#W.I.T.C.H. Inspired

[jazzlovesfandoms]

Some faves and an OC to test out my style. It's been ages since I drew anything digital, so remembering how it works has been an experience lol.

[krchar]

it is a rewrite, but it is very close to the original

issue 22 - A Broken Heart

[veilchenjaeger]

It intrigues me so much that it’s a conscious decision for the W.i.t.c.h. to interfere in the politics of Meridian. The fact that in the beginning, all they’re told is “Oh, the Veil protects the rest of the universe from the evil that’s trying to leave Meridian and is caused by Phobos, this is why you need to protect the Veil!” is such a good first introduction to Kandrakar’s whole deal, because it is so fucking hypocritical.

The Veil imprisons Phobos in Meridian, but it also makes it impossible for the people of Meridian to go anywhere else. They’re stuck in an impoverished city with a volatile, autocratic king, and they can’t leave. Phobos bleeds Meridian dry without any regard for his people, and Kandrakar lets him do that while making sure their borders are secure. It’s so important that the W.i.t.c.h. are essentially told that everything that comes from Meridian is evil, that the people of Meridian are monsters, and that their priority is to guard those borders.

Then, they see Meridian for the first time while they look for Taranee, and they find normal people. Galgheita saves them and later on tells them the story of Meridian from the perspective of someone who is affected, and it changes their entire perception. From then on, they support the people of Meridian against Phobos when they can, and eventually – obviously also due to Elyon – they decide that guarding the Veil is not enough. To actually solve the problem, they have to tackle its roots, not its symptoms, and the root is Phobos. At the same time, Elyon works through what she’s been told by the one-man propaganda machine that is Cedric, and together, they break the cycle from both sides. This arc fucks and Kandrakar is already in the first arc not entirely in the right.

[cometartist]

Reblog with your own Art Style Inspiration.

[holyrunawaychild]

Paleotheos

Forward: I’m sharing my work on a story I’ve been working on here as an outlet for my creative process for. This post will cover the basics of the world and overall plot (to a certain extent, I still want to keep some pieces close to the chest). Feel free to ask any questions or inquire on certain parts of my writing through replies or rebloging.

What is Paleotheos?

Paleotheos (Literally ‘Old Gods’) is a story/series I’ve been working on for since Fall of 2023. It’s a prehistoric fantasy inspired by magical girl series like W.I.T.C.H. and Winx Club, in a setting inspired by Dinotopia. 

Story

Paleotheos follows the story of five girls who’ve been brought back to life by Divine Spirits. Now Divine Aspects, the girls must journey to understand who they are and what their place is in a world where they are both gods and ants.

In later posts I’ll be covering the story up through the first three planned arcs/books (Awakened Aspects, Ghosts of the Old World, and Into the Elderwood) as well as a prequel set a thousand years prior (FateWeavers).

Characters

A brief synopsis of central characters that will go more in depth in separate character specific posts. The blurbs specifically are based on Awakened Aspects, ie arc 1.

Kex - the Aspect of Lightning and defacto leader of the Aspects, Kex knows little of her past and less of herself. But when the witch Mecana started to appear in her dreams and point her to the Elemental Temples, Kex took her fate in her own hands. Now with a motley group of friends, Kex hopes their journey will enlighten her on who she really is. Something that wouldn’t be concerning if there weren’t people that seem to know more about her than she does. 

Elohi - the Aspect of Earth, praised for her beauty and valued for her strength, as one of the older girls she’s made herself the guardian of their misfit band. But journeying into places and memories she had never explored, a question wavers her resolve. Will she be strong enough to protect her new friends?

Kumari - the Aspect of Fire, Kumari is a girl trapped between two identities. In her past life, she was a gladiator fighting for her freedom, trusting no one but herself. Now, she’s an amicable individual, quick to earn friends and loyal to the end. When the memories of her old life come back it divides her self perception. Will she be able to know which face and life is truly her?

Adal - the Aspect of Water, an obnoxious flirt and total mess of a human being, Adal lives life at its fullest, the consequences be damned. And when they finds an odd girl with lightning powers on the side of a road, Adal find themself on an adventure they can’t say no to. A journey with new friends, divine spirits and a history forgotten. What could possibly go wrong?

Xaawo - The Aspect of Air, Xaawo makes it a priority to learn and document as much as she can about the world she finds herself in, much to the annoyance of her new friends. Her love of discovery is to be sufficiently satisfied while joining Kex and the other Aspects on their journey. Entering places that paint an awe inspiring canvas of the world that came before. How will she react when she learns that she’s part of that canvas?

Mecana - An elderly, mammoth riding witch that appears in Kex’s dreams that points her and in turn her friends to the Elemental Temples. In those ancient places she promises they’ll discover the secrets to their pasts and their natures as Divine Aspects. However, it’s hard to tell if she’s just an elderly hag or knows much more than she leads on.

Elytheon - the mysterious Aspect of Wood and hailing from the isolated Elderwood, Elytheon meets the girls as another wayward traveler, joining them on their journey. Though as parts of the young man’s past are revealed the girls, they begin to question if he approaches them as friend or foe.

Broad Concepts

Divine Aspects

The Paleotheos equivalent to fairies, sailor scouts, or guardians. A person is a divine aspect when their spirit/soul is intertwined with a divine spirit. The union grants the individual the powers of that spirit, in return allowing the spirit to experience the world around them. Divine spirits have no will or conscious of their own, and if the aspect is killed, the spirit finds another soul to bond to. Typically these souls are ones claimed by the spirit previously (ie the divine spirit of Fire claims souls of those who were killed by fire, and any of those souls could become a divine aspect). As such, Kex and her friends are just the newest aspects to be risen from death. 

When aspects utilize their powers, tattoo-like markings light up on their body. The pattern of these markings are unique to each aspect.

Divine Beasts

The first transformation that the Aspects unlock, a divine beast is the unadulterated power of an aspect’s divine spirit brought to the forefront. Often taking the form of prehistoric creatures, a divine beast is an aspect’s most powerful form, however it is not without risk. To transform, an aspect’s divine spirit must give themselves up to the divine spirit within. While transformed, the aspect has no direct control over their actions. And if they remain in their divine beast form for too long, the transformation will become permanent.

Divine Beasts are often - but not always - prehistoric animals. In comparison to similar animals that naturally live in the world of Paleotheos, Divine Beasts have inherited fantastic traits. So, though Kex’s divine beast form is that of a T-Rex, doesn’t mean it looks the same at other T-Rexes within the story. Creatively speaking, this means they don’t have to be tied to the known physiology of these creatures.

Zenith Form

Analogous to your more traditional transformations in the magical girl genre, an aspect’s zenith form allows them to tap into the power of their divine spirit. All the while allowing them to keep their will and conscious.

[atane-is-here]

Another Elfric. This time Inspired by @natalie-the-chimera s BG3 chara. Liked the green of the outfit.

[llama-aesthetics]

Welcome!

My Aesthetics Blog were I post my aesthetic/moodboards and reblog other boards as well!

Have a suggestion for me? Drop it in a question!

(SFW, wholesome, no NSFW, dolls, cartoons, etc.)

Planned Boards for the future (list to be updated):

Lalaloopsy (2025)

Bratzillaz

Novi Stars

Main Blog: Lovely Llama (@lovelyllamasblog)

borders @saradika

[waterfall-ambience]

toyed with the idea of drawing a perpetua parent-clone duo as frankenstein + the creature (like, as a silly halloween thing), but oops it works well with most of them.

minerva & avery - mad scientist and her son, most overt parent-child dynamic. minerva canonically likes the story, they would totally do this for halloween and it would be cute.

luna & damien - starts off as something of a creator/creation dynamic, has very frankenstein-y motifs (damien's lightning, necromancy, (initial) rage towards creator). depending on the adaptation you go off of*, pinocchio could also work well (damien wanting to be 'real', coming of age, etc. also i pitch you: luna as a very miserable geppetto)

icarus & newton - THE mad scientist and his creation. newton carries a lot of that anger towards his creator and tendency to vibe in the woods + classic literature. however newton is not organic, aesthetically he's closer to pinocchio, and i like to think he was more of a troublemaker to begin with, like in collodi's pinocchio.

*lets be real though the story elements & characterisation from the del toro adaptation work best for these purposes

[katerinaaqu]

Girl girl GIRL! 💖💖💖💖💖🤯💖💖💖💖💖

You can't just casually drop masterpieces around you know! The world is not ready! 🫶✨️

Gosh that vulture is fantastic! The way her wings spread all over him and protects him! And those colors! 👏🔥🙌 it was a great idea to use a lesser known bird for her bird form! So many creatures to choose from! It looks ominous and yet hell no it is sweetheart protecting him! And man I love Caleb sleeping like an old school cowboy or bounty hunter hahahaha I love the hat man! That hat is everything! Haha and of course fluffy Caleb again hahaha 😆

Oh man that cloth she is wearing! Man that royal crimson/purple and the long clothing that is still soft and comfortable that is so her! And all the golden details in her clothing! ✨️ oh gosh! And of course Caleb's twiterpated look hahaha oh gosh he thinks he is dreaming! And gosh she is caught hahahaha she is a powerful immortal goddess and the cheesy boy got her hahahaha 😆 😂 💕

Gosh details like the rain drops are amazing! Or her bronze skin and muscles as opposing to his olive complexion and the way he looks at her oh gosh! Hahaha ❤️ silly duo can never have enough of them hahaha 😆 😂 🤣 I love your little text there dear! 💕 it soooo fits them!

More Mythology AU✨ Caleb sleeps as Goddess Dilla (shifting between her bird and human form) shelters him from the rain. ❤️

As he stirs awake his eyes widen in wonder, captivated by the ethereal being before him. Without thinking his hand reaches out to touch her, desperate to know if she’s real.

In that tender, fleeting moment, Dilla's heart races. This mortal, with his simple gesture, awakens a feeling deep within her, something she has never known in her long, lonely existence.

[julia-beatrice]

Eevee and eeveelutions inspired by W.I.T.C.H. covers

[darlenchanted-art]

Happy Valentines Day, Fairies! 💜

Did I just draw Winx simping for Musa? Probably xD

I was inspired by this W.i.t.c.h. cover

And I know I drew their reboot transformation inaccurate, it's too extra for me

[miraculouslbcnreactions]

A note on "Miraculous treads on very much explored territory and still fails epically".

Thomas Astruc used to work (as a crew member, not a leader, but still) on W. I. T. C. H.

Which is:

A magical girl show with team dynamics

A show that mixes episodic and serialized format

A show where two the male romantic interests have a massive role (Caleb is a main character on par with the six girls, and Matt has an epic character arc)

A show with a strong mystery element

A show with manipulative villains (sometimes with schemes reaolved within an episode! And sometimes longer), villains that turn out to be family members, sympathetic villains, loathsome villains... Great, complex villains, almost all of them

A mean girl quasi-redemption arc

A show that does all of the aforementioned elements very well. Also, better diversity despite being 10 years older.

Yet when I watch ML, I see no inspiration (despite many common motifs), no lessons learned, no indication that the lead writer ever got anything from the experience working on that show. Unless the lesson was "W. I. T. C. H. got cancelled after two seasons, so everything about the show was wrong and we should do ML differently".

(Mind you, WITCH got more plot in two seasons than ML did in five, and still wrapped up the story fairly well)

Sorry for the rant. I kinda know that the explanation for "why is ML not like that" is "ML is forced to be an episodic show against its will", but also.

ML is trying very hard to pretend that it's More Than an Episodic Show and Not Only for Kids, and really doesn't measure up with shows with seemingly similar premises.

(Post that inspired this ask)

Before we get into it, if anyone likes fun theme songs and missed the American opening to W.I.T.C.H.'s first season then I have a treat for you!!!

Top tier opening song! Other countries were robbed!

Anyway, I agree with everything you said and this ask got me curious about the writing staff. I started doing some digging and a lot of them appear to have worked on other shows that would fall with the same genres as Miraculous. Many of those shows were even episodic formula shows that reserved the serialized elements for season finals and specials (looking at you Code Lyoko!) That doesn't shock me, but it does just add to my curiosity as to what the heck is going on with Miraculous.

These aren't new comers to the industry in over their heads, they're established professionals! Why are they struggling so hard to tell a good story while working with an incredibly simple premise? Why are aren't they embracing the show's limits and making it the best it can be in its chosen category? I'd love to know the full story, but alas, I likely never will. My best guess is that commercial success has got to their heads and so they're convinced that any criticism they see can't possibly be valid. At least, that's what the head writer's twitter feed seems to suggest every time I see screen caps from it...

[vandoesart]

Tiny W.I.T.C.H.!!

My cyberpunk w.i.t.c.h. fanart has been getting some attention lately and that inspired me to draw some new fanart, so here they are, but tiny!!

[deminshi]

Hay Lin's room

These days I've re-reading the W.I.T.C.H comics and gave me a MASSIVE inspiration to draw them 😫. My whole childhood tbh.

You can buy a print here!

[holyrunawaychild]

In wanting to work on some of my personal projects in between Wereworld/Wolf King stuff, I’m working on sharing character profiles done for the Paleotheos cast.

In preparation for that, here’s a post with brief snippets of the main girls with their playlists.

Kex - the Aspect of Lightning and defacto leader of the Aspects, Kex knows little of her past and less of herself. But when the witch Mecana started to appear in her dreams and point her to the Elemental Temples, Kex took her fate in her own hands. Now with a motley group of friends, Kex hopes their journey will enlighten her on who she really is. Something that wouldn’t be concerning if there weren’t people that seem to know more about her than she does.

Elohi - the Aspect of Earth, praised for her beauty and valued for her strength, as one of the older girls she’s made herself the guardian of their misfit band. But journeying into places and memories she had never explored, a question wavers her resolve. Will she be strong enough to protect her new friends?

Kumari - the Aspect of Fire, Kumari is a girl trapped between two identities. In her past life, she was a gladiator fighting for her freedom, trusting no one but herself. Now, she’s an amicable individual, quick to earn friends and loyal to the end. When the memories of her old life come back it divides her self perception. Will she be able to know which face and life is truly her?

Adal - the Aspect of Water, an obnoxious flirt and total mess of a human being, Adal lives life at its fullest, the consequences be damned. And when they finds an odd girl with lightning powers on the side of a road, Adal finds themself on an adventure they can’t say no to. A journey with new friends, divine spirits and a history forgotten. What could possibly go wrong?

Xaawo - The Aspect of Air, Xaawo makes it a priority to learn and document as much as she can about the world she finds herself, much to the annoyance of her new friends. Her love of discovery is to be sufficiently satisfied while joining Kex and the other Aspects on their journey. Entering places that paint an awe inspiring canvas of the world that came before. How will she react when she learns that she’s part of that canvas?

[prythiansprincess]

kiss with a fist | chapter six.

home | chapters | playlist

pairing: theodore nott x reader.

song inspiration: w.i.t.c.h. - devon cole

author's note: some cute soft fluff cause i'm in a tender mood.

In all your years at Hogwarts, you could count the amount of times you’ve attended a quidditch game on one hand and you wouldn't even need to utilize all of your fingers. Needless to say, you weren’t really into the rowdiness and belligerence of sporting events, but a bargain was a bargain. You were just glad to have Luna with you. Even if it meant enduring Pansy Parkinson’s presence. 

“Be nice,” Luna warned as you approached the stands. 

“I won’t bite if she doesn’t,” you murmured back. 

Luna nodded, knowing that it was the closest thing to an agreement she was ever going to get out of you. Despite your surliness, your friend seemed to brighten the minute she spotted Pansy. In a sea of blue and gold, the dark haired witch was the only one clad in green and silver. Your housemates kept exchanging wary glances at the Slytherin in their midst, but they were wise enough to keep their mouths shut. 

You watched quietly as Pansy and Luna exchanged pleasantries. While your friend was generally a bubbly person, she seemed extra giddy as she spoke. There was something about the way that she softened that convinced you to ease up on the scowls. It must have been contagious, because Pansy actually smiled and it wasn’t a derisive sneer or a smug smirk, but a genuine smile. You didn’t even know the witch was capable of it. 

Finally, she seemed to take stock of your presence. The dark haired girl jutted her chin out proudly, her aristocratic features schooled into forced neutrality. It occurred to you that Pansy probably received a similar warning to attempt decency. 

“Y/N,” she said. 

“Pansy,” you replied. 

The two of you eyed each other. Sizing up your opponent. The eagle versus the snake, claws against teeth. The staredown was purely psychological warfare. 

You squinted. Hurt her and I’ll maim you. 

The silent warning didn’t seem to offend Pansy. Instead, she gave a subtle nod of her chin and made way for you and Luna to sit. You settled in, trying not to peer down at the drop. Heights had never really been your thing. 

Pansy observed you curiously as Luna patted your arm. “Y/N’s not a big fan of heights.” 

“Oh?” Parkinson asked. 

“I generally prefer solid ground. It reduces the chances of me falling and breaking my neck.” The corner of Pansy’s mouth quirked. “What about you, Parkinson? Are you keen on flying?” 

“A bit.” 

Luna brightened. “She’s being modest. Pansy here is a very talented flyer. She’s got an Abraxan named Circe.”

“The most powerful witch to ever live,” you noted. “She used to turn men into swine.” 

“A lost art, really.” 

You smirked. “The classic femme fatale. A personification of the dangers of femininity. They always paint powerful women in a terrible light, don’t they?” 

“Perhaps it makes the men feel better about their own inadequacies.” 

“We’re always making men feel better about their inadequacies,” you answered thoughtfully. “Convenient that the myths fail to mention that Circe was one of the first pharmakis. Modern magic would not be what it is without her extensive knowledge of herbs and plants and yet she’s rarely credited in any potions books we read.”

Pansy nodded, eyeing you in amusement. “I can see why Nott has taken a liking to you.” 

You turned to Luna who immediately shook her head. Pansy laughed. “Don’t worry, Lovegood didn’t tell me a thing. She didn’t have to. Theodore never stops talking about you, you know.” 

There was no hiding the flush that crept up to your cheeks. “We’re both vying for the top spot in Slughorn’s class. I assume he has a lot to say about his competition.” 

“It’s more than that,” Pansy said. “I’ve known Theodore since birth and I’ve never seen him put this much effort into anything. He’s always been naturally talented at potions, given his mum’s background, but you challenge him. For the first time in a long time, he’s found someone who’s actually up to par. I, for one, enjoy watching you put him in his place.” 

You smiled. “I quite enjoy it too.” 

Luna looked at you, then at Pansy before a huge grin graced her lips. It was obvious that she was pleased at the sight of her best friend and her…potential more-than-friend getting along.

The game started not long after. Your comprehension of the rules were rudimentary at best, but Luna made sure to explain as best as she could. From what you gathered, there were four positions: seeker, beater, chaser, and keeper. The chasers attempted to score as many goals as they could by throwing the quaffle through the posts, which the keepers guarded. The beaters used the bludgers to disrupt the other players. The seeker, on the other hand, needed to catch the golden snitch. All while floating on a broom hundreds of feet in the air. 

This match, Pansy explained, had been anticipated to be the most brutal of the season. The enmity between the Gryffindors and the Slytherins translated very clearly on the field. While there had always been a divide of support between the other houses, you could tell that the majority of the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff stands were cheering for the Gryffindors. 

You wondered how that made the Slytherins feel. Three houses against one. After the war, Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic droned on and on about the importance of unity and reconciliation. Professor Slughorn even delivered a speech during your first potions class, but the disparity between words and actions were painfully obvious. 

The rest of the school still mistrusted the Slytherins. If any of them cared, you wouldn’t have been able to tell. Especially not as they played. The quidditch team was deadly. You watched as green and silver robes whizzed past, familiar names sprawled on the jerseys. Malfoy, Zabini, Riddle, Berkshire, Warrington, Rosier, and Nott. 

Theo winked as he flew past your portion of the stands. You rolled your eyes, but held your breath as he careened towards one of the goal posts. Ron Weasley stood guard, squinting suspiciously at Theo. The flash of the quaffle was too fast for your eyes to follow, but it sliced the air all the same, slipping through an opening above Ron’s shoulder. The redhead cursed as Theo gave him a mocking bow. 

Pansy was the lone witch in your section to cheer for the Slytherins. Luna joined her in solidarity when the crowd grew quiet. Suspicious glances were cast in your direction, which you rebuffed with a menacing glare. They all found something else to look at rather quickly. 

Displeasure rippled over the crowd as the Slytherins kept scoring. Theo was an unstoppable force. Warrington and Riddle flanked him at each side, throwing bludgers at anyone who attempted to thwart his efforts. The other two chasers, Berkshire and Zabini, circled around them in an aerial formation that confused the opposing team. The Gryffindors grew increasingly frustrated when Evangeline Rosier kept rebuffing their attempts to score. 

Both teams played well, but the Slytherins were ruthless, tactical, and efficient. They used the opposing team’s weaknesses against them. The Gryffindors tended to be over reactive and Theo used it to his advantage. He baited them into making rash plays, which left openings for him and the other chasers to exploit. 

By the end of the game, it was Berkshire who scored the winning goal. The discrepancy between the cheers and booing was insurmountable, but Pansy didn’t seem to care. She cheered for the team louder than anyone. As the win was formally announced, you heard murmurs coming from below you. 

“Stupid Death Eater bitch.” 

From the corner of your eye, you saw Pansy tense. Luna’s mouth hung agape as she wheeled around to identify the foul mouthed culprit. You were quicker. 

“What did you just say?” you asked in a deathly quiet voice.

The conversations around you stopped as you faced Romilda Vane. The smug faced witch crossed her arms, her scarlet and gold scarf billowing in the wind as she looked up at the three of you. 

“You heard me,” Romilda said in a haughty voice. “Her father was one of the Dark Lord’s staunchest supporters. As were the Malfoys and Notts. Not to mention Riddle. How he was allowed back at school is a mystery to me. They should all be in Azkaban.” 

Your ears began to ring. The crowd parted as you descended the bleachers, bringing you face to face with Romilda. “I wasn’t aware that you’d recently earned a place in the Wizengamot. For all your prattling, you’d think you were the Chief Warlock.” 

She cowered under your glare, but doubled down as she looked towards her friends. “I’m only saying what everyone else is thinking. As far as I’m concerned, the Slytherins should be punished for their crimes.” 

“I hardly think you’re speaking from any moral high ground, Romilda. Didn’t you try to dose Potter with Amortentia in sixth year?”

Romilda reddened as she sputtered nonsense. The students around you snickered, but all you could hear was the rush of blood in your ears. You clenched your fists so tightly that your nails dug painfully into your palms. If you hadn’t, you might’ve punched that stupid smirk right off of her face. 

But you knew that physical violence was not the answer. There were far more strategic ways to land a blow and you were an expert in this type of warfare. 

“I suppose Harry’s lucky that your potion making is about as incompetent as your critical thinking skills. Now move before I make you.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing getting tangled up with all those snakes. They’ll sink their teeth into your back the second you turn it.” 

“One of them is worth ten of you. At least the Slytherins fought to defend the castle instead of running off like a coward. They may have teeth, but at least they know how to use them. You’re all roar and no bite.” 

“You’re a bitch, Y/N.” 

You reared back, baring your teeth. “Oh you have no idea, Vane. But I’d be glad to demonstrate.” 

Romilda held her ground. For a split second, you weighed the consequences of harming a fellow student versus the satisfaction of pummeling Romilda to the ground. Luckily for the idiotic Gryffindor, Luna gently gripped you by the elbow. 

“It’s not worth it, Y/N.” 

You looked at your friend who wore an expression of concern. Beside her, Pansy didn’t say a word. She was utterly silent, almost resigned like she encountered this treatment on a daily basis. We all pay the price, Theo had said. 

Without another word, you nodded and bulldozed through Romilda as you exited the stands. It was only when the three of you reached the ground when you finally realized that you were shaking from anger. 

“Are you alright, Pans?” Luna asked, clasping Parkinson’s hand. 

Pansy shrugged. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me, Luna. If I let the opinion of an airheaded twat affect my day, I’d never have a good one again.” 

“Are you sure—” Luna fretted. 

Pansy smiled gently and squeezed her hand in assurance. “Truly, I’m alright. The only thing upsetting me at the moment is that I’ve left my scarf up there running from those hags. Would you mind getting it for me, Lu?” 

Your friend still looked worried, but she nodded and made the trek back up. You and Pansy stood in silence, watching as the last of the crowd trickled out of the stands. 

“Vane had no right to say that,” you said. It came out harsher than you expected. 

“At least she had the gall to say it to my face,” Parkinson stated with a shrug. “I don’t know if that makes her brave or stupid.” 

“Gryffindors often have trouble making the distinction.” 

The dark haired witch laughed. “You didn’t have to do that, you know. As moronic as she is, Vane is right. She was only voicing the opinion of the masses."

“But you fought in the final battle. I saw you rallying the others against the Death Eaters. Romilda wasn’t even there. She didn’t even fight.”

Pansy sighed. “A lot of good that did. I had to watch my friends duel against their own parents and yet this entire school still mistrusts us. I suppose I can’t blame them. The majority of the Dark Lord’s followers were produced by our house.”

“Not all Slytherins are bad. The world isn’t so black and white,” you said adamantly. “Most of us operate in the gray areas, whether we admit it or not. The only difference is that you lot don’t try to hide it.” 

“Yes, but a snake is a snake. Even when we shed our skin, they still see deception when they look at us.” 

“And you’re willing to just accept that?” 

Parkinson gave you a pointed look. What choice did she have? What choice did any of them have? 

After a beat of silence, you cleared your throat. “Are you sure you’re alright? Luna’s worried.” 

“I assure you, being villainized isn’t anything new to me. I suppose that’s why I named my horse after Circe," Pansy mused thoughtfully. "It’s better for them to believe that I’m some sort of evil sorceress than to realize that I am more shackled by my circumstances than I could ever be at Azkaban. My family name is a collar around my neck, waiting to choke me at any moment, but they’re so blinded by their own misconceptions that all they see are my teeth. I prefer it that way.”

“Oderint dum metuant.”

"Let them hate, as long as they fear." A faint smile bloomed on Pansy’s lips. "That’s awfully Slytherin of you to say. Are you sure you’re in the right house, Y/N?”

You chuckled. A beat of silence followed as understanding passed between you. Perhaps you had more in common with Pansy Parkinson than you thought. 

When Luna returned, the two of them tried to convince you to join them at the common room party, but you declined. You weren’t really in the mood to be around people. 

“You two go ahead. I’ll catch up later.” 

As the sun set over the school grounds, you found yourself at the Black Lake. Dusk tinged the horizon with pink and purple and the fluffy white clouds hung low enough to kiss the dark water. You settled at the end of the dock and dipped your toes into the lake, watching as the motion made ripples across the surface. Maybe it was unwise to linger here given that the lake was home to the merpeople and the giant squid, but they would be far in the depths and you were honestly too knackered to care. 

Sighing, you pulled out a silver flask from your robes. You had initially brought it for the after party, but it would’ve been a shame to let the firewhisky go to waste. 

“Illegal contraband?” A familiar voice teased just as the wood gave way beside you. Theo bumped his shoulder against yours as he sat. “I didn’t know you had it in you, Y/N.”

“Yeah, well maybe your idiotic tendencies are rubbing off on me.” 

“I’d like to rub more than just my tendencies on you.” 

You rolled your eyes and handed him the flask. “Just fucking drink, Theodore.” 

He grinned before taking a swig. You chuckled at the face he made from the burn of the Ogden’s. “That is straight up liquor," Theo remarked through his coughing fit. "You're out of control, diavolina. Should I be concerned?”

“We’re celebrating,” you said. “At least you should be. That was quite a win out there. I didn’t expect you to be so….efficient.” 

“Careful, Y/N. That was almost a compliment.” 

You shrugged. “To be fair, I haven’t been to a game in years. You could’ve been absolutely rubbish and I’d still think it was a feat that you managed to stay seated on that broom.” 

“Well, it is a pretty important component of quidditch. Did you at least attempt to enjoy yourself?” 

“It was a brutal game. There’s a lot more strategy and planning that goes into quidditch than I initially thought. It’s like chess, but you’re allowed to hit people. I had a blast.” 

Theo chuckled. “I should’ve known you’d get a kick out of all that violence.” 

Warmth spread through your body as you took another swig. “Shouldn’t you be celebrating your win at the party?” 

His fingers brushed yours as you handed the flask back to him. “I’m where I want to be.” 

This time, you weren’t sure if it was the firewhisky or Theo’s presence making you flush. The two of you kept drinking in silence as you peered up at the sky. Back home in London, you never would’ve been able to see the stars this clearly. They glittered in the night sky like tiny diamonds etched through the darkness. 

“I heard about what happened earlier,” Theo said after a moment. 

You weren’t surprised. Word traveled fast around this school. “Luna told you?” 

“No. Pansy did.” He shifted, turning over to look at you. Like a moth drawn to a flame, you did too. “You did a good thing, Y/N. You stood up for Pansy. I can’t thank you enough.” 

“I was only doing what anyone else would’ve done.” 

“No. You weren’t.” Theo set the flask down. “No one else would’ve come to her defense. Pansy, she’s the strongest one out of all of us. Draco, Mattheo, and I, we can always resort to punches when we’re insulted, but Pansy doesn’t have that option. She just has to sit there and take it. It means a lot that someone spoke up for her.”

“I did the bare minimum.”

“It still meant a lot.” 

“There’s no need to thank me for—”

Theo sighed in exasperation. “For Salazar’s sake, will you just take my gratitude without arguing?”

You bit back a smile. “Fine. I acknowledge your gratitude.” 

You downed the rest of the flask as Theo lit a cigarette. The flame from that curious Zippo flickered in the darkness as smoke filled the air.

“So,” Theo started, taking a deep inhale. “Are you ready for the slug club dinner next week? I’m not even invited to the bloody thing and yet I still know every detail thanks to McLaggen’s incessant prattling. What a twat.” 

“Cormac is kind of a twat, isn’t he?” you asked, giggling as the alcohol started taking its effect. “I heard that he kisses like a fork tongued lizard.” 

Theo’s eyes flashed. “You better not know that firsthand.” 

You wrinkled your nose. “I wouldn’t go near McLaggen’s mouth with a ten foot broom.” 

“Good. I can rest easy that you won’t be replacing me with a reptilian snogger.”

“You can rest easy either way. I’m not going to that dinner.” 

Theo paused, the cigarette hanging haphazardly from between his lips. “What do you mean you’re not going?” 

“It’s a pretty straightforward sentence, Nott. I will not be attending Professor Slughorn’s ridiculous dinner.” 

“You have to go,” he declared firmly. 

“I’m confused. Do you want me to snog the lizard or not?” 

Theo frowned. “Do not snog McLaggen unless you want me to turn him into an actual reptile.” He exhaled and smoke curled around his lips. “You can’t miss that dinner.”

“I have no interest in attending.” 

He stared at you, his gaze fixed with determination. “Is this about what Slughorn said the other day?” 

You picked at your fingers, avoiding his eyes. “It’s probably going to be boring, anyways. Just a pissing contest for us to compare our grades and achievements like we’re puppets on a string.” 

“You should still go.” 

“Why?” you asked, a bit irritated that Theo was pushing for this so hard. You would’ve thought that he of all people would understand your choice. “Why would I subject myself to be part of something that judges people based on prejudice rather than merit?”

Theo’s expression softened. “Because it’ll raise your chances of joining the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers. That’s your dream, isn’t it?”

You reeled back in surprise. “How do you know about that?” 

He rolled his eyes. “You only talk about it a thousand times a day.” Theo raised his brow in challenge. “Slughorn’s one of the most influential members. If you go to the dinner, it might solidify a formal invitation.” 

Theo was right. You didn’t want him to be, but he was right. Under any other circumstance, you would’ve sabotaged and plotted and schemed for a way in. This was an opportunity to distinguish yourself from your fellow classmates, so why were you hesitating?

You knew why. You were looking right at him.

“I’ll drag you there myself if I have to,” Theo declared. 

You sighed. There was no way he was going to let this go. “Fine, I’ll think about it.” 

Theo smiled triumphantly. You kicked at the water, sending a wave across the still lake. “You know, if Slughorn knew that you were a Marchesi, he’d probably fall all over himself to recruit you. Hell, anyone would. You’re practically guaranteed a place at the Society, too.”

Theo shrugged nonchalantly. “Where would the fun be in that?” 

“I’m serious, Nott. It could open up doors for you.”

He sighed. “That’s exactly why I’ve kept the knowledge to myself. I’m tired of everyone judging me based on my family, good or bad. I want to accomplish something that’s solely mine. Not Nott, not Marchesi. Just Theo.”

“That’s uncharacteristically noble of you.”

“I told you, I’m not just a pretty face. I’m also rich, witty, intelligent, athletic, etc. Honestly, the list goes on and on.”

You snorted. “Just don’t expect humble to be part of that little myriad, Theo.”

Theo paused. The moment of silence swelled between you like an errant wave. Then, a huge smile broke out on his face. 

“What?” you asked. 

“You called me Theo.”

“Well, that is your name. Has quidditch concussed you so severely that you’ve forgotten?

He responded with an eye roll. “I’m perfectly lucid, thank you very much. Well, besides the firewhisky. I’m a little bit sloshed from that, but not sloshed enough to not notice you call me by my actual name. Not Theodore, not Nott, not twat, not oh god—”

“I get it, Theo.”

His grin grew wider. “There it is again. Theo.”

“It’s just a name, nothing special.”

“It is when you’re the one saying it.” 

“Oh, shut up.”

The satisfied smirk on his face refused to budge even as the sky grew darker. The two of you sprawled out on the dock, staring up at the sky and enjoying the comfortable silence. Theo toyed with his lighter, rubbing his thumb over the spark wheel, which caused the flame to flicker on and off.

You stared at the lighter, vision blurring from the alcohol. “Why do you have that thing?”

“I told you, Mattheo’s a little thief.” 

“No, I mean I know the reason. But I just can’t figure out why.” 

Theo scrunched his brows in confusion. “Are you sure you’re not the one concussed?” 

“Would a concussed person be able to do this?”

You propped yourself up on your elbows and slightly flipped to the side. The action made your hair come loose. 

“What in Merlin’s name am I supposed to be looking at right now?” 

“I’m obviously doing a cartwheel,” you deadpanned. “Aren’t I?” 

Theo chuckled. “You are one drunk witch, Y/N.” 

“M’not drunk.” He raised a brow. “Fine, maybe I’m a tiny bit bevved, but you’re the one avoiding my question.”

“Sorry,” Theo said rather unapologetically. “I’m a bit distracted at the moment.” 

“By what?” 

“Your hair,” he murmured softly. Theo reached out and toyed with a loose strand, twisting a long lock between his fingers. He swallowed thickly, his voice lower and huskier than it was a minute ago. “You should wear it down more often.” 

“It’s a hassle.” 

He swept it over your shoulder, knuckles brushing your cheek. “It’s beautiful.” 

Your cheeks warmed. Whether from the alcohol or his touch, you couldn’t differentiate. “Stop deflecting, Nott.” 

Theo rolled his eyes. “Relentless witch. Can’t you see I’m trying to have a moment here?” 

You gave him a pointed look. Theo sighed before handing over his lighter. Up close, you could see that the silver was worn and dented. It looked much older than you initially thought. To your surprise, Theo silently waved his wand and the lighter transformed into a heart shaped locket. 

“When my nonna gave me the grimoire, it came with this. It was Alessandra’s old locket. She treasured it more than the grimoire itself.” 

“What’s so special about it?” 

“Open it.” 

Your fingers stilled. “Are you sure?”

“Don’t get shy now, diavolina. You wanted to know and now I’m telling you.” 

You hesitated for a moment before curiosity got the best of you. The locket popped open easily. Inside was a picture of a dark haired woman standing next to a man with watercolor eyes and thick brown curls. The couple looked at each other with love and adoration in their eyes. 

“That’s Alessandra, obviously. The man was Damiano, her closest friend, the mad scientist of the village, and the cleverest muggle she’d ever met. He helped author the grimoire.” 

“I never knew that Alessandra had help with her inventions.” 

Theo nodded. “As my family intended. They didn’t approve of her relationship with Damiano, but she didn’t care. They fell madly in love and eventually married.” 

“How is it possible that no one knew about him?”

“Damiano was born with a unique illness that was incurable even with magic. Alessandra poured years of her life into finding a cure, but in the end he succumbed to it. She passed away only a year after him. My nonna said that she died of a broken heart.” Theo took the chain and traced his fingers over the picture. “They left behind two young children who were eventually raised by Alessandra’s parents. Their son and daughter grew up not knowing who their father was. The Marchesis did everything in their power to keep the knowledge to themselves. They didn’t want anyone to know that their great bloodline was tainted by a muggle.” 

Theo bowed his head in shame. He avoided your gaze, choosing to look out at the Black Lake instead. “There it is. The secret that my family has guarded for centuries. The sad part is that some of them still hold those bigoted beliefs, so when people assume the worst of me, I can’t blame them. The Marchesis, the Notts, either way you look at it, there’s bad blood coursing through my veins.” 

“That’s not true, Theo,” you said softly. “You know I don’t think that of you, right?” 

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did. Everyone else does.” 

“Well, I don’t,” you said firmly. “You said it earlier. Family isn’t all that a person amounts to. When I look at you, I don’t see a Nott or a Marchesi. I just see Theo.” 

“I don’t deserve that,” he whispered. The saddest part was that you were sure he meant it. “My great great great grandmother fell in love with a muggle and how did my family repay her for it? They blotted him out of existence.” 

The starlight caressed his forlorn expression with its silver glow, painting a heartbreaking depiction of Theo that you had never seen before. It reminded you of that day in the potions lab when he was talking about his mother. There was such an openness and vulnerability in him then that was present now as well and you realized why he looked at you the way he did that day. 

Theo hadn’t been waiting for you to give him an out. He wanted—no, he needed a friend and you had been too scared to step up then, but you weren’t now. You could be that for him. You wanted to be that for him. A friend. 

Without second guessing yourself, you reached out in the space between you and grabbed hold of his hand. Theo stared at your intertwined fingers in surprise. 

“The love between Damiano and Alessandra lives on,” you said with a small smile. “In their children and their children’s children. In…you.” 

Those watercolor eyes, the very same ones that you had grown so familiar with shone with emotion. Unlike the day in the lab, Theo didn’t put up his mask of cockiness and arrogance and you realized with a start that you didn’t want him to. 

He smiled and squeezed your hand gently. “Yes, I suppose I inherited Damiano’s affinity for cruel, brilliant witches.”

"Affinity is putting it lightly," you said teasingly. "Admit it. You're obsessed with me, Nott."

You blinked as Theo hovered over you. The weight of his body pressed against yours ignited a flame of fiendfyre in your core. He dipped his head down, his curls tickling your nose. "No, not Nott. Not Theodore. Try that again, diavolina."

You wriggled underneath him, but Theo held your hips in place. He brushed his lips against yours and smirked when you tried to kiss him. His low rumble of laughter sent shivers down your spine. "Say it. Say my name again."

"If I say it, will you stop being a tease?"

Theo kissed your neck and laughed when you pouted in response. "Only one way to find out."

"I'll knee you in the crotch if you do that again, Theo."

He grinned. "There's a good girl," Theo said rather suggestively. You fought the urge to squirm at his words. He peppered kisses along your neck, your jaw, and your cheeks while you burst into a fit of drunken giggles. "For the record, I am obsessed with you, but I think you're a little bit obsessed with me too."

"You wish, Theo."

"You're going to be the death of me," he said huskily as he unbuttoned your cardigan. Theo's eyes were full of mischief as he dipped between your breasts, sucking on your flesh and leaving marks in his wake. "But I'm willing to die a happy man, Y/N."

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