled, nudging his shoulder.

“I know,” he answered and picked his wand up again, tipping it against the paper twice and closing his eyes.

As the last time, the figures started moving a few moments later. The you in the drawing took the broom and hit Gerard on the head, accompanied with the letters ‘tock’ over him. As immediate response drawn-Gerard threw his apple at you, that collided with your forehead, the letters ‘tock’ appearing over you as well, before they both faded.

You expected the sequence to be over and judging by how Gerard laughed so did he, but much to both of your surprise, the figures just stood there for a moment, looking around, drawn-Gerard scratching his head.

“What-“ you mumbled.

Drawn-Gerard had lifted his stick-arm to his head and a little heart appeared that he blew over to drawn-you who caught the heart and pressed it against her chest, where it stuck, making both drawn-Gerard and real Gerard blush.

“That, I don’t know what that is, this was not supposed to- what?” Gerard stammered.

The sequence reset, your drawn-self hitting drawn-Gerard over the head with the broom again. Before the moving drawings could proceed any further, Gerard quickly slammed the notebook shut.

“I’m sorry, this was not- I mean, I didn’t-“ he stammered making you smile.

To be honest, you had been slightly confused at first, but obviously it was really cute. Nobody had ever blown you a kiss, well, apart from your parents when they had brought you to kindergarten. So you definitely appreciated the little, unintentional gesture that seemed to be terribly embarrassing to Gerard, considering how much he was blushing.

“Watch this,” you told him and pulled out your wand.

Taking it into your strong hand, you drew the shape of a heart into the air and with a tiny ‘blop’ cut out parchment in the same shape appeared in the air. You had tried to go for red paper, but white would do just as fine. The parchment flattered in the air for a moment, the two halves of the heart like butterfly wings, while you packed away your wand again. With a small gesture of your hand you sent the heart over to Gerard, who watched the little bit of magic perform with wide eyes and a soft smile on his face. Absentmindedly he stretched out his hand for the paper and it landed on his palm, the fluttering of its wings slowing down until it was laying still, just an ordinary piece of parchment.

“That was beautiful,” Gerard whispered quietly, not yet sure if he wanted to move. “You are so skilled.”

“Thank you, so are you,” you smiled.

You had done this trick dozen of times before, but usually with paper shaped like stars or a moon, to send messages to your friends.

“But not like this, this is just… wow,” he mumbled, examining the paper on his palm.

It was a simple white parchment, shaped like a heart, with well-defined edges. Nothing about it showed that it was of magical nature. Gerard pulled his hand back, secretly hoping you would not see how he pressed the paper against his chest for a moment, just like the drawn-you had done in his notebook.

“You know, next weekend is a Hogsmeade weekend…,” he started, your sweet gesture giving him the confidence to ask what he would otherwise lack the courage to, no matter how sassy he could be at times. “I was wondering, maybe you would like to go to the Three Broomsticks together, get some butterbeer, or to Honeydukes, for some Never-Melting-Ice-Cream?”

You could tell he was nervous, his voice sounded different, but it did not matter, because so were you.

“I’d love to,” you quickly replied, earning a surprised smile from Gerard.

“Really? So cool! I mean… I, I really look forward to it,” he grinned.

“Me too,” you answered, now also starting to blush a little.

Gerard watched you for a moment, admiring the little pink flush on your cheeks and the sweet crinkles at the corners of your eyes when you were smiling. He could not wait for next weekend to come.

He took a deep breath and leant his head back against thee tree, looking out over the water. Suddenly he felt something warm and soft on his shoulder. When he tried to turn his head, his nose brushed against your hair, as you had rested your head against his shoulder. He smiled and nuzzled his cheek against your hair, looking back over the lake. No way would he going to move soon.

#gerard way x reader #gerard way fluff #gerard way #gerard way x reader fluf #hogwarts #hogwarts au #fluff #fluffy #gryffindor #slytherin #ravenclaw #romance #cute #giant squid

[imagine-loki]

God, but my Angel of Music

TITLE: God, but my Angel of Music CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter Two: The Schedule AUTHOR: xllizette ORIGINAL IMAGINE:

Imagine you are at Avengers Tower for business with the avengers and find yourself unable to sleep. You leave your chambers and wonder aimlessly when a beautiful melody attracts your ears. You begin to follow it until you reach a room and find Loki playing a piano graciously and flawlessly.

RATING: PG NOTES/WARNINGS: Mentions New York incident and Loki’s doings that led to New York; Loki is mentioned in this chapter but he doesn’t appear yet, patience my dears; the conversations between the characters since this day will be separate chapters and on the characters’ POV so stay tuned!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After my time out wondering the area, I came back 30 minutes before dinner so I can check out my room and make sure all my stuff was there. As I’m walking in, Captain Rogers is walking out. I couldn’t believe it. I might as well get used to seeing everyone any time. He didn’t seem to notice me but no big deal. I got on the elevator and took the trip of a lifetime, or that’s what it felt like. Finally, I reached my floor, which by the way was entirely for myself. I enter my room and so far it all looks like it’s here. Wait. My piano. Just great. Tony probably decided to pawn it or donate it or something. Oh well. I might as well just have dinner; it’s not like it was working anyway.

As I’m headed to the dining hall, I can hear them all which will probably be the only time I will hear and see them all together.

“There she is. The girl of the hour,” Tony excitedly says raising a glass to my arrival. All I can afford is a whimper, but of nervousness. Shrugging my shoulders I just wave and take a seat. “Well, as you all know, Y/N will be joining us from now on as your trainee. I know it’s Thursday, but the new schedules you all received will take effect on Monday. So, Y/N enjoy your three day weekend because you’re in for a big surprise.”

“It’s surprising already,” I chuckled along with everyone else.

“Indeed. Which by the way, why did you not tell us you played piano?” Tony sounded almost upset.

“I can see you truly didn’t read my background. I have a Masters of Music degree and I practically had to practice the piano everyday. Where did you place my piano though?”

“Yours wasn’t working so I sent it to get repaired and I’ll be donating it.” I knew it.”But I bought you a new one and it’s in the floor where the library is.”

“Oh you didn’t have to, but thanks.”

“You’re welcome. I’m not going to introduce the team, since you probably already know who they are. Please, let’s eat.”

Natasha wasn’t happy about that and she confronts Tony, “Come on, Tony. She can at least talk a little about herself.”

“It’s okay, really. I’m going to see you all pretty much every week. We will get to know each other better then,” I said with a smile. Nobody argued it and we proceeded to eat.

After dinner I headed to my room to take a warm bath. For some reason I felt truly worn out and I think it was all this overwhelming event. As I’m prepping my bath I hear a knock at my door. I left the water running so I can cut the conversation short since I’m still super nervous. “Coming!”

“Yes?” As I open the door there was nobody there. I checked both sides and nothing but on the floor was an envelope. What is this? It was blank. Going back into my room, walking towards the bathroom, I began opening the envelope and it had one simple question: Would you play us a song?

I wonder who wrote this. I moved on to take my bath with some Beethoven playing in the background. I tried to ignore the letter but I hadn’t introduced myself personally to anybody except Tony, Pepper and Happy, which only Tony was in the room. Ugh, I shouldn’t think about it too much. I finished my bath and just rinsed off for another minute or so. I decided to look at my schedule to see who, when and what time I was training with everyone. And this is what my schedule looked like:

Monday:

9a-12p: Dr. Bruce Banner

12p-2p: Lunch

2p-5p: Captain Steve Rogers

Tuesday:

9a-12p: Clint Barton

12p-2p: Lunch

2p-5p: Tony Stark

Wednesday:

9a-12p: Dr. Bruce Banner

12p-2p: Lunch

2p-5p:Natasha Romanoff

Thursday:

9a-12p: Tony Stark

12p-2p: Lunch

2p-5p: Clint Barton

Friday:

8a-10a: Tony Stark

10a-12p: Dr. Bruce Banner

12p-2p: Lunch

2p-4p:Clint Barton

4p-6p: Captain Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff

I can understand why the schedule this way, but a two hour lunch? I’m not complaining; I just hope I don’t fall asleep! Let’s see now, what should I do in this three day weekend? I can catch a movie tomorrow for sure. Treat myself to a good fancy dinner. Take a walk in a park in the cool breeze. Oh no! I sound so lame. Like the single memes! I need to make friends! Fine I’ll take Saturday to find someone from the team who isn’t busy so I can start getting to know them. Okay, okay. Friday for me. Saturday for them. Sunday for me again. I have to rest up for the following months. I do hope it goes by fast, but I will enjoy every single bit of it.

The next day I woke up, brushed my teeth and headed to the kitchen. I would want to say it was 10am presuming everyone was busy. WRONG.

“Hey, hey, hey. Did you have a fight with your pillow?” Natasha teased. And all I managed was a, “What?” I saw my reflection on the fridge door and yup, I looked like the pillow won.

“I know I said feel comfortable. And if this is your comfort zone, we won’t judge you,” Tony said almost dying of laughter.

“I’ve never seen him laugh so much. I think he’s taken a liking to you,” Natasha teased.

I didn’t think everyone would be feeling this loosely around me already.

“What plans do you have this weekend?” Natasha curiously questioned. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Oh I don’t mind and I wanted to go out today and treat myself. Then tomorrow, hopefully I can catch some of you and talk to you guys. And Sunday rest all day, you know, be lazy in bed.”

“That’s it? Well I’m free tomorrow. We can hang out. Talk about everyone,” she said with a smirk on her face.

“Oh that’s great! Yeah!”

In the background you can hear Thor storming in, “That is what Father said. This is the only concord he can give Midgard. Loki must stay here and learn the ways of the midgardians and help in any way that he can.”

Tony very displeased responds with, “How can I speak to him directly? Surely he’s a man of honor and tell me this to my face.”

“He is a man of honor. But I am the medium between this world and ours and this is his final word.”

“His final word?! I’ll have to remind you how many innocent people your brother killed. How he almost destroyed half of this city!”

“You will not understand, especially in rage, if I explain it to you. Do we have an agreement?”

Tony thinking silently gives him an answer, “I have to think about it. I’ll give you answer by tonight.”

“Why not now?”

“Because I have to think for an entire planet that was almost destroyed by a god!”

Thor nodded and went to his room to await for Tony’s answer.

“I cannot believe this,” Tony began. “Loki has to come and live with us so to ‘repay’ for what he did.”

Natasha quickly tried to defuse Tony, “Well, think about it. We will all keep an eye on him. We have the technology to defuse any of his magic. And for the most part Loki won’t feel comfortable besides anybody else but Thor, so he will be by his side a lot more than we think.”

“You’re right. I still need to run it by Fury.”

“You should get going then.”

I am in bit of a shock. Loki staying in the tower? What if he gets us when we’re alone? What if he tries what he did last year? I have faith in the team, but Loki almost succeeded. What if he thought about a better plan and perfected this one and finally take over earth? I’ll put my entire trust on the team, but I won’t say I’m not scared. I wanted to leave the kitchen area so I ate a small bowl of cereal and decided to get ready to go.

Once I finished getting ready, there was a knock at my door. As I open it, it’s Miss Potts. “Hello, Pepper, how can I help you?”

“Y/N, how are you? I came to give you your new schedule since Thor and Loki will be joining us from now on.  Everybody is already aware of the changes and if you have any questions please let me know.”

“Oh, uh, okay. Thanks!” Thor and Loki will be joining us?! That means that Stark already gave Thor an answer? Or maybe it’s a ‘what if’. No, Miss Potts would have told me so. Ugh! It’s probably definitive. I’ll try not to think about it too much and enjoy my day. I mean what can go wrong.

New Schedule

Monday:

9a-12p: Dr. Bruce Banner

12p-2p: Lunch

2p-5p: Captain Steve Rogers

Tuesday:

9a-12p: Clint Barton

12p-2p: Lunch

2p-5p: Tony Stark

Wednesday:

9a-12p: Dr. Bruce Banner

12p-2p: Lunch

2p-5p:Natasha Romanoff

Thursday:

9a-12p: Thor and Loki

12p-2p: Lunch

2p-5p: Clint Barton

Friday:

8a-9a: Tony Stark

9a-10a: Thor and Loki

10a-12p: Dr. Bruce Banner

12p-2p: Lunch

2p-4p:Clint Barton

4p-6p: Captain Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff

#Loki #Imagine #Submitted fic #submission #God but my Angel of Music #chapter 2 #xllizette #avengers tower #sleeping #tune #piano #flawlessly #stumble #dark #apologising #pins #threatens #miserable #promise #request

[gruumpy-cat]

The Art of Being Nonchalant (Or Not) / Chapter Six

The first week passed in a blur of tedious classes. A few days ago James put up a flyer in the common room announcing the Quidditch try-outs this Saturday with a party in the Room of Requirement the same day, to welcome the new team members. Fred tried to coax Roxanne into joining the team again, but it was useless and it resulted in the two of them not speaking for a while.

I still haven’t heard from anyone in my family and I was too pissed off to borrow Antigone and send letters of my own. I bet she’d ignore me or something because of Ziggy’s behaviour on the train ride to Hogwarts.

After Jonathan’s little outburst in the Great Hall, Ash told us she broke up with him on the train. Dom turned Ash’s hair green for an hour or so for not telling us the moment it happened but I didn’t think it was such a big deal. Jonathan was boring anyway. Two years of him were two years too many. I had no idea how Ash managed to stay that long with him.

I was rummaging through my trunk, looking for the gloves Ethan gave me before I went down to the Pitch for the try-outs while Dom and Ash sat on my bed with Ziggy throwing them dirty looks because that was his spot. The rest of our dorm mates were in one of the other Seventh Year girls’ dormitories preparing to listen to the live broadcast on the WWN of my parents’ anniversary match. They all thought it was romantic. I wanted to gag when they asked me to join them. Maybe fucking Ravi Patel will give me a fucking play-by-play in a fucking letter. Or maybe I’ll just read about it in Quidditch Weekly.

Dom played with my Beater’s bat, turning it over and even acting as if it was a sword, battling an imaginary enemy on my bed, “What’s got your wand in a knot, Quinnie?”

Momentarily looking up from my trunk I glared at her, “Stop calling me Quinnie, I’m not a pet. And nothing’s got my wand in a knot, what are you talking about?” I sure as hell had no desire to discuss my family with the two of them. My problems were my own.

Dom pointed the bat at me, “You’re very touchy!”

“I’m always touchy when people harass me for no good reason, what’s your point?”

“Come off it, Quinn!” Ash interjected in an annoyed voice, “We’re not harassing you, we just want to know what’s wrong! You never tell us anything.”

I threw out a book about flying carpets, which I wasn’t even aware I owned and snatched the gloves that were hiding under it. “Nothing is wrong. Why the sudden interest?”

Ash stared at me, “You’re acting like, I don’t know, someone murdered Ziggy.” As she said that, Ziggy suspiciously looked at her and hissed, backing away. Dom opened a Chocolate Frog and frowned, the card was easily recognisable as that of James’ dad and she already had a bunch of those.

I smiled at her, “Another one for the collection?” We always joked that Dom probably had the biggest collection of Harry Potter Chocolate Frog Cards. It was weird how often she found them because they weren’t common.

Dom grinned as she put the card in her bag, “It’s a curse! Maybe I could make it –”

“Stop trying to change the subject, Quinn!” Ash said and got up from the bed in order to stand in front of me.

“How many times do I have to say that everything is fine before you leave me be?” I took the bat from Dom while she rolled her eyes at me, grabbed the Stormwind and stepped around Ash who was frowning, making my way out of the dorm.

“Fine, be like that! Don’t expect us to actually want to listen –” I didn’t hear the rest of Ash’s sentence because I was already halfway down the winding staircase.

For a fleeting second, I felt a tiny bit bad that I brushed them off but the feeling passed quickly. We were never the type of friends to talk about real problems. Well, I wasn’t the type to do that. Letting myself look weak was reserved for James because he was probably the one person in the world who was always there, even when I didn’t want him to be, like the anniversary of my grandmother’s death.

Dom and Ash didn’t have issues with trying to talk to me about things they knew I didn’t care about. It usually ended with me blurting out the most ridiculous way to solve a problem according to them, like hexing someone or drinking until the problem goes away, and then I end up being free to go because my problem-solving skills were useless. Apparently.

I was the last to arrive at the Quidditch Pitch, glad to see that a crowd had gathered. James and Fred were near the locker rooms, squinting up at the cloudy sky.

“Quite a crowd, Captain,” I said and James looked at the students gathered on the Pitch with a frown. “You have a plan?”

“Yes, but I’m sure you have some ideas of your own.”

“Well, I thought I’d use them for target practice,” I replied with a grin that didn’t quite reach my eyes, “Whoever’s left standing makes the team?”

“You’re too sociopathic to ever be a Quidditch Captain, Quinn,” said Fred.

I rolled my eyes at him, “You’re wrong. I only lack leadership qualities, meaning I get bloody mad when people don’t do what I tell them to do and how I tell them to do it. So I might hit them with my bat at times. That’s why I wouldn’t be a good Captain,” I looked at James who was scribbling some notes in this little black notebook he used for Quidditch, “How do you do it, James?”

He looked up and smiled, “I’ve put up with you for seven years, didn’t I? So I can deal with a bunch of Quidditch players alright.” He put away the notebook, messed up his hair and started walking towards the crowd, Fred and I following behind him, carrying the case with the balls.

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? That I don’t listen to you?” I yelled after him. James stopped and turned around, which caused Fred and me to almost bump into him. “When have you ever listened to me? You just fly off to the Pitch, yell at the other Beater to do things your way and take risky moves that might kill you. Or anyone else on the Pitch. And then we win.”

I wiggled my eyebrows and bit my bottom lip, “So, what you mean to say is I’m your hotshot problem Beater?”

He smirked, “Yes. But I wouldn’t have it any other way,” and with that he walked away, yelling at the crowd to form groups according to the position they were trying out.

There were two groups trying out for Seeker, little Potter among them, her red hair impossible to miss, only one group for Beater, which did not make me hopeful, three groups for Chaser and two for Keeper. Except for Lily, I recognised one of the Scamander twins trying out for the Beater position, his blonde hair unmistakeable in Gryffindor crimson, but I wasn’t sure which one was it. Most likely Lysander because Lorcan was the current Quidditch commentator and never showed any interest in actually playing. There was also a sixth year trying out for Keeper that I vaguely remembered as having instigated a fight with the Ravenclaws during our last match the year before. I think he watched one too many football hooligan movies.

Just from the flying exercises James gave them, I could see Lily was going to win the Seeker position. Only her and two boys whose names I didn’t know flew well enough to even be considered for the team. And Lily was a lot faster than the two boys.

“Merlin, I’ll have to deal with Lily on the team, too?” I groaned.

Fred cocked his head to the side as Lily did a turn, “What’s wrong with my cousin?” he asked.

I lightly punched him in the arm for pretending to be stupid when we both knew he wasn’t, “She hates me, Fred.”

“Lily doesn’t hate you,” said James as he appeared next to us, casually putting his arm on my shoulder and basically using me as an armrest while he observed the groups of Chasers flying around the Pitch.

“If she doesn’t hate me then she strongly dislikes me.”

“Lily dislikes a lot of people, you know that. And, she’s only being protective of Al.”

I rolled my eyes, “I’m not going to dignify that with a response. But she’s a great flyer, so at least there’s that.”

James only chuckled and motioned for Fred and me to follow him. We stood in front of the would-be Quidditch players as James pointed to the ones that were staying for another round of try-outs. Some disgruntled looks and comments later, we were left with two people trying out for Seeker, Keeper and Beater, and five trying out for Chaser.

“Lily and Amir, I’m going to release the Snitch. Whoever catches it gets the position, understood?” James asked and opened the case with the balls. Both Lily and Amir nodded their heads and mounted their brooms, prepared to take flight as soon as James released the Snitch. James turned towards the five Chasers.

“Chasers, there’s five of you so first I want to see all of you in the air, passing the Quaffle, scoring some goals against Fred and dodging Bludgers. Then I’ll choose the two who make the best passes and you’ll play for a bit with Fred and me to see how we fit together. We’ll choose the Keeper last. Whoever saves the most penalties will be the new Keeper.”

James nodded in my direction and I put on my devious grin, trying my best to channel grandad, “Wannabe Beaters!” I yelled and both of them stood to attention like they were in the Muggle military, Lysander was particularly silly because he actually saluted me, which I can’t say I didn’t like, “You’re with me. Let’s see what you’re made of!”

I mounted the Stormwind, shaking off the apprehensive feeling I got as I remembered the last time I flew and motioned for Lysander and the other guy to follow me. Everyone else was already in the air, doing the things James told them to do. I charmed the Bludgers to follow us until I explained what I wanted the two hopefuls to do. I turned to face them.

“I’ll release the Bludgers soon. You two should play as you would in a regular game and I’ll observe. Whoever manages to hit someone so they fall off their broom first, gets to try-out with me!” I yelled so they could hear me over the wind that started blowing, strands of my hair getting in my eyes. Lysander had a determined look but the other guy was frowning.

“Isn’t that dangerous?” he asked.

“Yes, it is! Is there a point to this nonsense or do you just like to ask stupid questions? You want to be a fucking Beater on our team? Then bloody knock someone off their broom! Go!” For asking that question alone, I could’ve easily eliminated him from the try-outs but I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he’d surprise me.

I floated above the Pitch, watching Lysander take surprisingly precise shots at the Chasers and Seekers who were trying out. It was a smart tactic, to target them instead of James and Fred. There was obviously a much higher chance that he’d manage to knock one of them from their broom. The other guy, unfortunately, wasn’t as smart but his hits were more powerful.

James flew up and hovered next to me, “What did you tell them? Lysander seems determined to kill someone.” He squinted in my direction, raising his hand to block out the sun that peeked out from behind the clouds.

I shrugged my shoulders, “First one to knock someone off a broom wins.”

He smirked at me and did a flip so he was flying upside down above me, “I like the way you think.”

“But…Lysander is better. We don’t need a Beater who only counts on his physical strength. That’s stupid thinking.”

After doing another flip to right himself, James looked me in the eyes and stared at me with a piercing gaze. He flew closer, not saying a word and covered the hand that was gripping the handle of my broom with his own. I didn’t even notice I was gripping the handle so hard that my hand now ached. I relaxed under his touch and closed my eyes.

“I…” I started to say something and drifted off, not knowing what I wanted to say. All the anger from being ignored by my parents and even grandad and Ethan, along with the lingering shock of being on a broom again was starting to become too much for me.

James squeezed my hand softly and whispered, “It’s okay, Quinn.” I opened my eyes to find his face so close to mine that I could count his eyelashes if I wanted to. I inhaled sharply, filling my lungs with the fresh air, not releasing the breath, but holding it in and still looking at James. Somehow, he managed to manoeuvre himself into a position so he could hug me and I was ensnared in his familiar scent.

He knew when I needed him and he didn’t need me to tell him anything. He didn’t need to ask me if I was fine.

“I’ll always be here, you know that, right? Fuck fear, yeah? But I –”

The clouds obscured the sun once again and I moved away from James, balancing on the Stormwind and grinning at him, “I’m fine and yeah…it’s okay.”

But really, it wasn’t okay.

I needed to toughen the fuck up and stop thinking so fucking much.

Lysander sent a Bludger flying towards one of the girls trying out for Chaser. She was just about to throw the Quaffle towards the hoops and couldn’t see the Bludger coming her way. It was a good move since she was distracted and likely not holding too tight.

The Bludger hit her in the side while she took aim and knocked her over. I was sure she’d fall down but the girl managed to hold on for a second with only one hand, enough to still throw the Quaffle while hanging from her broom, score a goal on Fred and then start falling.

I whipped out my wand since I didn’t actually have in mind that anyone should get hurt today, but I shouldn’t have bothered. Fred was already being the hero and levitating the girl to the ground.

Looking at Lysander, I saw he had a huge grin on his face. I flew next to him. “Impressive. You’ve got the spot,” I said and grinned back, “but, in the future, please try not to kill your own teammates. Though, people from opposing teams are fair game.”

His face fell and he started to protest, “But you said –”

“Ah ah! The first rule of being on the team – don’t contradict me! I know what I said. Now I’m saying this other thing. So keep up!” I winked at him and flew down to where James and Fred were gathered with the rest of the people trying out.

“You! The girl who fell but scored!” James yelled in the direction of the dark-haired girl with flushed cheeks and an enormous smile, looking proud of herself, “You’re on the team! What’s your name?”

“Wendy Nott,” she replied, her eyes wide with surprise. So that was the girl Scorpius was talking about. She was fiddling with the hem of her sweater and I noticed her fingers were smudged with ink and yellow paint. A girl in the stands wearing Slytherin green cheered and charmed a couple of red sparks to fly out of her wand as James welcomed Wendy to the team. Wendy looked up and waved to the girl. The other Chasers looked disappointed but it was obvious that Wendy did something few of them would’ve even thought of to do, much less manage to do it.

I put one arm around Lysander and the other around Wendy, “I’ve got my new Beater! Wendy, please forgive him for almost murdering you,” I winked at her and she flashed Lysander a smile.

“I can always hex him later, right Lysander?”

Fred came up to us, “There will be no hexing of teammates…and it’s probably Quinn who told him to do that so it’s actually her you want to hex.” I threw him a threatening look and turned to face Wendy. She looked away and pretended she didn’t hear anything Fred said. I already liked her.

We all looked up to see Lily and Amir still zooming about, looking for the Snitch. James rounded on the two Keepers. I noticed that the burly hooligan guy was doing something with his hands, a movement that seemed to help him calm down. The other Keeper didn’t look nervous, she was busy eating an apple and staring at Fred, who ignored her. I recognised her as one of Crazy Julia’s friends. I should’ve told Lysander to target her, but it would’ve been weird since the Keepers weren’t in the air.

“You two, we’ll do the penalty shots now,” James said and motioned for the Keepers and the rest of the team to fly in front of the hoops.

Fred hovered next to me and pointed to the hooligan guy who was going to go first, “That’s Seth Blackwood.” I raised an eyebrow at him, “And I should know that name because…?”

“He’s Sarah Blackwood’s brother. I bet he’s a great player!” Fred exclaimed and flew straight towards Seth to take the first shot. I hoped that the genes Seth shared with his sister, the Keeper for the Montrose Magpies, included Quidditch skills. The nervousness I witnessed wasn’t giving me too much confidence in his abilities.

Fred feinted towards the right hoop, but changed direction at the last minute, aiming at the left one. Seth was either crazy fast or had the ability to bend space and time because he appeared in front of the left hoop and casually hit the Quaffle back with his outstretched leg.

James took the Quaffle and did the Woollongong Shimmy, zig-zagging at a high speed towards the goals. Seth stayed in front of the middle hoop and spread out his arm and leg, trying to do the Starfish and Stick, but James was suddenly above him and threw the Quaffle behind Seth, who almost managed to defend it but it was impossible to stretch that far back without falling off a broom. I could see that James was impressed even with the almost-defence.

It was Wendy’s turn. She didn’t try to do a fancy Quidditch tactic but charged straight for Seth who actually left the goal posts and kicked the ball from her arm, effectively keeping her from even trying to score. He smirked at Wendy’s expletives. It was a risky move that paid off. It wouldn’t work half as well in an actual match because there’s always the danger of the opposing Chasers catching the kicked Quaffle but if the Keeper and his Chasers were coordinated enough it could be a great tactic.

Crazy Julia’s friend was a disaster, to say the least. She seemed incapable of reading the Chasers and always went for the wrong hoop. We would’ve been royally fucked if it weren’t for Seth and she was the only decent flier who tried out for Keeper.

Little Potter caught the Snitch, of course. I don’t think anyone was surprised by that, even Amir looked happy for her.

After the spectators and the ones who didn’t get a spot on the team left, James gave his welcoming speech in the locker rooms and gave the new members his playbook.

“You need to learn all these plays by the time we have next practice. Which is in two days. So…don’t drink too much at tonight’s party,” James smirked at their groans, “Well, I think that the Gryffindor team will continue to be as glorious as it’s been for the past few years. Don’t disappoint me. Well, maybe I should’ve said don’t disappoint Quinn, she’s more inclined to do you bodily harm with her bat.” Lily snorted at that and rolled her eyes. James gave her laps to run before she was free to go. The rest of us showered and walked back to the castle for lunch.

I climbed up the spiral staircase leading up to my dorm and just as I was about to open the door, I overheard Dom and Ash talking.

“Why do you think she’s like that?”

“Well…Quinn’s always been a tad off. I mean, you know what I’m talking about. I think she’s just…coping with life in her own way.”

“Sometimes I think she has no feelings.”

I decided that I didn’t really want to listen to this anymore or let them know I overheard them. I turned around and went back to the common room, out the portrait hole and back to the Pitch.

By the time it started to get dark, I felt drained of everything and only marginally hungry. I landed next to the lockers and dug out a Chocolate Frog from my discarded clothes. Dorcas Wellbeloved gave me a kind smile, beaming at me from the card. Crumpling the card, I threw it into the trash. The watch my parents gave me for my birthday said it was already past dinner. I put my Quidditch robes in the dirty laundry basket next to the lockers for the House Elves to clean them and jumped in one of the showers.

After I cleaned myself up and got dressed in my black jeans and T-shirt, I finally got back to my dorm. It was empty, as was much of the common room, only the younger students were still there and the occasional older one. The rest must’ve already left for the party in the Room of Requirement. James’ dad probably regretted telling his children about it if he knew how it was being used nowadays.

I lay down on my bed and stared at the top of my four-poster. Stretching out my arm I grabbed Dom’s wireless from her nightstand. I tuned it to the obscure station that only played Sons of Tyr. I found out about it at one of their concerts from another fan, who was the one who actually ran it.

Turning up the volume I drowned out the stupid, idiotic thoughts that were running through my head again.

When the song finished I got up, turned off the wireless and left the dorm. The corridors were empty. James and Fred must’ve bribed the Prefects to turn a blind eye. Or the Prefects were also at the party. I came to the corridor with the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy and passed the Room three times. This morning James told me exactly what I needed to think in order for the Room to appear.

As the doors materialised in front of me, I heard faint music coming from behind them. I put my hand on the handle, but before I could open them, a couple came stumbling from inside. It was Dom, glued to Sean Murphy.

“Oh…Hey…Quinn…” She giggled and it was obvious that she already had a few drinks. Sean didn’t say anything but he was wearing a smile that showed off his perfectly white teeth. I rolled my eyes at them.

“We…uh, missed you at dinner, the whole day –”

“I stayed behind after the try-outs, flying,” I cut her off before she could go into a drunken explanation of how they were worried about me, but really, they weren’t. I didn’t have the patience to listen to it.

She frowned and I grinned at her, hoping it’ll get her off my case. “Fun party?” I asked.

Dom giggled again and leaned into me, “Very fun! Al found himself a rebound…” She trailed off and Sean put an arm around her waist. “Come on Dom, you said you wanted to show me a broom closet…” They went off in search of the nearest broom closet, though a better idea would’ve been just going behind the Barnabas the Barmy tapestry.

For some reason, Dom’s words stung me. Al finding someone so soon after I broke up with him was great. And yet, it wasn’t because I thought he genuinely had feelings for me. I knew it was selfish of me to think that but I didn’t care. I was selfish.

I entered the Room of Requirement which was packed with students from all Houses. The music was loud and a lot of people were dancing. Or jumping around. There was a crimson banner floating above the crowd welcoming the new members of our team and all the other décor was either red or gold or both. I spotted James with the rest of them next to the bar which was manned by Hugo Weasley. Lily was sneaking glances at Scorpius across the room, who was standing next to Jax and animatedly explaining something to him. There was a lot of waving about. Jax didn’t really look interested, he actually had a rather gloomy look to him.

As I walked over to the team, someone bumped into me. I looked up to see who it was and my eyes locked with Al’s emerald ones. He was dancing with a girl I didn’t know, but when he realised who I was he stopped in his tracks. Suddenly, I was reaching out, leaning into him and moving my head next to his. “Nice rebound!” I yelled into his ear and gave him a quick peck on the jaw, in the spot I knew was his weakness, my hand trailing down his shoulder and back as I walked away. I felt his gaze following me. It made me feel a little better, knowing I still had an effect on him. My ego was an evil monster.

“Firewhisky,” I said to Hugo and he handed me a glass with the amber liquid. I turned around to face the rest of the team, raising my glass in salute. They were all grinning wildly. I downed the Firewhisky in one go and asked for another.

“We’re going to be glorious!” I yelled and all of them nodded, though I wasn’t sure if they even heard me above the music. James stood next to me and sent me a questioning look. “Go, have fun!” I waved the team away and they were happy to oblige. I saw Wendy rush over to the Slytherin girl who cheered her on earlier today. The two of them snogged for a while and I winked at Wendy who saw me looking at them. She turned beet red and dragged the Slytherin girl to the dance floor instead. Blackwood and Lysander were trying to chat up two girls nearby but their lines were hilarious, though the girls didn’t seem to mind. Lily was nowhere to be seen and neither was Scorpius. Fred was nursing a glass of Serpentgin next to James and staring at Jonathan who was, in turn, staring at Ash who was dancing in the middle of the dance floor with a couple of girls. There was a lot of staring.

“You were flying until now?” James yelled in my ear. I nodded and took a sip of the Firewhisky. He looked worried so I hugged him and yelled, “Stop worrying about me!” I backed away and beamed at him. He nervously messed up his hair, “Quinn, I –”

I finished the Firewhisky and took his hand, “Let’s dance!” He let me lead the way and I also grabbed Lysander and Seth, ruining their chances and leaving two disgruntled girls behind. Fred trailed after us and soon we were jumping around like mad to the new Weird Sisters song. Well, Fred was mostly standing next to us pretending he didn’t know us.

After a while I could feel the Firewhisky going to my head, I guess not eating the whole day was a bad idea. I waved to James and motioned for the part of the Room with armchairs and sofas. He waved back but was having too much fun to follow me. Lysander invented a very silly dance move that now both James and Seth were dancing with him along to. It involved Lysander tearing off an article of clothing every time they finished and started a new turn. By now he was in his jeans and his shirt was somewhere on the dance floor, mingling with remnants of alcohol. Fred was missing in action.

I saw Al sitting with the girl he was dancing earlier on one of the sofas, they were talking and generally looking cosy with each other. Once again, Al looked at me, but this time he gave me a wolfish grin. I smirked and walked over, sitting next to him. The girl frowned at me but said nothing. Taking the bottle of Dragonbreath from Al’s hand I took a sip and rested my other hand on his knee. I could see his cheeks were flushed and I cocked an eyebrow at him.

“Hey,” he murmured into my hair in a husky voice and put an arm around my shoulders, the girl sitting next to him seemingly forgotten. “You want to get out of here?” he asked and kissed my neck. His kiss made me tremble. It would’ve been easy to give in and just break the tension building between us. But a voice in my head that sounded unsurprisingly like Fred stopped me.

“I just wanted to see the rebound girl up close,” I answered and gave him his drink back. He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck in annoyance.

“Why the fuck are you so intent on torturing me? What…you can’t help yourself so you just flirt with me and snog me and then expect me to forget about you? And when I try you fucking can’t let me, what the fuck is wrong with you, Quinn? I’m in l–”

I stood up, “Don’t say it, Al. I’m…fucked up, that’s all. I’ll leave you alone.” I looked around, desperate to see a friendly face or at least someone who wasn’t pissed with me. My eyes fell on Jax, sitting alone next to an open window. I made my way to him and sat down next to him, on the armrest.

“’lo Quinn,” he said in almost a whisper. I could barely hear him. He was nursing a bottle of tequila which he offered to me and I gladly took it. Jax was staring out the window, the Forbidden Forest visible under the almost full moon.

“You seem oddly alone,” I commented as I took a swig from the bottle and gave it back to him.

He shrugged his shoulders. “Not really up for company. What about you? Isn’t this supposed to be your party? And yet here you are, sitting alone with me.”

“I was acting like an idiot so I’m avoiding the problem,” I nodded my head towards Al who seemed to be arguing with the rebound girl.

Jax snorted, “What, Potter? He’ll get over it.” He finished the bottle and put it on the window sill. “Did you know it’s my birthday today?” he asked and I raised my eyebrows.

“No…or if I did, I forgot, sorry.”

He rolled his eyes and tried grinning but failed, “Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. My parents forgot…again.”

Oh. That explained his depressed state.

I kissed him on the cheek, “Happy birthday, Jax.” He smiled at me and put his hand at the nape of my neck, crashing his lips to mine. I slid down and ended up in his lap, his tongue playing with my own. I backed away slightly and saw he was still looking depressed.

“Hey,” he looked into my eyes and I gave him a sideways smile, “Fuck family.”

Jax nodded, “Yeah, fuck family indeed. Want to dance?”

I shook my head, “Nah, let’s just sit here, drink and stare off into space. I’m in that kind of mood.”

“Sounds about right.”

#fanfic #harry potter fanfiction #harry potter #james sirius potter #next gen #the art of being nonchalant