#both with the variety of dynamic and effective art

[willfulscarlet]

Chibi-Cass is the most beautifully adorable ever

And Chibi-Barda vs a horde (a gang? a warren? a wrack?) of ninja-bunnies is also The Most Best

[loveemagicpeace]

🌹💫 How to Manifest According to Your Venus

Aries Venus

Manifesting Power:You can manifest through -Bold action, courage, and confidence. You manifestations are quickly by initiating new projects, relationships, or creative endeavors. You are spontaneous and assertive in your approach, making things happen through sheer willpower.  You go after what you want without hesitation, often using your natural leadership qualities to inspire others and create opportunities. You thrive in the chase and can manifest by taking risks and being adventurous.

Possessions & Power: You possess a magnetic, fiery energy that makes you stand out in any crowd. Your power lies in your ability to move forward fearlessly, often leading others through example.

Beauty: Dynamic, independent, and confident. Your beauty comes from your energy and assertiveness—people are drawn to your drive and boldness.

Taurus Venus

Manifesting Power: Patience, persistence, and sensuality. Venus in Taurus manifests through a slow but steady approach, believing in long-term growth and stability. You create abundance by building solid foundations. You attract things through your loyalty and consistency. Your manifesting methods include creating beauty and comfort around you—whether through your environment, food, or relationships. Venus in Taurus takes time to cultivate and grow things of value.

Possessions & Power: You possess a natural ability to attract wealth and security, both material and emotional. Your power lies in your ability to create comfort and stability in your own life and for those you love.

Beauty: Earthy, grounded, and sensual. Your beauty is calm and soothing, exuding elegance and grace. You appreciate beauty in the simple things and radiate a warm, welcoming presence.

Gemini Venus

Manifesting Power: Communication, wit, and adaptability. Venus in Gemini manifests through their intellectual curiosity and social connections. You attract by speaking your truth, expressing ideas, and building relationships.You manifest by engaging with others and using your words to connect and persuade. You thrive on variety and intellectual stimulation, so manifesting often involves learning new things, networking, or writing.

Possessions & Power: You possess an innate charm and intellectual power. Your strength lies in your ability to adapt to different situations and communicate effectively.

Beauty: Clever, youthful, and playful. Your beauty comes from your quick wit and social grace. You charm others with your curiosity and light-hearted nature, making them seem endlessly interesting.

Cancer Venus

Manifesting Power: You manifest through emotion, through deep knowing, through the love you pour into the world. When you nurture something—whether it’s a relationship, a dream, or a home—it flourishes. The universe rewards your care with abundance. You can manifest deep love, emotional security, and profound soul connections. You don’t chase—you attract by making people feel seen in ways they never have before. You create spaces where people feel safe, and in return, life nurtures you back.Your beauty is soft yet powerful, like the moon reflecting on water. Your presence lingers, wrapping people in a warmth they didn’t know they needed. You are unforgettable.

Leo Venus

Manifesting Power: Charisma, creativity, and confidence. Venus in Leo manifests through their radiant personality and creative expression. You attract attention by being bold, generous, and shining brightly in everything you do. You manifest by embracing your leadership qualities, expressing themselves boldly, and showing love openly. Your approach to manifestation is dramatic and passionate, often involving the creative arts or public recognition.

Possessions & Power: You possess natural authority and charm. Your power lies in your creativity and ability to inspire others through your self-expression.

Beauty: Magnificent, regal, and confident. Your beauty is bold and captivating, often exuding an air of royalty. You have a magnetic presence that commands attention without effort.

Virgo Venus

Manifesting Power: Precision, practicality, and service. Venus in Virgo manifests by focusing on details, organization, and improving the lives of others. You attract by being helpful, grounded, and practical. You manifest through hard work, dedication, and service to others. Your method involves creating order, improving systems, and paying attention to the small things that make a big difference.

Possessions & Power: You possess an analytical mind and an ability to refine and perfect things. Your power lies in your ability to improve and enhance everything you touch.

Beauty: Subtle, natural, and earthy. Your beauty is understated, found in your simplicity, cleanliness, and attention to detail. You radiate an inner calm and serenity.

Libra Venus

Manifesting Power: You manifest by creating harmony, by moving through life with grace, by embodying pure elegance. You don’t chase—people, money, love… they all come to you because of the beauty you bring into the world. You can manifest partnerships, luxury, and artistic success. The more beauty you cultivate around you, the more effortlessly abundance flows into your life.

Possessions & Power: You possess a natural ability to create peace and beauty around you. Your strength lies in your ability to create unity and bring people together.

Beauty: Graceful, elegant, and refined. Your beauty is sophisticated and alluring, often defined by your sense of style and charm. You have a naturally balanced, appealing appearance.Your beauty is effortless, refined, intoxicating. You have it, that unnameable thing that makes people want to be near you. Your energy is pure poetry.

Scorpio Venus

Manifesting Power: Intensity, transformation, and magnetism. Venus in Scorpio manifests through deep emotional connections and personal transformation. You attract by embracing your emotional power and embracing vulnerability. You manifest by diving into the depths of emotion and allowing your intense feelings to guide you. You often manifest through personal transformation, relationships, or by letting go of old emotional baggage. You can manifest transformation, profound love, and deep healing. You don’t just want something—you become it. And in that becoming, it comes to you.

Possessions & Power: You possess deep emotional wisdom and a transformative power that allows you to heal yourself and others. Your power lies in your ability to experience and overcome profound emotional challenges.

Beauty: Mysterious, intense, and magnetic. Your beauty is often associated with your depth and emotional intensity. People are drawn to your powerful presence and unspoken allure.

Sagittarius Venus

Manifesting Power:  You manifest by expanding your horizons, chasing the unknown, and trusting the universe to bring you exactly what you need. You are ruled by adventure, freedom, and belief—when you want something, you don’t worry about how it will happen. You know it will. You can manifest travel, excitement, wisdom, and lovers who challenge and inspire you. Your magic is in your faith—the more you trust in possibility, the more doors open for you. Life rewards your fearlessness with thrilling opportunities.

Possessions & Power: You possess an expansive, adventurous spirit that drives you  to seek knowledge and new experiences. Your power lies in their ability to inspire others and to create powerful life for yourself. : Saying yes to the unknown, believing in abundance, and always seeking the next great adventure.

Beauty: You often appear youthful and radiant, with an infectious energy. Your beauty is wild, untamed, and electric. People are drawn to your energy, your laughter, the way you make the world feel bigger. Your presence is an open road, full of endless adventure.

Capricorn Venus

Manifesting Power: Discipline, ambition, and practicality. Venus in Capricorn manifests by working hard, setting goals, and building solid foundations. You attract through your  determination and ability to create long-term success. You can manifest status, financial security, and deep, unshakable commitment. You don’t rush—because you know anything worth having requires time and patience.

Possessions & Power: You possess an innate ability to achieve material success and stability. Your power lies in your discipline, strategic thinking, and long-term planning.

Beauty: Classic, sophisticated, and timeless. Your beauty is refined, often with a sense of maturity and authority. Youexude elegance and can look effortlessly put together.

Aquarius Venus

Manifesting Power: Innovation, individuality, and idealism. Venus in Aquarius manifests through creativity, unconventional ideas, and progressive thinking. You attract by embracing uniqueness and pushing boundaries. You manifest by thinking outside the box and using your originality to create change. You attract people and opportunities that align with your ideals and vision for the future.

Possessions & Power: You possess the power of innovation and independence, often being ahead of your time. Your strength lies in your ability to see possibilities that others may miss.

Beauty: Eccentric, futuristic, and unconventional. Your beauty is often unique, defined by your originality and individualistic flair. You stand out by not conforming to traditional beauty standards.

Pisces Venus

Manifesting Power: Compassion, intuition, and spirituality. Venus in Pisces manifests through empathy, imagination, and emotional depth. You attract through your ability to dream and see the beauty in everything. You manifest by tuning into your intuition and dreams, often using creative outlets like art or music. Your manifesting process is subtle, often relying on your emotional connections and faith.

Possessions & Power: You possess an artistic soul and an ability to connect with others on a deep emotional level. Your power lies in your creativity and your ability to inspire with love and compassion.

Beauty: Ethereal, dreamy, and enchanting. Your beauty is otherworldly, often soft, fluid, and gentle. You radiate a serene, almost mystical charm that draws others to you.

-Rebekah🦋🌊🍓

[hollowdeath]

professor potter

pairing: harry james potter x fem!reader AU (18+)

summary: 2 years after the war, harry accepted a position as a substitute professor at hogwarts and recognized you from his years as a student. old feelings come to the surface as you both try to remain professional to keep his position safe.

content warning: slight teacher/student dynamic (they used to be classmates, reader is 18+), mostly slow burn & angst. smut mostly doesn't happen til the end (masturbation, penetration)

word count: 12.5k

a/n: wrote this for fun between working on requests! thank you to everyone who sends them in, they're so good and i'm excited to post more soon! just another fluffy, angsty harry fic taking place in school w a hint of smut...kinda similar to my last one but thats ok ! as always not exactly book/movie/canon accurate i apologize !

it's your first day of your last year at hogwarts, and you're probably the only student here that's not completely thrilled to be back. young witches and wizards running around you in the halls with their robes dragging on the ground, completely in awe with each other at the architecture and moving portraits.

you have to admit, if hogwarts does anything right, it's the ambience. probably the only thing you'll miss after leaving this year is the magic castle itself, particularly the library and your dorm room, which have been your sanctuaries for the past 7 years. there's just no place in the world, even the wizarding world, you've found, that quite compares to hogwarts.

but no, unfortunately, not even the grandiose castle of every young wizard's dream was enough to make you want to stay here even a day longer than you had to. and trust, you were counting down the days.

there was a lot that went into your disdain for the school. after the war in your 5th year, nothing had been the same. sure, the building was restored to its original form and even had some upgrades installed, but the energy within the walls felt so…unsettling.

it had been more than 2 and half years since then, and most students who remember the war well had either graduated or moved on from it. you, however, continued to feel the effects of it every day.

you've had a lot of personal struggles since then mentally, which affects your social life. you've overheard your friends talking about how they don't feel like you're the same person and you inevitably bring them down. it wasn't long after that they stopped talking to you completely. you didn't bother to rekindle the connection; you were ready to leave this place behind anyways, what was the point in faking a friendship for another year?

even without all that, you truly just hated your classes. you actually used to be a scholar student in your day, consistently making the top of the headmaster's list every year until the war. and you still loved headmaster mcgonagall, of course, you don't think that'd ever change, it was mainly the other professors that gave you a hard time. once you showed signs of struggling and burn out, it was like they just completely gave up on you and moved on to the next eager, bright-eyed bushy-tailed 1st year to dote on.

no matter, because again, you were ready to leave for a variety of reasons. even if you had loved your professors and graduated at the top of the class, you still had no friends to celebrate with. and even if you had those so-called "friends" back in your life, you still felt completely alone with them.

and so you laid in bed, the same bed you've had for 7 years now, retracting the ornate trim on the ceiling like you have a million nights before.

you decided to look back at your schedule once more, floating the paper out of its folder in your bag and towards your open hand. you read through it slowly, but nothing had changed. pretty much the worst line up of classes you've had so far. particularly your least anticipated course, defense against the dark arts.

at this point, you'd had more than enough when it came to the dark arts. those death eaters nearly killed you in that war, and actually did manage to kill too many of your classmates and teachers in the process. you saw your second home crumble in front of you, classrooms you grew up in completely leveled and the bridge burned to the ground, so much death and destruction over nothing but power. you resented the dark magic in this world.

sighing, you set the paper down on your bedside table and roll over, attempting to fall asleep. you have plenty of early classes this year and don't look forward to having to wake up with the sun to make it to them on time.

you're wasting time in the bathroom just before your defense against the dark arts, your last class of the day, when your peace is interrupted by a group of girls who come in giggling and talking rapidly amongst each other. from inside your stall you can't help but tune into their gossip. it's the only thing you could hear and, who cares, you could use some good drama.

you tried to dissect their conversation but they were constantly talking over each other, squealing, giggling, and you couldn't understand a thing. after a few moments of craning your neck towards the door to get a better listen, one girl's voice stood out amongst the rest as she asked, "okay, but, who's going to try and flirt with potter first?" her question was followed by many desperate "me!" "me!" "me!"s, a wave of giggling following.

potter. there's no way…

the bells begin ringing, signaling your next class is starting soon, and the girls go rushing out of the bathroom together. you slowly open the stall door and walk to the closest mirror. pale, like you've seen a ghost.

they couldn't possibly be talking about harry potter, right?

just his name had become plenty famous in its own right. the boy who lived; the boy who lived twice. you hadn't heard his name mentioned in a long time, though that's not hard when you've hardly interacted with anyone here in a long time.

you remembered harry from your years before the war that you had shared with him. he was 2 years ahead of you, so it wasn't often you had the chance to speak with him, but he was pretty much as legendary as one student could be at hogwarts. however, whenever you did manage to have a conversation with him, you always thought he was cute. really cute.

okay, so maybe you had a ginormous crush on him your entire time at hogwarts. but so did pretty much every other girl. but you didn't just think he was cute, you admired his gentle nature and timid personality. despite his heroic and outright dangerous adventures, he was always so kind, so humble…

the bells begin ringing again, meaning you're now late to class. "shit." you mutter, grabbing your bag and stumbling through the bathroom door.

you're jogging to your dark arts class with a racing mind, still wondering why those girls would mention potter's name so randomly.

you turn the corner and see the classroom door is already closed. "shit." you mutter again, stomping your foot. now you have to open the heavy doors and draw everyone's attention towards you, quite literally the last thing in the world you want right now.

sighing, you push open one of the doors, making the loudest noises you've ever heard echo throughout the silent classroom. you walk in and, as expected, all eyes are on you.

you grit your teeth and close the door behind you, making your way towards an empty seat in the middle of the room. the silence lingers as your footsteps hit the ground, trying your best not to make eye contact with anyone. you hear a few snickers and whispers coming from behind, and you can already tell it's your old friend group. you roll your eyes, sighing as you drop your weight into the creaky wooden seat.

you hadn't realized, but headmaster mcgonagall was at the front of the room. you noticed once she continued talking, looking up to see her smiling at you. you returned it. you love how she's always liked you despite your grades slipping lately.

you quickly look back down at your hands as people begin to turn away from you, drawing their attention back to mcgonagall as she continues to introduce the class.

"like i was saying, class, we apologize for the change this semester and hope you'll be understanding of us as we navigate this situation carefully. i suspect you'll all be respectful and courteous to our guest as he donates his time to hogwarts and to you, our students."

you look back up, a confused look on your face. what change? what situation? what guest?

it didn't take you long to connect the dots. it's like everything was in slow motion. the girls talking in the bathroom, the guest, the reason all the front rows of seats in class were completely filled with girls…

"please, class, welcome hogwarts' very own, mr. harry james potter."

all at once, your eyes landed on harry, who had been sitting to the side, obscured from your vision by several girls and a pillar. as he walks towards mcgonagall, eager applause erupt from the girls and the boys offer mediocre claps. you're too stunned to react, watching harry intently as he shakes mcgonagall's hand with that same timid smile.

you can hardly believe your eyes. what is going on? why is he here? and how the hell does he look even better now than he did 2 years ago?

"thank you, headmaster mcgonagall," harry says shyly, turning to the students. his eyes immediately fall on you. you try to convince yourself he's looking just in front of you or even past you, but you can feel his stare into your eyes. its the only thing that breaks you out of your shock.

you blink a few times and slump into your seat, feeling your blood run cold at harry's eye contact. he looks down at the desk he's standing at and shuffles a few papers. you sink even lower into your chair. this can't be good.

"uh, well, hello…everyone," harry says awkwardly, earning some flirtatious giggles from the girls just ahead of you. "it's a pleasure to be here, really, despite the circumstances. uh, i'm sure as some of you know…i've been very close with the weasley family for years and feel devastated for bill– uh, professor weasley, that is," harry corrects himself nervously, clearing his throat and glancing at his papers again.

"and when he reached out to me personally, specifically me out of anyone, to teach in his place for this semester, i couldn't say no to him. so, while it's a real honor to be here with you all, please know it's just for this semester and then professor weasley will be back to continue with the lesson plan in the spring," harry explains, looking around the room yet always letting his eyes land on you specifically with a lingering gaze.

harry goes into the schedule for the semester, the skills you'll be learning, and, well, you can't really focus on what else because you're just completely lost in your own head.

harry potter, the harry potter, is your professor for an entire semester.

you were completely dumbfounded. he couldn't hardly be older than 20 years old at this point. he had only left hogwarts just 2 years prior, yet he looked so different. though the glasses and hair stayed relatively the same, he had matured in the face. a slight beard, defined smile lines, and he'd definitely spent some time in the gym…

seeing him in a button up with his old gryffindor tie on drove you mad. is he really getting you worked up in the middle of class by just standing there? you feel like you're 14 again, staring him down in the courtyard from behind a tree.

it doesn't help that you swear he keeps looking at you. specifically you. his gaze is unmistakable at this point, it can't be a coincidence.

you try to stop yourself from having these thoughts and physical reactions. if he's going to be your professor for an entire semester you have to get over this silly crush that was never going to work out anyway. though you're soon turning 19, it makes no difference if he's working with the school, it would never be allowed…

what are you even saying? as if anything would ever happen except in your dreams. all you're going to do is lust for him until christmas and then he'll be gone again, his name nothing but a spoken legend again.

before you can process all he's said, harry announces that everyone's free to leave once you grab a textbook from him. girls are immediately standing up and running to get in line, and the boys are rolling their eyes as they sluggishly follow behind.

you're inevitably the last one, getting a headache as you listen to girls try to ask harry all kinds of questions for a bit of his attention. he mostly just gives simple answers or laughs them off, referring back to the class or the textbook he was handing them in some way to change the subject.

mcgonagall eventually shoos the girls away, which harry thanks her for in a low tone. he hands a book to each of the boys in front of you before it comes down to you. as the boy in front of you is being escorted away by mcgonagall, you briefly catch harry putting the library card of your book inside the front cover before he closes it.

your eyes connect as he hands the book to you, but he doesn't let go. your heart instantly flutters.

"it's nice to see you again, [y/n]," he says softly, letting the weight of the book fall in your hands.

the way he says your name has you frozen in place. his pretty blue eyes have stayed just as mesmerizing. it takes a moment before you're able to wrap the book in your arms, offering him a friendly smile as you softly reply, "you too, harry…"

you're quickly making your way back to your room with the biggest, cheesiest smile plastered on your face. he remembered you. you had barely ever interacted with harry, only a handful of times as far as you could remember, and you were sure he had completely forgotten about you, or at least forgotten your name. you tried to chalk it up to him having access to the attendance records of the class and reading over your name, but you still felt like a giddy school girl skipping along day dreaming about her crush.

when you got back to your dorm, you set the class textbook down on your desk and went to turn around before looking back at it longingly. harry had just put the library card back in the book before handing it off to you. you were most likely crazy, but something inside you was insanely curious to see if he had done something to the card.

you slowly opened the book and took the card out, a blank piece of cardstock except for a fresh label printed at the top. you sigh, almost putting it back before seeing something on the card catch the shimmer of the light.

you give the card a curious look. you turn it in your hands towards the light, trying to see what's on it. before giving up in frustration, a thought comes into your brain.

no…

you dig into your luggage, still unpacked from the day prior, looking for your old ink and quill. once you find them you come back to the card, setting it on your desk as you open the ink pot. you dip your quill in the ink and touch it to the spot you noticed earlier.

as you watched, the ink collected into letters and numbers, forming a message across the dotted lines of the check out columns. you were stunned. harry actually wrote to you in disappearing ink? you thought you were delusional thinking it was a possibility, but here was the proof plain as day:

[y/n],

hagrid's, 8:30pm

harry

you kept rereading the lines over and over before they slowly disappeared, fading away into the paper. you stood back in pure disbelief. what does this mean? obviously it means he wants to meet with you, but for the life of you you just can't figure out why. you two barely knew one another personally, it had been two years since you'd seen or heard of each other again, and now he's secretly inviting you to hagrid's after hours using disappearing ink? as your substitute professor, too…

from 5-8 pm you mainly paced around your room in both lingering disbelief and unbridled excitement. though you had no idea why harry had invited you out in secret, you were anxious just to be in his presence at his request.

you spent forever deciding on your outfit, feeling a bit silly for putting so much effort into this suspicious rendezvous that you were still clueless about.

sneaking out had become somewhat natural to you over the years. you knew all the blind spots of the castle and could hear a prefect coming from a mile away. you were out of your room and walking down to hagrid's completely unnoticed in less than 10 minutes.

on your way down the hill, your mind is racing with possibilities of what this meeting could entail.

arriving at hagrid's hut, you admire the warm glow of the windows and intoxicating smell coming from the smoking chimney – a mix of wood and garlic. hagrid's pumpkins are just beginning to plump up, his yard scattered with overgrown vines.

as you walk up to the door, a wave of anxiety hits you. knocking seems like the most impossible task in the world all of a sudden.

you steady your breathing, let your heart rate slow, and knock before you have the chance to stop yourself.

a few seconds of some rustling can be heard behind the door before it swings open. harry greets you with a warm smile. no longer dressed for class, harry looks quite adorable in a comfy sweater and baggy jeans standing before you in the hut.

"[y/n], you got my message," he says, clearly impressed. you couldn't believe this was real. he really did leave you that note on purpose. just hearing him acknowledge it made your heart race all over again.

"i-i did," you say in shock, searching his expression for an answer to all your questions. why are you here?

harry gestures for you to come in. "well, join me, please," he insists. you politely smile and enter the hut, the smell of food making your mouth water immediately. "smells amazing in here," you comment under your breath.

harry closes the door, looking back at you with a shy smile. "oh, thank you. it's for us, actually." he tells you, nodding his head towards the dining table.

completely set up with a tablecloth, harry has food plated for the two of you on the tiny table, along with tea still steaming on the stove.

"if you don't mind, of course," he checks with you, his voice soft and unsure. you look back at harry, barely able to grasp what's happening before you reply, "of course,"

he suppresses a grin as he gestures to the table once more. "please," he prompts you. you hand him your bag and jacket before taking your seat at the table, admiring the food he prepared for you. you're still lost in thought when harry asks, "tea?" holding the kettle from the stove.

"please, thank you," you reply. he pours you both cups of tea before bringing them to the table with a smile on his face.

as you're eating you notice a record playing in the corner you hadn't heard earlier. it fills the space nicely as you both take your first bites of dinner. "hope you like it, i wasn't sure what to make," he says nervously.

wiping your lips with a napkin, you simply tell him, "it's lovely,"

after another moment or so, harry sits back in his chair. "so…[y/n]..." he sighs. hearing him say your name like that makes your brain fuzzy for just a second before he speaks again. "you're probably, um, wondering why…"

you stifle a laugh at his stalling, getting a hint of confidence as you interrupt him. "wondering why professor potter secretly invited me to have a home cooked dinner with him?"

harry goes still, his eyes searching your expression as a blush grows over his cheeks. he swallows nervously, blinking and shaking his head before attempting to respond. "u-um, yeah, that,"

smirking, enjoying his nerves, you wait for his explanation with your arms crossed and a raised brow. he clears his throat and diverts his eyes from your gaze. he takes a sip of tea before smacking his lips and looking back at you.

"i just, i haven't seen you…" he starts, eyes softening at you. "i-i know we didn't talk much, but…i always cared for you." the last part was hard for harry to get out, a weight lifting off his shoulders in the process.

you were blushing, but more than that you were sweating. this is like something you would dream about as a kid. hell, even just earlier today…

"when i saw you today…in class…" he seemed uncomfortable referencing that. "i just…a lot of memories came back to me," his hands move with him nervously as he speaks.

he sighs and stands up, his body language clearly stressed. you haven't said a word, you simply can't. what could you possibly say?

harry's facing the fireplace, his head in his hands. "look, i just, now that i'm your professor this semester i just think…" he takes a moment to find the words before turning to you. "i had a crush on you. okay? there. god damn it," harry huffs angrily, rolling his head back as he throws his hands down.

"i had a crush on you for like 3 years, it was stupid, and i don't want it to affect my teaching with you. so…i guess i practically set up a fucking date to tell you this, sent hagrid away for the evening for nothing…" he gestures to the table, sighing in defeat.

you're stunned into silence, to say the least. there aren't words to describe what's going on in your head at this moment.

after a moment harry looks back at you, his gaze softening once again. "[y/n]...please understand i wouldn't be telling you any of this unless i thought there was another way i could deal with it. when i saw you today…it was like i was 16 again," a small smile creeps onto his face before he wipes it away.

"and if i didn't tell you now, it's all i would've thought about when i saw you, so…yeah. there." harry says with a huff, avoiding eye contact with you.

before you can even process what's going on, your body reacts for you. you stand up, walking over to harry, getting his attention off the floor. he looks at you almost with fear in his eyes at how close you are. you sigh shakily before speaking.

"harry…u-um, professor potter…" you correct yourself. "please, just, harry…for now at least," harry insisted, his eyes apologetic.

"harry…" you say, suppressing a grin. "you don't have to worry. really…um, it was definitely mutual, to put it lightly…"

harry gives you a surprised look. "really?"

you roll your eyes, taking a step away from him and towards the fire, enjoying the warmth. "harry, you forget who you are sometimes. essentially every girl i knew had a crush on you at one point."

harry's a little flustered at this statement, also taking a step closer to the fire, and towards you. "i-i wouldn't say that, i was definitely not that lucky back in the day," he jokes.

"so those girls that were practically all over you during class today…?" you tease him. "'oh, professor potter, what can i do to get a good grade?'" you mock their voices, giving him puppy dog eyes as you lean towards him before laughing and turning towards the fire. "is that not luck?" you ask with your arms crossed, a smirk hiding your slight jealousy.

harry's silent for a few moments before you look over at him. you see his eyes dark and fixated on you for just a second before he blinks and shakes his head at you, also turning to the fire. "please. they're children. they crush on any slightly older guy they see."

you roll your eyes again at his denial. "some of them were my age, well on their way to being 19. but, whatever you say."

the fire crackles in front of you two, filling the space and creating a warm glow. "besides…none of them are you." harry says. you look over at him, and he's lost staring at the fire. he feels you looking at him and quickly corrects himself. "i mean, nobody was like you, at least to me, back then…" he trails off awkwardly, wincing at his own choice of words.

you adore his nervous antics. he's just the same sweet, timid boy you remember, except he's a bit taller with a 5 o'clock shadow and looks gorgeous in the glow of a fireplace right now.

"i've really mucked this night up, haven't i? i was supposed to tell you about the crush calmly and professionally, with no inappropriate comments, and send you on your way into the night with your first reading in the textbook…" harry sighs, giving you a pathetic look.

"well…" you start. "your first mistake was probably leaving me a secret note, and cooking me a wonderful dinner," you gesture towards the table. harry lets out a pathetic laugh, shaking his head. "yeah, probably."

you don't know why you feel the need to, but you instinctively grab for harry's hand. he gives you a surprised, scared look.

you try to reassure him with a soft smile. "harry, i appreciate you telling me. i hope it can make this semester easier for you."

harry smiles in return, but it's not genuine. he looks like he's holding back from letting you know how he really feels.

regardless, he invited you two to finish up your food, laughing as you both attempted to resume casual conversation without the awkward air.

surprisingly, the two of you naturally begin to talk up a storm, reminiscing on memories and catching up on what's happened since then. harry tells you about his career as an auror and his experiences that lead him to being able to teach defense against the dark arts. when professor weasley's wife had died of sudden illness, the only person he wanted to take his place was harry.

you're hesitant to tell him about your lack of eventful news, practically hiding your face in embarrassment as you admit that your grades have been suffering since the war.

harry put a reassuring hand on your knee, his chair pushed closer to you. you had both long since finished dinner and just talked, enjoying the fire as harry continued to feed it wood every so often.

you looked up at him, melting at how adorable his tired eyes looked through his glasses. "i get it. trust me." he tells you. his voice puts you at ease, and you don't feel quite as embarrassed as before.

"maybe this semester i could help you. if you'd like, of course," harry offers. you smile. "of course."

as you're slowly making your way towards the door to leave, harry watches you search through your bag to find chapstick. as you're putting it on, he continues to watch you. you sneak a glance at him, his face soft and full of admiration.

"you know, if i may say, in the least inappropriate manner possible…" he says with a laugh, causing you to laugh with him. "you have truly only gotten more beautiful after all this time, [y/n]."

looking over at him, you can feel your face form a cheesy grin with blushing cheeks. "well, thank you, that's very kind," you say, putting your chapstick away and taking another step towards the door. "but, really, i should be saying the same about you."

harry waves you away, but you notice the smile planted on his cheeks. "please," he says sarcastically.

he reaches for the door to open it for you, and finds himself rather close to you by accident. you smile up at him, and he nervously steps back.

"u-uh, thank you for coming tonight, really, even if it was a bit weird…" harry says, an embarrassed laugh following. giggling with him, you take a step outside. "it was nice. but, no more invisible ink. just ask me from now on, okay?" you ask, still giggling at him.

harry shakes his head at himself. "will do."

you give him a warm smile before reaching in for a one-arm hug, resting your head on harry's shoulder for just a second before pulling back. "i'll see you tomorrow, professor potter." 

enjoying the shocked and flustered look on his face, you walk away still laughing, making your way up the hill and towards the castle. you heard the door shut behind you quickly after you left, but could feel harry's lingering eyes following you through the window the entire way back.

that night you're laying in bed trying to convince yourself everything that just happened wasn't a dream. if it weren't for your full stomach and muddy shoes sitting by your door you might've convinced yourself it really was all an illusion. rather than dreading the next day of classes, you're actually excited to wake up as it only means you'll see harry sooner.

though you're not sure exactly why. yes you'd had a friendly conversation with him tonight after he admitted his feelings towards you, which still hasn't quite settled in yet…but what happens now? he's still your professor for the next 5 months minimum, and you both know you used to like each other. harry might feel better getting it off his chest, but you were perfectly fine keeping that secret to yourself like you always had. if anything, now it's the only thing you're going to think about every day.

rolling over, you try to fall asleep without thinking about harry too much.

it had been a few weeks since you met with harry that night in hagrid's hut, and things were going…okay, so far.

well, to be completely honest, you had utterly fallen back into your crush on harry harder than you ever had before.

and you tried to stop yourself this time. really, you did. working with harry in class and then stopping by his office at least 3 times a week for his help in other classes was a lot of time to be spending with a professor, and you rather despised just how fast harry made your heart beat or how easily his eyes could distract you.

so you tried your best to convince yourself it was lingering feelings from your past self, even trying to have a crush on other boys in your year to distract your brain. that failed miserably. none of those boys were attractive or interesting on their own, especially in comparison to professor potter…

but you couldn't fool yourself. you still felt the same butterflies seeing harry now like you did in 5th year. when he's talking to you in the quiet of his office, reading your textbook to you, you feel like the only two people in the world. when he fixes your hands to hold the wand properly, or moves your arm for you in the correct pattern to cast a spell, you can't focus for the rest of class. if his eyes linger on you just a bit too long during one of his lectures, a knowing smile growing on his face, you melt in your seat.

there was no denying it. you liked him more now than you ever had before. maybe it's just the sheer amount of time you've spent with him this past month or so, but your feelings for him had never been this strong in the past. there were days where he was quite literally the only thing you thought about, or at least wanted to think about. though you were doing better in your other classes, it was only because of him. you spent barely any outside time putting effort into these classes because, ultimately, you were completely distracted by harry.

and not just the idea of him, but particularly the growing tension you had noticed between you two recently.

you also tried to convince yourself that this was going on in your head. but there were just too many instances of prolonged eye contact, harry sitting a bit too close to you during your tutoring sessions, and lingering hands on your skin that made you question if harry maybe wasn't entirely over his crush either…

not that you tried to make it easy for him. since the semester started, you've been taking some extra time each morning to perfect your hair/makeup, put on your favorite perfumes on days you knew you'd be close to harry, and would even change your outfit completely when going to study with him outside of your school robes to give you a boost of confidence.

not that you needed the boost. lately you could only feel confident in yourself and nothing less. something about learning your life long crush who seemed so unattainable also had feelings for you, and could possibly still, made you feel untouchable. not to mention that any girl you heard talk about him or swoon over him in class just made you laugh to yourself; they had no idea you were with him alone for hours every week goofing off together as he attempted to help you study.

this confidence made its way into other parts of your day outside of harry as well. you were talking more in class, making a few new friends, even going to parties and outings just for the fun of it. you were actually enjoying your time at hogwarts instead of dreading every day. not all because of harry, but it definitely didn't hurt to consider him a friend.

a friend. a professor. an old classmate. a crush. a temporary fixation. your relationship to harry, in your mind, seemed so complicated and sometimes incredibly frustrating. especially when he seemed to flirt with you so subtly. you couldn't stand the, 'is he, isn't he' thoughts. but, at the same time, it just made you more motivated to push the limits to see how he responded.

of course it started with looking good, enjoying his reaction seeing you each day with a small smile and blushing cheeks. then it was making flirtatious jokes and purposefully giving him innocent looks while he rambled about whatever subject to get him flustered and distracted. and, lately, you've stepped it up by wearing shorter and shorter skirts whenever you stop by his office, and have even caught him looking at your legs a number of times when he thinks you're not paying attention.

all this to say, there was definitely tension.

you had to admit you felt a bit guilty, you knew harry valued his position as a substitute professor and was enjoying his time there, and you would feel awful if anything ever happened to cost him this position. he told you about his crush specifically to alleviate it, and your only goal this semester has been to do the opposite.

but, at the same time, you wouldn't act this way if harry didn't also create tension between you two. he also made overtly flirty jokes and comments, even seeming a tad bit jealous whenever you mentioned another boy during your time together. and you weren't stupid, you could tell when he wore the cologne you complimented one time when you were around or had even changed from his school clothes before you came to see him. there was definitely something unspoken going on between the two of you, but you were both afraid of crossing that line and making things complicated. besides, if anything, you both seemed to enjoy this game you were playing of teasing each other in private and then acting normally during class as student and teacher.

honestly, you found it to be insanely erotic, and were more turned on in class than any other time you were with harry due to the secretive nature of everything. his longing gaze as you walk in, his nervous glances towards specifically you, the shift in his voice from talking to one student to talking to you, it was all so subtle yet in plain view. something about wanting what you can't have only made you want it more.

on this particular day, you had been with harry for over two hours studying for an exam for a class you had been struggling with all semester, even with harry's help. you were frustrated, laying your head in your arms with your textbook in front of you, groaning as harry chuckled at you. 

"c'mon, [y/n], you've got this. i mean, you did just fine on this last practice test, better than you have all semester really," harry comments, pulling the paper out of your folder. you lift your head up, giving him a mean look. "i got a 75. barely." you deadpan.

"yes, and that's better than what you have been getting." harry stated, trying to hide a smirk. you throw a crumpled up paper at him. "stop, that's not funny," you whine, also trying to hide your laugh.

chuckling, harry stands up and walks towards the bookshelf in his office. "look, i'm just trying to be encouraging here," he says over his shoulder as he scans the rows of books.

you try to get back to your work, but you're just so utterly confused and upset that you close the book with a huff and lean back in your seat with an exasperated expression. harry hears this and turns to you, giving you a sympathetic smile.

he walks back over, picking up the book in front of you and setting it in your bag. "here, we can be done for today. it's not good to push yourself past your limit."

you sigh as you push back the urge to tear up. "sometimes i just feel so stupid," you say in a soft, despondent voice, staring off into the window across from harry's desk.

harry's watching you intently, and nearly drops to his knees as he crouches beside your chair and catches your eyes in his. "hey, you're not stupid. quite the opposite, actually." he says with a genuine voice. you look away, still not believing him.

"really, [y/n], and i'm not saying this as your professor. back in school i was constantly listening to hermione go on and on about your intelligence and class rank. she was incredibly impressed and slightly envious that someone 2 years below her was actually providing some competition at this school." harry says with a laugh.

you can't help but blush like crazy at this confession. hermione had been your academic inspiration for all of your time at hogwarts, and even still now despite your declining lack of effort. you'd had quite a few conversations with her in the past about classes and certain books or authors you both enjoyed, but had no idea she thought that highly of you.

mulling over this information in your head, harry continued to grab your attention with a soft smile and loving eyes. "you're not stupid. different things are harder for different people. you'll get there, and i'll help you. okay?" he asks.

you smile back at him. "okay."

slowly packing up to leave, you and harry both take your time to gather your supplies as you chat about your respective plans for the weekend. you casually mention a party you were thinking of going to. harry perks up at this. "a party?" he asks, a twinge of concern laced in his voice.

you give him a look. "yeah, ever heard of it?" you ask sarcastically, laughing to yourself. "i guess it's one of the slytherin boys' birthdays, or something like that," you wave off, throwing your bag over your shoulder. "apparently it's going to be massive,"

harry continues looking at you with a hint of concern. "well, just…be safe, yeah?" harry comments, his voice uneasy. you laugh at him again, looking at him incredulously. "yes, professor potter, i'll be careful," you tease him. you know harry gets a little squirmy when you call him that outside of class, and it never fails to make you feel powerful.

"besides, i heard the theme is dress to impress, so you already know i'm gonna look so good," you joke, flipping your hair dramatically. harry's tenseness breaks, letting out a chuckle. "well, still. just…be safe." is all he manages to say as you walk with him to the door.

saying your goodbyes as you separate down the hall, you can still feel harry's eyes on you until you disappear around the corner.

the night of the party, you were still unsure if you wanted to go. when a couple girls from class saw you and asked if you were going, they ended up convincing you to come with them. so, you got changed into a flashy dress that fit you well, fixed up your hair and makeup a bit, and met them in the courtyard to walk to the slytherin common room together. they obsessively commented on your outfit, telling you just how good you looked and letting you know you'd have no problem finding a guy to snog tonight.

but, you don't want any guy tonight. if anything, you were walking slowly through the hallways hoping by some chance that harry would cross your path and see just how good you looked. but you knew you weren't that lucky.

upon arriving at the party, drinks are immediately pushed into your and your friends' hands. they were right about the party being massive, as every square foot of the slytherin common room was packed with slightly tipsy students of all ages dancing to the loud music. you had barely finished your first drink before your friends dragged you over to do shots with them, wincing at the burn it left in your throat afterwards.

as the night goes on, you're eventually separated from all the girls you came with. not on purpose, some of them were playing drinking games, some were dancing, and one had even left the party with a guy she was completely into. no hard feelings, everyone was just doing their own thing. you had a few shouting-over-the-music conversations with a couple classmates and drank another cup of the mysterious alcoholic punch being served before deciding to head back to your room. you informed one of your friends, who asked if you wanted her to come with you, but you insisted she stay.

entering the hallway is extremely sobering. the loud music and colorful lights made it easy to ignore the growing drunken sensation, but you were now nervously navigating the halls of hogwarts, slightly intoxicated, attempting to warm yourself up with your hands over your arms. you hadn't even thought to bring a jacket, of course, so you were shivering as you made your way back to your room.

not long after leaving the party, you turn the corner and come face to face with another person. a boy a year under you, though you couldn't remember his name or anything else about him. you're a bit startled, not expecting to see anyone else, but politely apologize and attempt to walk around him.

"hey. you were at the party, right?" he asks, stepping in front of you to prevent you from leaving. you're slightly annoyed by him already, but your intoxicated state makes you bite your tongue. "yeah, just on my way back to my room," you try to end the conversation there, taking another step to get around him.

but he gets in your way again, stepping even closer to you this time. "what's the rush? y'know you had every guy talkin' in there tonight? sure would be nice to take home the prize," he slurs into your face, your nose scrunching at his alcoholic breath. god, this kid's way more wasted than you.

"excuse me?" you scoff, turning your face away from him. he tries to put his hand on your waist but you slap it away as hard as you can, causing him to wince and give you an angry look. "i suggest you leave me the fuck alone," you announce firmly, stancing your feet apart as you get ready to defend yourself further.

just as this guy's about to try again, this time his hands going for your neck, a voice from down the hall echoes loudly, scaring you both. "hey!"

you both turn, and it's harry.

"i would further suggest you leave her alone, mr. williams," he announces as he swiftly walks towards you. the kid laughs him off. "mind your business, huh, potter? this doesn't involve you," he continues to slur, looking like he wants to fight as harry walks up to him, chest to chest.

"it does now. leave and you'll be lucky i don't have you expelled or rather arrested for sexually assaulting a fellow student on campus grounds after hours, while intoxicated might i add," harry spits at him, his eyes full of disgust and rage.

the kid falters a bit, but the alcohol still has him acting cocky, getting in harry's face. "yeah? or what," he asks daringly.

you get between them and put your wand, hidden in your dress, against the kid's throat, making him stiff with wide eyes. "touch him and i will gladly get expelled for hurting you in ways you couldn't even conceive of in your fucking nightmares. do you understand? get the fuck out of here!" you nearly shout at the kid, causing him to turn and run.

you sigh a breath of relief, but quickly begin to feel the anxiety return as you bring your wand down and look at harry.

you can feel your body shaking with anger and fear, and also shivering from how cold you hadn't realized you'd gotten. your cheeks were flushed, your breathing uneven, and nearly on the verge of tears. harry's eyes were still angry, but he gave you a sympathetic look. he promptly took off his jacket and wrapped it around your shivering frame, enveloping you in a hug in the process. it's hard not to let the tears flow just a bit as you rest your head in his chest. you felt so vulnerable with him in that moment.

"here, let's get you back to your room, yeah?" harry says softly, turning your shoulders and guiding you down the hall. you realize you had sobered up during the ordeal, your eyes focusing and walking straightening out as you follow the corridors. once harry begins guiding you down your hallway, you slow to look up at him with a curious expression.

"how do you know where my room is?"

harry's a bit stunned by your question, searching for an answer before you began to think more. "and, wait," you stop walking and turn to him. "how did you even find me?" you ask breathlessly. harry continues to look guilty as he searches for an answer. smirking, you pull his jacket on you closer.

"professor potter, if i didn't know better, i'd say you were watching me tonight," you tease him in a flirty voice. "surely that's not the case, is it?"

harry looks around you two nervously, clearly starting to feel anxious for his actions. all you could do was smirk. you knew he still liked you.

harry sighs, avoiding your eye contact with a completely red face. "look, i just had a bad feeling about that party, okay?" he says simply. you continue to stare at him with a knowing look. "i couldn't sleep tonight knowing something could've happened to you. something like that fucking kid…" harry gets worked up just thinking about it again before stopping himself and calming down. "i'm sorry. it was wrong of me, and completely inappropriate."

your smirk drops into a soft smile. you can't help but feel your stomach erupt into butterflies hearing him admit he was watching you tonight specifically to make sure you were safe.

you softly put your hand to his cheek, causing him to look at you. he looks apologetic, concerned, and sad, his eyes searching yours as he slightly leans into your touch.

"thank you, harry." you say just above a whisper, your voice genuine and loving.

he sighs again, a bit relieved, a bit sad. his hand goes for yours, holding it for just a moment before he gives it back to you, letting go as he looks towards your door.

"well," he starts off, his voice cracking. "i'll leave you here for the night,"

smiling, you nod and take a step towards your door. you slip his jacket off of you and hand it back to him with a grateful, warm smile. he returns the smile as you're opening your door and waving goodbye at him.

as you're getting ready for bed, you replay the events of tonight over and over. you imagine harry watching you leave your room without you having any clue, meeting up with your friends, leaving the party in a daze, attempting to escape that guy before harry decided he had to step in and protect you.

you felt a bit silly for ever thinking harry's crush on you had stopped. even his subtle clues weren't very subtle thinking back now. maybe back in year 5 you assumed you were crazy for thinking he was looking at you funny, but now, nearing 3 years later, and learning he's liked you the whole time, you couldn't deny his longing gaze.

laying in bed, you decided you had to properly thank harry in some way for tonight, and you knew exactly how.

the next day, you paid a special visit to diagon alley with a friend to buy something special for harry. when she asked why you would ever possibly buy something like that for yourself, you make up some story about needing it for a class. she doesn't believe you, but goes along with it anyway and continues to have fun with you on your sunday out shopping.

you head towards his office in the afternoon when he usually spends his time grading assignments and working on the following week's lesson plan. you practically had his schedule memorized after coming to study with him so often.

softly knocking on the door, harry lets out a, "come in,"

you enter the office and he smiles at you immediately before it falters, his eyes then landing on the wrapped box in your hands. "surprise," you say with a shy voice.

he lets out a huff, looking back at you with a disbelieving expression. "[y/n]..." he carries off.

"it's just a little something," you say as you walk towards his desk, setting it down carefully in front of him. "a thank you, for last night," you tell him.

his eyes move back and forth from the box to your eyes, not knowing what to say. a few moments pass before he stands. "[y/n], i can't accept this…" he sighs. "what i did last night, i mean…it shouldn't have happened that way," he says curtly.

you tilt your head to catch his gaze, giving him a warm smile. "you did nothing wrong," you reassure him. you gesture to the gift. "please," you insist.

harry's shoulders relax, giving you an embarrassed smile as he slides the box closer to him, admiring the wrapping. "this is gorgeous, did you do this?" he asks, pointing at the sparkly ribbon and personalized name card. you proudly smile and nod your head.

harry admires it for another moment before carefully untying the ribbon and lifting the lid off the box. he gasps at what he sees.

a signed, hardcover, gold leaf detailed first edition defense against the dark arts textbook from his favorite auror. he had talked to you about seeing it at the bookshop but not wanting to spend the money or not having the place to display it or whatever his excuse was. you had taken note of this comment and when you saw it wasn't as expensive as harry had made it seem you knew it was perfect.

"[y/n]...you didn't…" he utters, practically falling back in his chair as he continues to stare at the cover. you giggle fondly at his reaction. "go ahead, open it up," you tell him excitedly. he can hardly move, but he eventually takes the book out of the box and admires it in his hands. he flips the cover open, sees the signature, and smiles. then, he looks at the inside of the cover and his expression drops.

"i had it personalized, if that's okay with you," you ask anxiously. on the inside of the leather bound cover you had a pressing engraved that said 'harry james potter'.

harry's in shock, his fingers running across the pressing softly. "[y/n], this is…" he trails off, continuing to admire the book as he flips through it, landing back on the inside cover, admiring his name once more.

"thank you." harry says, looking at you with so much love in his eyes it makes your heart burst. it was worth every penny seeing him in awe in front of you like this.

"well, thank you," you respond, smiling, holding your arms behind your back.

harry abruptly stands up, stepping around his desk and pulling you in for a desperate hug. you're a bit surprised, your arms wrapping around his waist as he continues to pull you closer and closer.

after a minute or so of the most comforting hug you've experienced outside of last night in that hallway, harry separates from you only slightly to look down at you. your faces are close enough to feel the breath of the other person.

you just want to tell him, 'fuck it, who cares, nobody's here, just kiss me, please, release this tension', but before you can even consider it, harry breaks the silence.

"i still love you," he says so softly, his face wincing as the words fall from his lips. your breath hitches. love?

"fuck," harry mutters, almost stepping away from you until you pull him closer to you, putting your lips close enough to his they're nearly touching. "please. kiss me. just kiss me. please." you practically beg, your hand finding its way to harry's neck.

"[y/n], we can't, i can't–" "just once, please, maybe it'll stop if we just, please…" you interrupt him, hoping he understands what you're implying, your noses rubbing together.

harry takes a few moments before practically whimpering as he connects your lips to his, wrapping you in his arms tightly. you immediately melt into him, letting the kiss consume you as your hands pull harry closer to you.

it only takes a few seconds before harry has you up on his desk, his hands gripping your ass under your skirt. the cold of the wood on your exposed skin makes you gasp, and harry's tongue quickly slips past your lips.

it's everything you imagined, and the fact that this is happening in his office is just making you even more turned on. you had played this scenario in your head so many times, and it hardly felt real once it was actually happening. and on the desk you spent so many hours at, pining over him and fantasizing him taking you like he is right now.

after a few minutes of making out and needy groping through your clothes, harry pulls away breathlessly. opening your eyes you see he's completely flushed, his hair slightly messy as he nervously takes his hands off you.

you awkwardly clear your throat, your hands falling to your sides and resting back on the desk. harry takes a step away, straightening his tie and fixing his hair. you hop off his desk and adjust your skirt.

the silence between you is awkward, but there's just nothing to say. the kiss only left you wanting more, of course, it was pointless to ever hope it would quell your feelings in some way.

"well," harry begins, his voice shaky and quiet. "that didn't work."

you let out a nervous laugh, coughing to cover it up. "yeah…sorry." you mumble.

harry sighs. "no, i'm sorry. i'm technically your superior, i shouldn't be doing this to you. leading you on, flirting with you, for fuck's sake, following you around after hours…"

you shake your head. "look, i'm not kissing professor potter, okay? i like you, harry. i've liked you since i was 13. i don't want to ruin your position here either, and i'll stop if that's what you truly want…" you choke up just a bit before swallowing it back. "but, just, please, stop blaming yourself. i want this, too."

the silence returns, harry clearly thinking over what you said as his eyes stare off beside you. you're anxiously shifting your weight, watching his face get lost in his own thoughts.

"i can't risk this job," harry says finally. "i don't give a shit about the money, pay me everything in the world i would still want you…" he mumbles. you feel your stomach drop at this sentiment. you want him so, so badly. but… 

"but…" harry says.

you smile at him sadly, knowing what's coming. "i can't let down bill, or mcgonagall, or any professors or students here who may actually still like me," he says with a dry laugh. "if we ever got caught, and i just know we would, and what would happen to you…i just–" "i know, harry," you interrupt him, taking a small step towards him.

he smiles at you sadly as well. "and i agree. it's not worth it. well, you're worth it, of course…" you say shyly, diverting your gaze before continuing. "but, it's too risky. you deserve to finish out this semester without that hanging over your head, y'know?"

harry stares at you lovingly, no attempt to hide his adoration for you in this moment. "you're truly incredible. you know that?" harry comments softly.

you respond by blushing and crossing your arms. he hums softly, his smile taking over his cheeks. "thank you, really, for everything, if things were any different, i wish…" harry stumbles. you smile at him again. "i know."

harry returns to his gift, admiring the book in his hands over and over before putting it on the bookshelf next to his desk. he admires it there for a while as well before thanking you again.

as you're getting ready to leave, harry stops you for a moment. "if you don't mind, i'd still love to help you in your other classes. and, just, remain friendly in general still, if possible…"

you melt again at his soft demeanor. harry's such a sweetheart it's heartbreaking. all you want is to kiss him again. it's all you've wanted since he stopped.

"of course."

it's the end of the semester, and you have mixed feelings about it. on one hand you're dying for a break from classes. you've done the best you have in years this semester, and it's exhausted you. but you're incredibly grateful, for a lot of things. your new friends, your rediscovered love for hogwarts and magic in general, your overall improved attitude and mentality.

with special thanks to a certain substitute professor…

harry. this semester was definitely a rollercoaster for you when it came to harry. though, towards the end, things fell into place a bit more as you both accepted and embraced your odd, yet effective routine. professional student-professor relationship in public; smitten, teasingly love-sick old classmates in the comfort of his office walls. nothing further than lingering hands, loving stares, and the occasional compliment towing the line of what's inappropriate and what isn't.

though the dynamic wasn't ideal, you grew to love it for what it was. a simple, longing love that wasn't exactly unspoken anymore, but sure felt like it each passing day as you both pretended that kiss never happened.

that kiss. you swear you think about it every day. you long for harry to grab you like that again, to slip his tongue past your lips again…sometimes, late at night, it's all you can think about. sometimes just the thought of it makes you need to touch yourself, remembering how desperate he was for you, the feeling of his lips on yours, sitting on his desk in his office, just the image of it from outside of your own perspective could bring you to your orgasm alone in your room.

to say you were anxiously counting down the days until classes were over and harry technically wasn't employed with hogwarts anymore was an understatement. though you hadn't spoken about it with him, you felt it was okay to maybe consider that he would want to continue things further with you once his substitution was over. you kept your guard up as you knew he could still be uncomfortable with it while you were a student in general. but a large portion of you was practically praying that wasn't the case. you physically couldn't resist him much longer.

you were staying on campus for christmas this year, mostly just to savor your last holiday here, but also to continue seeing harry if possible.

it was the last day of classes, and you learned you passed all your exams with flying colors. you showed up to dark arts class early to inform harry excitedly, and he congratulated you with the same level of excitement.

"i knew you could do it! i told you you were smart." he beams. "i am so, so proud of you, [y/n]."

you want to hug him so badly, he's helped you so much this semester, you wouldn't have cared enough to try and get these kinds of grades without his guidance. but it's too public, and the risk is too high, so you just settle on an awkward high five and laugh emptily.

as other students walk in, you both pretend the moment never happened, and you sit in your seat without looking up from the floor.

the class is simple and rather uneventful as it's mostly everyone's last class of the semester. harry actually hands out christmas cookies hagrid made for everyone, and they're mediocre in taste, but the designs are so adorable you can't resist finishing it.

harry gives you all a speech thanking the class for trusting him to teach this semester, and for being respectful of him and professor weasley's lessons. he talks about how he's always thought about being a professor, but actually ended up despising the paperwork, and just missed his old job, which caused the class to chuckle with him.

he dismissed everyone with a happy christmas, specifically towards you, of course.

your heart aches a little as you leave the classroom and head to your room. you're going to miss harry as a professor, even if it caused complications in other aspects, it was inspiring to see him be so intelligent, helpful, and supportive in class. of course you were biased, you always found him to be amazing, but something about watching him teach a young wizard how to do a spell correctly for the first time just made you admire him so deeply.

you decided to rest for the night, knowing harry would be here for at least another day to collect all his items and clean the classroom up for professor weasley. you could talk to him then, what exactly about you weren't sure just yet, but you knew you had to tie up these loose ends before they drove you mad.

the next afternoon, you're practically one of the only students roaming the halls. most everyone leaves the first day of break to go home, and by christmas there's only a handful of students left.

arriving at harry's office door, you admire it one last time. your little sanctuary away from the world.

you knock, but to your dismay, there's no answer.

you knock again, a bit louder, but still, nothing. you decide to peak in, and notice how barren the desk looks from afar.

fuck. there's no way harry's left without speaking to you first.

you quickly walk to the dark arts classroom just down the hall, hoping he's cleaning and organizing it, but find it empty and dark. your heart sinks. he's gone.

you slowly walk back to your room, deciding you'll grab your coat and visit hagrid to see if harry's with him there. you try not to let your disappointment overcome you, there's still a chance you could talk to him…

entering your room, you immediately head for your coat rack by the window. you start to slip it on when you hear your door close, knowing you left it open on purpose to quickly leave.

you turn around, and it's harry.

you gasp, immediately dropping the coat and running to him, jumping into a hug. he laughs at your reaction, but embraces you nonetheless.

"hi, love," he says softly, resting his head on top of yours. you could hardly contain yourself at the pet name. it communicated so much to you with so little effort.

you look up at him, barely able to believe what's happening. harry looks at you knowingly. this unspoken tension. it was going to be the death of you.

as harry begins leaning in, you crash your lips together with his, immediately engulfing him into a heated, wanting, needing kiss.

harry's more than happy to give in to you. it's clear he's thought about this just as much as you have. he finished all his professor duties as soon as he could so he could officially, finally, be yours.

you guide harry to your bed, pushing him onto it as he gives you an impressed look, clearly intrigued by your repressed desperation.

you crawl onto his lap, immediately pulling him back into the kiss. harry's hands are all over you, finally, after fantasizing about it every night in this very same bed for months.

the kiss is desperate, full of moaning and getting sloppier by the minute. harry's squeezing and slapping your ass so hard you whimper in his arms, your hands gripping his button up tightly.

"fuck, [y/n], need you so bad, please," harry moans into your kiss, his hands sliding up your back. you reach to take your shirt off, left in just a bra and tiny skirt, as you start untying his tie and unbuttoning his shirt.

harry's staring at you with hunger in his eyes. "do you even understand how badly i've wanted you? you and these fucking skirts, you must think i'm stupid." he growls, pulling at the hem of your skirt. you blush and stifle a giggle, overwhelmed with how insanely hot you found this to be.

"think that's funny? you think it was funny when i had to stand in class all day and not stare at your perfect legs through your robe? anytime i gave a lecture and just looking at you turned you into a needy slut," harry grabs your hair, turning your attention to him as he unbuttons the rest of his shirt with his other hand. "was that fun for you, hm? did you enjoy teasing me all semester?"

you can't say anything. all you can do is nod. you were so turned on you could hardly think straight.

"i bet it was," he says, examining your desperate expression, his words dripping with desire.

he pulls you in for another kiss, and you help him take off his shirt. his skin was warm, soft, and his shoulders were broad. you moved your lips to his neck, leaving an obvious bite just below his collar to finally mark what was yours.

harry groans, his hands reaching behind your back to swiftly undo your bra. he helps pull it off of you, marveling at your chest. "beautiful," he tells you before attaching his lips to your skin. you hold his head against you, savoring the feeling and sight of harry leaving hickeys along the soft skin of your boobs.

his hand cups one softly as his tongue circles your nipple, watching you through his glasses as you melt into his hands. "harry…" you moan, your hand running through his soft hair.

he continues, starting to suck on your nipple softly with closed eyes, his other hand pulling up your skirt to feel your wetness through your panties.

you immediately whimper and lean into harry's touch, desperate for this for so long. "f-fuck," you stutter breathlessly.

harry smiles, taking his lips off of you to look up at your blushing face. "so wet already," he smirks.

you cover his face with your hands, embarrassed, giggling, continuing to further lean into his hand for pleasure.

he laughs and removes your hands, his eyes full of lust just looking at you in his lap.

"i need you, now," he insists, pushing you further onto his growing erection through his slacks. you let out a breathy moan feeling just how hard he is already. he's just as desperate as you've been for him.

"is that okay?" he asks carefully, watching for your reaction. you laugh a bit. "please. i've waited long enough." you joke.

you help harry take his pants and boxers off, as well as your skirt and panties, leaving you both naked in your room.

he sat back down on the bed, and invited you into his lap again. "just like this is perfect," he says, guiding your hips and admiring your body as you sit with his cock between you two, your eyes barely able to look away from it.

harry pulls you in for a kiss, his hands traveling over your body and stopping at your pussy again, his hand feeling just how wet you are. he moans into your kiss along with you and begins to slip his fingers inside of you, slowly, letting you react to him.

harry pushes further and further into you until you're practically riding his hand, your kiss barely kept together with you bouncing, desperate for more. "please," you insist, your hand gently grasping for his precum soaked cock.

harry smiles, gently pulling his fingers away before letting you guide yourself onto him. slowly at first, you enjoy the feeling of harry's cock stretching you open, whimpering as he watches you intently, his hands supporting your hips. eventually you feel yourself take him completely, your hips flush with his as you start to slowly grind your hips up and down.

harry's a mess, barely able to hold himself together just watching you adjust to his cock. your face twisting in pleasure, your soft whimpers, the tight feeling of your pussy squeezing around him, it was almost too much already.

"fuck, baby," harry's moaning, his hands gripping your hips for sanity. you can't help but giggle, you just love seeing him like this for you after dreaming about it for so long. he's so lost in pleasure already, his jaw slack and eyes dropping.

"i-i'm already, fuck [y/n], you're just so," harry can barely get the words out. hearing him moan your name so filthily motivated you to move your hips quicker, letting your tits bounce in his face as you continued to pick up speed.

"fuck, fuck, fuck," harry's panicking, you can tell he's already trying to hold back his orgasm. you find it extremely hot just how quickly you can bring him to this point. so hot it brings you closer to your orgasm with him, putting your hands on his face to look up at you.

"you feel so fucking good, harry," you tell him, your head rolling back in pleasure. he's in awe of you, his eyes memorizing every single inch of you as you continue to ride him.

"please, please, can you, um…" he takes a second between his words to moan. "please, can you call me professor potter…" he asks, clearly embarrassed by the request.

you rub his blushing cheeks between your hands, his question only making you more turned on. you loved knowing he was just as into the teacher/student dynamic as you had been.

"your cock feels so…so fucking good inside of me, professor potter," you moan, resting your forehead against harry's as you slow your pace, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of him.

harry's eyes roll back, sinful moans escaping his lips as his head falls forward, watching you ride him slowly as he begins slightly thrusting up into you. he looks back up at your eyes, exasperated. "i'm gonna cum if you don't stop," he quietly warns you, clearly feeling a bit guilty at his eagerness.

you smile. "please, please cum for me professor. i've been such a good girl for you this semester, haven't i?" you tease him. 

harry groans pathetically. "so, so good," his eyes are closed, his face twisting with each thrust. "then cum for me, please, give it to me," you beg him, your hands gripping his shoulders as you feel your stomach tensing from your own orgasm.

harry's eyes pop open, his gaze on you softening as his hands find your waist, gripping onto you desperately. "[y/n]..." he moans your name again, and you can feel yourself tipping over the edge. your pace becomes a bit slower as your legs start shaking.

harry moans as he starts to spill inside of you, the warm sensation fueling your orgasm as you both hold onto each other tightly, riding out your highs together.

after a few moments of slow grinding and weak kissing, you carefully stand up from your position on harry's lap. you guide him to your bathroom, where you help each other clean up, with a few more inevitable kisses and longing hugs along the way.

you get dressed into different clothes, and offer harry some as well. he declines, instead putting his clothes back on as he tells you he has to bring all his supplies back to his house.

you help him button his shirt back up and tie his tie before pushing yourself to ask the dreaded question you didn't want to know the answer to.

"so," you say softly. "what now?"

harry looks down at you lovingly, but he isn't quite smiling. "well, i'm no longer employed here," he states. you nod your head slowly, allowing him to continue.

"so, while it's not technically wrong, i'd still like to try and take this off campus, if possible," harry chuckles.

you give him a surprised look. "you want to see me again?" you ask quietly. harry can't help but laugh at you, kissing your forehead as he holds your cheek.

"you have no idea," is all he says before he leans in for another kiss, holding you close, knowing you're finally his.

[kozachenko]

And now we are finally getting to the most recent stuff I've worked on, starting off with my 2025 Marisa redraw! This time I'll actually have some more stuff to say since I can remember my thought process while drawing this yipeeee- (click image for better quality)

Artist's Notes;

So ever since doing these redraws, I've always kinda mourned the loss of the second redraw's dramatic lighting, so I decided to finally bring it back for this one! This one is kind of the melding of a bunch of my favourite aspects of the precious redraws, plus some of the newer stuff I've learned ever sine making them. I also tried out a new style of rendering hair for this piece and I'm really happy with how it looks! Also if you guys are wondering, yes that it s the same lantern from the previous Marisa drawing I did, I copy and pasted it because I was lazy and I just needed it to look consistent, work smarter not harder folks.

So I've been returning to my old favourite brush, the Clip Studio Paint Default Oil Paint brush for this one, and I did a bunch of the rendering for this piece with minimal blending. For the clothing, I wanted to incorperate a technique I did a few years ago, where I added some subsurface scattering to make the lighting feel more dynamic, and I love the effect it gave the white parts of the clothes. For the hair rendering, I did one base layer of shadows on top of my base colour for the hair, then a sort of mid-tone underneath it to add some variety in colour, and then did my highlights underneath all of that. I focused less on rendering every single strand of hair and moreso focused on getting the general shapes down, since I got inspired by some art I saw on Pinterest with a similar rendering style.

Once I finished with the base rendering, I used a multiply layer to create some more prominent shadows and also to give the lighting more direction. I did this with another piece as well and I think it gives me some pretty good results. It helps make the shadows a lot clearer and also gives me some better lighting while also allowing me to do some rendering to flesh it out even further, it's the best of both worlds and I have a lot of fun doing it. Also, what helped me a lot in the compositional stage was making a shitty little stick figure version of the character in the pose that I wanted and then painting in the base pose like a mannequin. I find that just painting in the figure immediately instead of forcing myself to stick to a rigid sketch has helped me out a lot, and here's an example of how the process went below. Later on in the drawing I did flip my canvas and after fixing it, realized that I liked it better flipped so that's why the orientation is slightly different. It also helps to just to some quick linework distinguishing the body parts to it's easier for me to draw the clothes. I do often keep major features of the silhouette in tact during this phase though so I don't forget to include them.

The background was actually pretty fun since it's just a nice outdoors scene. I didn't want there to be too much detail since I am all for creating the illusion of detail than rendering everything in immaculate detail, though I do think I could do just a little bit better, but hey that's why I've mainly been drawing backgrounds nowadays lol.

Overall, I'm really proud of this piece and I had a lot of fun making it. I want to continue experimenting with backgrounds and how to incorporate characters into them, so after my hibernation period you guys can expect to see some more of that.

[marinsawakening]

Also while I'm on the topic, watching the LU fandom is fascinating to me as someone who's also been in the DC Comics fandom. Specifically, comparing it to the fanon Batfam fandom is fascinating.

In case you haven't sold your soul to mediocre superhero comics, Batman comics have a large cast of hero characters beside the big man himself, who are not merely side characters but main characters in their own right. This group of characters is casually called the 'batfamily' or 'batfam' for short. It is by far the largest fandom within the DC Comics fandom as a whole, and a very, very large portion of it (probably even the majority) does not actually read Batman comics. They are not basing their fandom off the movies or cartoons either, this is a fandom for the Batman comics. That they have not and categorically refuse to read.

These fanon batfam fans instead base their fics, art, and general characterizations off of a long game of canon telephone, where they get seven-hand information from the fandom itself. Fanon batfam is not so much a fandom for the actual batfam as it is a fandom for common fandon tropes that they can project onto the batfam. As such, it focuses mostly on the white or whitewashed guys in the batfam (Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Damian Wayne) and largely ignores the non-white/whitewashed and/or woman members of the batfam (Barbara Gordon, Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain, Duke Thomas). Its characterizations and canon state are based on headcanon and a long game of telephone, often making the characters virtually unrecognizable. It focuses on a very nuclear family-type 'found family' or m/m slash, with elaborate headcanoned dyanmics that have basically nothing to do with actual canon. While the wider batfam fandom is certainly racist and sexist, these problems are more blatant and obvious in the fanon side. For example, there is a big problem with women of colour (such as Talia al Ghul, who is Arab) being demonized as abusive rapists, with no thought given to the context in which they were written or their own complexity/interiority, all in service of white man angst.

And then we have the Linked Universe fandom. A subfandom of the wider LOZ fandom based on a fancomic. This fancomic features the various canon Links with distinct designs and personalities, such that they are effectively the author's OCs. Many LU fans have played few to no Zelda games, and base their understanding of canon off of seven-hand information from the fandom. The LU fandom is more based on this telephone game of headcanons and elaboration on the LU comic that much LU fancontent is virtually unrecognizable as such. It focuses on a very nuclear family-type 'found family', with elaborate headcanoned dynamics that have basically nothing to do with actual canon. While the wider LOZ fandom is certainly racist and sexist, these problems are more blatant and obvious in the LU fandom. For example, Cia, a woman with brown skin, is universally demonized as an abusive rapist, with no thought given to the context in which she was written or to her own complexity/interiority, all in the service of white man angst.

See what I'm getting at?

There are definitely differences. A variety of them that I really cannot let myself get into because then I'd add like six more paragraphs to this post, so source: trust me bro. But the similarities are overwhelming, and they are both examples of what happens when people start seeing fandom as 'content'. As media in and of itself, rather than transformative works. There is nothing inherently morally wrong with this, but it does tend to lead to deeply shallow characterization and even more 'self-indulgent' behaviour than is already standard in fandom, which usually comes pared with blatant racism and sexism. Because if there's anything a fandom likes, it's a white guy, and if they get the chance to focus on those to the exclusion of everything else, they will take it.

Hope everyone enjoyed this way-too-long post about niche fandom dynamics. Everyone enjoys examining fandom dynamics as much as I do, right? Right?

[pokemonblack3white3]

Just wanted to say looking back on your exchampionshipping / dragoncheershipping art/dynamic I’m like.. so in love?

I always love the rivals/enemies to lovers dynamic and the teasing bickering between them caught my eye, but with the large amount of the fanbase screaming at anyone who shipped them (even if you followed your way and aged them) and calling them creeps I just shied away from it

If you’ve got any extra yapping about how you view their platonic romance / QPR I’d love to hear it cause I might incorporate it slightly into my Unfamilar Surroundings AU (the AU takes place like 6 years later in my head so far, so pretty much everyone’s an adult besides Bonnie and idk the ages of Hugh’s sis, Tate or Lisa)

AAA TY!!!!! yeah honestly I've said before I don't usually veer romantically for them and that's both because my ideal kieran/drayton dynamic is something deeply platonic and the age gap is a little too much for me in context of strictly where they're at in canon, but I'm literally so uninterested in fandom discourse. Especially of the shipping variety.

For me, a lot of my investment in these two's relationship comes from my burning desire for drayton to have nice things, Kieran to have interesting things, and how much their canon dynamic really intrigues me and wanting to expand on that. The Kieran and Drayton friendship is SUPER slowburn to me even when they start to get along it takes them a while to actually legitmately trust each other. It takes a lot of hard work and a lot more emotional vulnerability and honesty than either of these two are accustomed to giving, but they get there! Part of the reason they ended up so close is because they learned how to communicate in a healthy and effective way through their relationship with each other.

I think they both date other people. I don't think this ever once diminishes the commitment Kieran and Drayton have for each other. Of course, knowing these two, it probably complicates it on occasion, but they're both determined not to sabotage themselves anymore along with one of the closest relationships they both have. Drayton has an incredibly nice and uncomplicated relationship with Kieran's grandparents. Kieran has a celebrity-crush on Drayton's sister. I have NO idea how Kieran and drayden would get along I'll have to ponder that some more. Kieran and drayton have a rocky history and they've hurt each other in the past, but they're learned how to move past that and build something meaningful together.

Like man I just think it would be so cool if they were friends. And guys we have GOT to start popularizing more QPR headcanons and readings of relationships. This is all bit brief only because I've already talked at LENGTHS about these two but they're so important to me.

[jyotishacharyadevraj7]

Gemini Zodiac Sign: Decoding the Twins' Personality, Career, and Love Life

Gemini Zodiac Sign: Decoding the Twins' Personality, Career, and Love Life

Geminis are often seen as the most versatile and intriguing sign in the zodiac. These Twins have a reputation for being social butterflies and intellectuals, capturing the curiosity of many. Governed by the air element, ruled by the planet Mercury, and classified as mutable, Geminis thrive on change and variety. This article will explore the complex essence of Geminis by looking at their personality traits, career paths, and romantic relationships.

Gemini Personality: Adaptable and Curious

Communication Style

Geminis excel in communication. Their eloquence and adaptability make them great conversationalists. Studies show that effective communicators often have better personal and professional relationships. Famous Geminis like Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy showcased their gift of words, captivating audiences with their charm. Their ability to switch topics and connect with diverse groups is a hallmark of their personality.

Intellectual Curiosity

A Gemini's thirst for knowledge is insatiable. Whether diving into literature, technology, or art, they love exploring new ideas. Statistics show that Geminis often excel in fields that require constant learning and adaptation. This hunger for wisdom fuels their ambitions and drives them to pursue various interests.

Dual Nature

Geminis are known for their duality. This characteristic can showcase both their strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, they exhibit versatility and creativity. However, this duality can also lead to inconsistencies and indecisiveness. Astrological texts often highlight this complex nature, making Geminis both delightful and challenging companions.

Gemini Career Paths: A Multifaceted Approach

Ideal Professions

Geminis thrive in careers that allow them to express their adaptable and communicative nature. Fields like:

Journalism

Writing

Sales

Marketing

Education

These professions benefit from their quick thinking and ability to connect with others. Successful Geminis like Anne Frank and Bob Dylan have left significant marks in their respective fields, illustrating the potential for success when they follow their passions.

Challenges in the Workplace

While Geminis possess many strengths, they face unique challenges in the workplace. Their restlessness and tendency to multitask can lead to difficulties focusing on a single task. To overcome these challenges, they can:

Set clear, achievable goals.

Use time management techniques like the Pomodoro method.

Break tasks into smaller, manageable parts.

These strategies can help them channel their energy productively.

Entrepreneurial Tendencies

Geminis often show entrepreneurial spirit. Their adaptability and communication skills can lead to successful ventures. Studies suggest that certain zodiac signs, including Gemini, often have higher success rates in starting businesses. This potential for entrepreneurship aligns with their desire for variety and new experiences.

Gemini Love Life: Communication is Key

Relationship Dynamics

In relationships, Geminis seek intellectual stimulation and open dialogue. They value partners who can engage in deep conversations and share their diverse interests. Their connection thrives on mutual understanding and curiosity.

Compatibility with Other Signs

Astrologically, Geminis tend to be most compatible with:

Libra

Aquarius

Aries

Leo

These signs can match Gemini's energetic and social nature, creating balanced partnerships. Expert opinions affirm that understanding astrological compatibility can enhance romantic connections.

Tips for a Successful Gemini Relationship

For partners of Geminis, knowing their needs is vital. To maintain a healthy relationship, consider:

Encouraging open discussions.

Embracing their need for independence.

Participating in new activities together.

Supporting their dynamic lifestyle will foster a strong bond.

Gemini's Strengths and Weaknesses: Embracing the Whole

Strengths

Geminis possess many admirable traits, including:

Intelligence: Their quick thinking allows for agile problem-solving.

Adaptability: They easily adjust to new situations.

Communication Skills: Their eloquence benefits both personal and professional domains.

Wit: Their sense of humor often entertains and engages others.

Psychological studies indicate that strong communication skills contribute to overall happiness and relationship satisfaction.

Weaknesses

However, Geminis might struggle with:

Superficiality: At times, they may skim the surface of relationships or interests.

Inconsistency: Their dual nature can lead to unpredictability.

Indecisiveness: They may find it hard to make choices.

Recognizing these weaknesses is the first step toward personal growth.

Self-Improvement Strategies

Geminis can work on their challenges by:

Engaging in mindfulness practices to focus their thoughts.

Setting priorities to avoid superficial pursuits.

Committing to decisions to build confidence.

These strategies can help Geminis channel their energy into fulfilling paths.

Conclusion: Understanding the Gemini Soul

Geminis are complex individuals marked by their unique personality traits, diverse career paths, and dynamic romantic relationships. Their ability to adapt and communicate makes them captivating companions. By embracing their strengths and addressing their weaknesses, Geminis can navigate life's challenges more effectively. Understanding and appreciating these traits enable them to embrace their unique identities fully.

( want to know more information contact best astrologer acharya devraj ji )

visit: https://astrologyexperts.in/

[slutsukio]

⋆˙꒰ SUKI'S ORIGINAL CHARACTERZ .ᐟ ꒱ prior to delving into my ocs, please acknowledge that every character that is presented on my profile are exclusively and personally owned by me. i have placed blood, sweat and tears into these characters, as well as their whole being + making. please do not plagarize + steal my layout, nor my characters.

☆ !? xoxo, yours truly !? ⋆

⋆˙evadne paloma esperanza .ᐟᝰ

꩜ names + etymology. evadne is an english based name with greek roots meaning "pleasing one" or "graceful. paloma is a spanish based named, translated to "dove." paloma is also a symbol of peace and grace. esperanza is another spanish based nacmed meaning "hope."

꩜ nicknames. lola, particularly used by her mother and father. eva, used by all of her friends / close friends, and occasionally teachers. mimi / vivi, used by her younger brother and sister.

꩜ family. evadne's parents, valentina and orion, fell in love in high school and have evadne at the ages of 20 and 23. after evadne left for college, they expanded their family with twins, esmé and ezra. valentina is a successful model for renowned companies like vogue studios and img models, while orion is a well-known comic book creator + action, featuring in notable films such as the walking dead, grey's anatomy, fall, rampage, and others. the twins, esmé and ezra, are thriving soon-to-be freshmen. esmé is involved in debate club, fashion club, and the captain of her cheerleading team. while on the other hand, ezra had been a multi-sport athlete ever since he was little, participating in swimming, track, basketball, soccer, and volleyball (his personal favorite). despite some challenges in their family dynamic and their schedules, they make it work.

꩜ prns + gender + sexuality. evadne is a multifaceted individual. she embraced the fluidity of their gender identity by affirming that any pronouns may be used to address her (but her personal favorites are she/they). she has a balanced taste for both presenting feminine and masculine, it all truly depends on her mood. they literal do NOT care who they date, their go-to is "if you sexy, you're sexy." she has an expansive taste in people ranging from 90s fine men, to masculine presenting females who are actually girly girls. she doesn't care, she wants EVERYBODY!!

꩜ zodiacs. evadne is a libra. libra's are characterized by their diplomatic nd charming nature. they have a strong sense of justice, seek harmony in their relationships, and are socially adept communicators. libra's appreciate art and beauty, often displaying creative flair. evadne has a libra sun, gemini moon, and leo rising. with a sun in libra, they're likely to have a strong emphasis on balance and harmony in her life. they may seek to create and maintain harmonious relationships, often displaying a charming and diplomatic demeanor. now, the moon in gemini suggests that her emotions are quick to change, and they may find comfort in mental stimulation and variety. evadne is an individual who communicates their feelings effectively and posseses a natural curiosity about the world. there can be a need for intellectual engagement to feel emotionally satisfied, and they may value versatility in emotional expression. finally, her leo rising adds a touch of theatricality and confidence to her outer persona. evadne is always recognized from her charismatic and vibrant presence.

꩜ birthdate. october 19th, 2003.

꩜ age. 21.

꩜ race + ethnicity. hispanic-american (puerto rican). puerto ricans, also colloquially known as boricuas, are the people of puerto rico, the inhabitants, and citizens of the commonwealth of puerto rico and their descendants.

꩜ languages. spanish, english, latin (currently learning).

꩜ height. 5'7 1/2

꩜ eye candy. caine eugen

꩜ college major. evadne is pursuing her career in attaining her associates degree in nursing + bachelors degree of science in nursing.

꩜ hobbies. painting, writing, sewing, singing, pottery, baking, rock collecting, modeling, reading, gardening, photography, scrapbooking + journaling, traveling, dancing.

꩜ pets. evadne has a female american cocker spaniel. her name is penelope and she is 5 months old. (she's treated like a princess too).

꩜ music taste. mf doom, tyler the creator, frank ocean, steve lacey, omar apollo, mac miller, dreamer isioma, berried alive, the lava children, ecstatic sunshine, sza, solange, earl sweatshirt, kali uchis, childish gambino, dijon, cuco.

꩜ birthplace. nestled within the sun-drenched landscape of southern california, evadne and her siblings were born and raised in los angeles, a sprawling metropolis renowned as the epicenter of the nation's film and television industry. this vibrant city, often referred to as the "entertainment capital of the world," is home to iconic landmarks and legendary studios that have shaped the cinematic landscape. dominated by the world-famous hollywood sign, a symbol synonymous with the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, los angeles boasts a roster of illustrious studios, including paramount pictures, universal studions, and warner brothers. los angeles, with its palpable aura of creativity and stardom, beckons visitors into a world where dreams are crafted, stories come to life, and the spirit of the silver screen thrives amidst the palm-lined streets and sun kissed landscapes.

꩜ mbti. estp is a personality type with the extraverted, observant, thinking, and prospecting traits. they tend to be energetic and action oriented, deftly navigating whatever is in front of them. they love uncovering life's opportunities, whether socializing with others of in more personal pursuits. estp's are bold, rational + practical, original, perceptive, direct, social. but as well as those strengths, they have their weaknesses. estp's are insensitive, impatient, impulsive, unstructured, they may miss the bigger picture, and they are defiant.

꩜ personality quirks. she has a birthmark that looks like a big burn scar (it is, her parents lied to her when she was younger. #todoroki kinnie). if she doesn't say it, her face will. they believe in supernatural myths, such as mermaids, aliens, ghosts, etc. their nose twitch everytime they're cold, sick, or when they have to sneeze. always writes in cursive, her cuneive writing is TERRIBLE. an adrenaline junkie. grabs her (male) friends by their backpacks and sends them flying to the ground. very fast runner, used to run track.

꩜ personality 101. evadne is attractive, brilliant, athletic, creative, dedicated, dramatic, eloquent, venturesome, sociable, self-reliant. they are also apathetic, blunt, demanding, egocentric, impatient, inconsiderate, obsessive, irascible, and superstitious.

꩜ job. they work at a thrift store on weekdays, and she is also a social media influencer. she loves thrift stores because they find different variants of people coming in for a diverse mix of things. such as elders come in for old antiques or out of date couches. or maybe kids their age coming in looking for clothes, silver tag levis, old jewlery that was probably once owned by a wealthy woman in the 1960s, unique shirts to make their style more flamboyant.

꩜ likes. drama (theatre), music shows, concerts, painting, high-end food, traveling, singing, reading, parties, socialization, art, beauty, sewing, novels, small jewelry, plushies, keychains, open mics, late nights, bars, film festivals, cinema events, musicals, art galleries, art exhibitions, food tasting events, escape rooms, fashion shows, ramen shops, improv shows, collecting vinyls, thrifting, astrology.

꩜ dislikes. negative energy, rude people, dishonesty, being judged, overly complicated technology, spiders, snakes, long meetings, sitting for a long amount of time, perfumes that smell like old women, being interrupted, busses + under ground trains, waiting in long lines, untidiness, early mornings, scam calls, strong wind, poor customer service, being late to appointments, loud construction.

❁ suki speaking — i love evadne sm! i messed up her name like 17 times when writing this dawg. i was typin "avadne" or "evande" LAMOA. but, the faceclaim is @j014r4qu3ll on instagram! best read in light mode with white background. enjoy :3!!

[essseateatarot]

How to Ask the Right Questions to Tarot Cards

Formulating Your Questions

Asking the right questions in a tarot reading is crucial for gaining meaningful insights. The quality and depth of the answers you receive are directly influenced by how you frame your inquiries. This means approaching your tarot session with clarity and intention, ensuring your questions are open-ended and reflective of your journey towards self-discovery.

The art of questioning in tarot is not just about seeking answers, but also about exploring possibilities and pathways that might otherwise remain hidden.

With thoughtful and well-crafted questions, a tarot reading can transform from a simple card interpretation to a profound experience of personal insight and growth.

The Importance of Clear, Focused Questions Clarity and focus are key when asking questions in tarot. Vague or overly broad questions can lead to confusing and ambiguous readings. Instead, aim for specificity. For instance, instead of asking, “What should I do about my career?” consider asking, “What steps can I take to advance in my current career path?”. Such focused questions invite more detailed and actionable insights.

Open-ended vs. Closed Questions Tarot readings thrive on open-ended questions—those that encourage exploration and reflection. Questions that begin with “how,” “what,” or “why” are more likely to yield in-depth insights. For example, “Why do I feel stuck in my current situation?” or “What can I learn from my recent challenges?”.

On the other hand, yes/no questions, while popular, often provide limited perspectives. The tarot’s strength lies in its ability to open up broader vistas of understanding, which is best achieved with open-ended inquiries.

Tips for Phrasing Questions Effectively When formulating your questions, keep these tips in mind:

Focus on yourself: Questions should be centered on your own experiences and feelings. For example, “How can I improve my relationship with X?” instead of “What is X thinking?”.

Avoid fatalistic questions: Steer clear of questions that relinquish your power of choice, like “Is X going to happen?”. Instead, ask for guidance on how to influence an outcome or understand a situation better.

Be open to insights: Approach the reading with openness and readiness to explore different angles, even those that might challenge your current perspectives.

Crafting the right questions is both an art and a science. It involves clarity, intention, and an openness to the journey of discovery that tarot offers. As we move forward, the next sections will delve into specific topics and themes that are well-suited for tarot readings, as well as those that are best approached with caution or avoided altogether.

Topics to Explore in Tarot Readings

Tarot readings can offer insights into a variety of life’s questions. From personal growth to relationship dynamics, the cards can provide guidance on numerous topics.

Start with general inquiries that can lead to profound insights. Questions like, “What do I need to know about my current life situation?” or “What lessons am I learning at this stage?” are excellent for gaining a broader understanding of your life’s trajectory.

Questions About Relationships and Ex-Partners Tarot can be particularly revealing when exploring the dynamics of relationships. Asking questions like, “What can I learn from my past relationship with X?” or “How can I improve my approach to relationships?” can provide clarity and closure. For those navigating the complexities of reconciliation, questions such as “What steps can lead to a healthy reconciliation with my partner?” can be insightful. Additionally, for individuals who are single, queries like “What can I do to prepare myself for a fulfilling relationship?” can offer valuable guidance. Couples may also benefit from tarot readings by asking, “How can we strengthen our bond and grow together?”. Thus, tarot readings provide a reflective mirror for all relationship stages, offering insights that help individuals and couples alike chart a course toward deeper connection and self-understanding.

ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO RECONCILING WITH AN EX? SECURE A PROFESSIONAL READING AT ESS SEA TEA TAROT; CHOOSE A DEDICATED RECONCILIATION READING

Methodological Questions on Tarot Readings For those interested in self-conducted readings, questions about the process can be immensely helpful. Consider asking, “What should I focus on during my next reading?” or “How can I connect more deeply with the messages the cards are revealing?”. Such inquiries can enhance your practice and deepen your connection with the tarot.

Personal Growth and Career Exploring questions about personal development and career paths can also be fruitful. Inquiries like, “What strengths can I leverage in my career?” or “What challenges am I likely to face in my personal development journey?” can provide actionable insights and guidance.

Spiritual and Emotional Insights For spiritual and emotional exploration, questions like, “What is my next step in spiritual growth?” or “How can I deal with my current emotional challenges?” can be enlightening. These questions encourage a deeper introspection and understanding of one’s inner self.

Navigating Ethical Boundaries – Questions to Avoid in Tarot

While tarot readings can be a powerful tool for insight and spiritual guidance, there are certain types of questions that are not well-suited for this practice. This holds true for both in-person and online readings, where ethics play a crucial role in ensuring a respectful and meaningful experience. Understanding and respecting these boundaries not only ensures ethical readings but also enhances the quality and relevance of the insights you receive. Before engaging in a tarot reading, especially online, it is important to check a reader’s credentials and their ethical approach to ensure a safe and genuine consultation. This section focuses on the kinds of questions to avoid and the reasons behind these limitations.

Avoiding Questions That Infringe on Others’ Privacy Tarot readings are personal and introspective. Questions that attempt to delve into someone else’s private life, motivations, or intentions without their consent can cross ethical boundaries. Avoid questions like, “What are my friend’s secret plans?” or “Is my colleague being honest about their work situation?”. Instead, focus on questions that relate to your personal experiences and perspectives.

Questions About Medical, Legal, or Financial Advice Always remember that tarot readings are not a substitute for professional advice in medical, legal, or financial matters. Avoid questions like, “Should I invest in X?” or “What is the prognosis of my health condition?”. Such questions are better addressed by qualified professionals in the respective fields.

Time-Specific Questions Tarot readings are not about predicting exact timelines. Questions like, “When will I meet my life partner?” or “When will I get a promotion?” are often too specific and can lead to unrealistic expectations. The tarot is more effective in providing guidance on the qualities to look for in a partner or how to prepare for career advancements.

Questions That Limit Your PerspectiveFinally, avoid questions that are overly narrow or lead to a constrained viewpoint. The tarot is most effective when it opens up new perspectives and possibilities, rather than confining you to a specific outcome or path.

Understanding these ethical boundaries will help you approach tarot readings with respect and openness, leading to more meaningful and insightful experiences.

CONTINUE READING AT ESSSEATEATAROT.COM

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[nividawebsolutions]

Web Development Trends 2023: What's Shaping the Future of Online Experiences

The development of the web over time is evidence of the tech industry's commitment to constant innovation in the face of a constantly shifting digital landscape. Keeping up with these changes is crucial if we are to continue providing our clients with the most innovative solutions as a leading Web development company in Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Web development has come a long way from its infancy to the present day. Static HTML web pages were the foundation upon which the modern web was developed. The pages were static and lacked the interactive elements that characterise modern websites. However, a giant leap was made in web development with the introduction of JavaScript and its associated frameworks. This ushered in a new era of user-centric design, rich media, and dynamic content.

The subsequent appearance of content management systems (CMS) triggered a sea change in web development and administration. WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal are just a few of the platforms that have simplified content updates and modifications by eliminating the need for elaborate coding. As a top Web development company in Gujarat, India we were responsible for implementing these systems to provide our customers with better control over their material and provide more streamlined processes.

As the variety of devices available to users grew, so did the demand for responsive web design. Maintaining continuity of use across devices with varying display sizes is now of crucial importance. This focus on responsive design is in line with our mission as a Vadodara web development company to deliver excellent user experiences on all devices.

Cutting-edge innovations like AI, Progressive online Apps, and AR have come to define modern online design and development. These developments are raising the bar for performance and user interaction, allowing for the creation of truly unique digital experiences. As an excellent Web development company in India, we've embraced these developments, tapping into their potential to create sites that expertly blend aesthetic value with state-of-the-art features.

The Advent of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs):

The advent of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) has been heralded as a revolutionary step that has effectively blurred the distinctions between regular web pages and dedicated mobile apps. Nivida Web Solutions is recognised as a distinct Web development company in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. We recognise the potential of PWAs to improve digital interactions for our customers and their end users, and we are committed to seizing this opportunity.

When it comes to interacting with and understanding material on the web, progressive web apps herald a significant shift. These applications take the greatest features of both websites and mobile apps and offer users extraordinary interactivity and functionality. We know that progressive web apps' (PWAs') smooth user experience is crucial to attracting and retaining visitors.

PWAs are distinguished by their adaptability to different screen sizes and devices. PWAs guarantee the same high-quality experience across all devices, from mobile to desktop. Being the most reliable Web development company in Gujarat, we are dedicated to providing solutions that are as adaptable as possible to meet the needs of a wide range of users.

Instant loading times are another strength of PWAs, which they achieve in spades regardless of network performance. Faster loading speeds improve the user experience by decreasing the need for patience-testing waits. We know how important it is for our client's digital platforms to load quickly so that users can have a positive experience.

In addition, PWAs include offline capabilities that let consumers view content even without an active internet connection. This is a huge deal, especially in places with spotty internet service.

Voice Search and AI Integration: Transforming User Interactions

Key developments, such as voice search and AI integration, are revolutionising the way people use the internet. We at a premier Web development company in India understand the revolutionary potential of these technologies to shape the future of people's time spent online, and we're dedicated to maximising that potential to create delightful, natural user experiences for our customers and their target demographics.

Voice-activated search engines are changing the way people find their way online. The way individuals look for information has changed drastically since the introduction of voice-activated devices and virtual assistants. To ensure that our clients' platforms are still discoverable and available to consumers who prefer speech-based queries, as a reputable Web development company in Gujarat, we know the value of optimising websites for voice search.

Another game-changer in user engagement is the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI), especially in the form of chatbots. Artificial intelligence-based chatbots allow for immediate help and tailored suggestions. Users are more satisfied and invested in the experience because it feels more human. As an India-based web development agency, we specialise in incorporating AI-powered chatbots to provide innovative user experiences that go beyond standard interfaces.

In addition, businesses may learn more about their customers' habits and preferences using AI-driven data analysis, paving the way for more tailored content and a more satisfied customer base. Vadodara's most innovative web developers know full well the strategic value of using AI to create personalised user experiences.

Keeping up with the competition requires websites to evolve as the use of voice search and AI increases. Our agile web development team builds AI-driven features that respond to user preferences and expedite interactions to make websites voice search-friendly.

Web Accessibility and Inclusive Design: Making the Web Universally Usable

The trend now is towards making websites and apps usable for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The principles of web accessibility and inclusive design have recently come to the fore, greatly impacting the process by which new websites are created. We understand the impact these tendencies will have on the future of people's interactions with the internet and are dedicated to building accessible platforms for everyone.

For those with physical or cognitive impairments, it is essential that websites be built with accessibility in mind from the start. However, Inclusive Design goes above and beyond accessibility standards by taking into account a wider range of user requirements and preferences. We, as Gujarat's leading web development agency, believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the same high-quality online services without discrimination.

Screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, picture alt text, and optimisation for users with visual, aural, or cognitive impairments are all components of Web Accessibility. Not only does Inclusive Design account for people of all ages and linguistic backgrounds, but it also takes into account the specific needs of those users. Websites built by an Indian web development firm following these guidelines would be accessible to the widest possible audience.

Web accessibility and inclusive design have many positive outcomes. For starters, they improve the quality of service provided by a website by making it easier to navigate and utilise. Second, they allow people who might not have been able to visit websites before to do so because of these tools. Websites that are easy for users with disabilities to navigate tend to rank higher in search results. Being the most distinguished Web development company in India, it is our responsibility to ensure that these guiding principles are fully included in our work so that no user is overlooked.

Immersive Technologies: AR and VR Redefining Online Experiences

The advent of new kinds of online experiences is due in large part to the widespread adoption of immersive technologies like AR and VR. We at Nivida Web Solutions, recognise the game-changing potential of augmented and virtual reality to shape the future of the internet. Incorporating these innovations into websites and apps will allow developers to craft more engaging and dynamic experiences for users.

In Augmented Reality, the user's environment is augmented with digital elements such as images, animations, and data. In contrast, virtual reality (VR) allows users to feel as though they are actually present and interacting within a digital world. We see the potential for augmented and virtual reality integration to transform customers' online experiences across sectors.

Virtual and augmented reality has the potential to produce very compelling interactions that will draw people in and keep them engrossed in digital material. The level of immersion provided by these technologies is unrivalled by more conventional means, whether one is trying on clothes before buying them or touring a house virtually. As an Indian web development firm, it is our job to leverage augmented and virtual reality to create user experiences that stick with them long after they've left the website.

The fields of teaching, learning, and leisure could likewise benefit greatly from these innovations. The ways in which people take in information are changing as a result of the advent of augmented and virtual reality technologies. Responsible web development in Vadodara means using cutting-edge tools like augmented and virtual reality to build cutting-edge platforms that provide users with more than just the run-of-the-mill experience.

Final Thoughts:

The trends we've covered thus far are just the tip of the iceberg, but they give us a glimpse into the exciting and transformational future of online experiences as we look ahead to 2023 and beyond. All of these developments—from Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) and voice search to Augmented Reality (AR) and inclusive design—point to a single truth about the modern digital landscape: it is in a constant state of flux, and businesses that want to stay competitive must be willing to adapt to new realities as they emerge.

Being an industry-leading Web development company in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, Nivida Web Solutions has seen this transformation firsthand. By deftly incorporating these developments into our projects, we not only stand ready to take advantage of these tendencies, but we also intend to establish new standards in web construction. Our inspiration comes from our customers' ideas, and we build each website with the goal of going above and beyond their wildest dreams.

Our commitment to quality and originality remains firm even as the environment around us changes. We hope you'll join us on this exciting adventure into the future. Working together, we can fully realise the advantages of PWAs, voice search, augmented and virtual reality, web accessibility, and more. Together, we have the opportunity to create a vision for the future of digital culture that doesn't merely reflect current fashions but rather pushes the envelope. Nivida Web Solutions is where website creation is headed in the future.

[istariray23]

The Axis Tower Alabang is a modern and prestigious high-rise building located in the heart of Alabang, one of the vibrant business districts in Metro Manila, Philippines. This 32-story tower stands as an iconic landmark in the area, offering a mix of residential, office, and commercial spaces.

Designed with elegance and functionality in mind, the Axis Tower Alabang boasts a sleek and contemporary architectural design. Its glass façade creates a visually appealing structure that stands out amidst the city skyline. The building also features state-of-the-art facilities and amenities to cater to the needs of its residents and tenants.

For residential purposes, the Axis Tower Alabang offers a variety of well-designed units, ranging from studio apartments to spacious condominiums. These units are equipped with modern fixtures, providing comfort and convenience to its residents. Additionally, the tower provides lifestyle amenities such as a swimming pool, fitness center, function rooms, and landscaped gardens, creating a desirable living environment.

Apart from its residential component, the Axis Tower Alabang also houses office spaces that cater to businesses and professionals. With its prime location and excellent connectivity, it serves as a strategic hub for various industries. The tower provides flexible office layouts, advanced technological infrastructure, and efficient security systems, contributing to a conducive work environment.

Furthermore, the Axis Tower Alabang features a retail component on its lower floors, offering a range of dining, shopping, and service establishments. This provides convenience to both residents and visitors, effectively meeting their daily needs.

In summary, the Axis Tower Alabang stands as a modern and dynamic development in Alabang, embracing the principles of urban living. Whether as a place to call home or a space for business, it offers a blend of style, functionality, and accessibility to cater to the diverse needs of its occupants.

[niamhmcgall-embroidery]

‘Of Meadows and Blue Skies’ by Melody Money

‘Of Meadows and Blue Skies’ by Melody Money was a solo show at Visions Art Museum in San Diego in 2021 that now lives on the form of an online and video exhibition on the Visions website. Melody Money is a mixed media textiles artist who prides herself on attention to detail and is “motivated to take a medium that is traditionally worked on a smaller scale and expand it to a larger version” and that's evident in this show.

After Melody Money received her Fine Art degree from the University of Colorado, she went on to study prismatic colour theory at Rudolph Schaefer school of design, and this schooling in colour theory shines through throughout the show. This works’ colour pallet is almost exclusively bright warm blues, greens and yellows. Few of the pieces from this collection use colour pallets that could be described as realist. Instead, Money opts for the sort of colours that you could imagine a child choosing for a scribbled marker pen landscape that features a buttercup yellow sun in the corner of the page. It’s clear that these colours, maybe even more so them the actual pieces themselves, were designed to invoke a child-like wonder and love for nature.

Money’s piece ‘field studies’ is more reminiscent of a sample board than a fine art piece but that makes me love it even more. The piece itself is a 4 x 10 grid of textiles field studies, these studies are predominantly beaded embroideries of local wildlife like birds, butterflies and various flora. Money clearly prefers creatures that fly as, apart from one solitary fish, all the animals depicted have wings of some variety. I do not find this preference shocking as the sky is a constant reoccurring character in her work, always lovingly decorated with swirling winds. This piece being a series of studies and not one final piece makes the work seem a lot more personal to Money, I feel like I am witness to a before unseen part of her process which is both greatly endearing and gives greater context to the rest of the work in this collection.

Money uses beading throughout these pieces, most significantly in ‘Rain’ but also rather heavily in ‘Field Studies’. All the beads she has chosen have either an iridescent or metallic quality to them, this means that in the bright lights these pieces shine. In ‘Field Studies’ a trio of blue iridescent swallows pull your focus immediately and in ‘Rain’ the whole lower third of the piece is alight, shimmering with silver bead work. These circles of beads and stitch create pools and puddles of rain that reflect both the faux, stitched light in the piece as well as the real, dynamic light of the exhibition space. Melody Money has said that light is the key to making her art sing, and I couldn't agree more, the beading on both these pieces would have been significantly less impactful and appealing had she opted for dull beads; it would have completely lost the magical shifting colours of the swallows and apparent glow and movement of the pooled water. The effect that light has on these pieces and really all of Money’s work make it such a shame I was only able to view this exhibition in the form of consistently lit photos and a lower quality than I would have liked video. I do think her work is lovely but to have seen her work in reality, especially in shifting sun light, would have been something else entirely.

‘Rain’ is an incredibly dynamic work, though the art itself is ever-stationary. Money’s use of layered vertical strips of differing shades of blue draws your eyes up and down the piece. This paired with the influx of cascading, downward-pointing triangles, which colours fade from navy to white, creates a faux sense of gravity, like the fabric rain is really falling. This effect and the way that Money has achieved it is beautiful and, in my opinion, makes ‘Rain’ the most visually stimulating piece in the collection.

By comparison, ‘Chant’ at first glance is a much simpler work; the colour pallet is more muted, and it lacks the flashy beading and intricate forms of some of the other pieces. Instead, most of the piece is made up of layers of silk shaded fields. From a distance this embroidery looks simply like blended colour, but up close the individual threads are evident and reminiscent of thousands of single plants and grasses. Due to the simplicity of the design of this piece, the intensity of the silk shading shines through. The most impressive element is the scale of the piece and volume of stitches - this amount of embroidery is a feat to undertake. But what I can only assume is dozens and dozens of hours of work has absolutely payed off, as all these dense stitches create this sense of never-ending, empty fields. This feeling is accented by the inclusion by seventeen beads of small iridescent birds in flight, up over the fields into the waiting bright blue sky above. These tiny birds seem little and insignificant in scale, compared to the force of nature that surrounds them, to a degree that I can’t help but feel small alongside them.

‘Of Meadows and Blue Skies' is undeniably a love letter in fabric and thread to the ever-changing natural world that surrounds Money’s home in Colorado. Having grown up in an environment similarly surrounded by nature, Money’s work really speaks to me, it reminds me of the importance of enjoying and protecting the wild spaces around us. Money says in her artist statement “I try to shine a light on everyday moments” and for me she does that both completely and beautifully.

[mmnazzar]

Mastering the Art of Being a Stellar Affiliate Marketer

Introduction:

In the digital age, affiliate marketing has emerged as a lucrative avenue for individuals seeking to generate passive income. Becoming a successful affiliate marketer entails more than just promoting products; it requires strategic planning, relationship building, and a keen understanding of your audience. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the intricacies of excelling as an affiliate business, offering practical tips and insights to help you thrive in this dynamic industry.

Understanding Affiliate Marketing:

Understanding affiliate marketing basics is crucial before delving into success tactics. Fundamentally, affiliate marketing is collaborating with businesses to advertise their goods or services in return for a cut of purchases made via your referral link. Because it enables higher sales and brand exposure, this business model benefits both the merchant and the affiliate marketer.

Choosing Your Niche:

A key to becoming a successful affiliate marketer is choosing a niche that fits your target market, area of expertise, and interests. You may gain your audience's trust and position yourself as an authority in a particular field by concentrating on it. Make sure there is enough demand and competition in lucrative sectors by conducting in-depth research.

Building a Strong Online Presence:

You must have a strong online presence on a variety of channels in order to market affiliate products. This involves setting up a polished blog or website where you may post excellent information relevant to your specialty. Utilize email marketing, social media, and other digital channels as well to connect and interact with your target market.

Creating Compelling Content:

In the realm of affiliate marketing, content is king. You need to be producing worthwhile, educational, and interesting content all the time if you want to draw in and keep readers. Blog entries, product reviews, guides, videos, and more can be used for this. With your content, put your attention on solving the issues and meeting the wants of your audience.

Selecting the Right Affiliate Programs:

With so many affiliate programs out there, it's important to pick the ones that pay competitive commissions and fit your specialty. To determine which affiliate network or program best suits your audience and objectives, do some research on them. Seek for programs that offer a variety of goods and services, prompt payouts, and dependable tracking methods.

Building Trust with Your Audience:

The foundation of effective affiliate marketing is trust. You need to come across to your audience as a reliable and trustworthy source of advice and information. Be open and honest about your affiliate relationships, and only recommend goods and services that you sincerely believe in. Developing a lasting relationship with your audience is considerably more important than closing a deal right away.

Optimizing for Conversions:

As an affiliate marketer, you must improve your techniques for conversions if you want to maximize your earning potential. This entails employing convincing copywriting strategies, search engine optimization (SEO), and the strategic placement of calls-to-action (CTAs) across your content. To raise your conversion rates over time, evaluate your performance indicators frequently and make any improvements.

Diversifying Your Revenue Streams:

Although affiliate marketing can be a very profitable source of income, it's a good idea to diversify your sources of income in order to reduce risk. Consider looking at additional revenue streams like consultancy, digital product sales, and sponsored content opportunities. Not only may diversification boost your earning potential, but it also offers protection against changes in the affiliate marketing industry.

Staying Updated and Adaptable:

Affiliate marketing is a dynamic area that is always changing due to the frequent emergence of new technology, trends, and techniques. Make a commitment to lifelong learning and follow industry advancements to stay ahead of the curve. In the always evolving digital landscape, you must be prepared to modify your strategy and try out new approaches in order to stay competitive.

Conclusion:

A systematic strategy, effort, and dedication are necessary to become a great Affiliate marketing You can fully utilize Affiliate marketing as a long-term revenue stream by selecting the appropriate niche, establishing a solid online presence, producing engaging content, and developing trust with your audience. Continue honing your tactics, keeping up with market developments, and never stop learning. In the fast-paced world of Affiliate marketing, you can succeed spectacularly if you have the correct attitude and perseverance.

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[cattrigger]

The Making of 'No Robots Allowed'

A short visual novel I made, and how I made it.

No Robots Allowed - A Short Game in the Date Time❤️ Universe.

On Sunday, I released a small visual novel called 'No Robots Allowed', a post-apocalyptic comedy with a bit of romance & horror put in.

You’re at the doors of PARADISE…

…but it seems that the security protocol doesn’t trust you.

Can you prove you’re not a robot?

If you haven't played yet, check it out before reading the post!

Play the Game!

The Making of No Robots Allowed

This was for a game jam called "O2A2" (Only One of Any Asset), a minimalist focused jam that challenges developers to make a game with as little as possible:

-Only one character

-Only one background.

-Only one sound effect.

-Only one song.

-Less than a thousand words.

Game Jams are an amazing way to get started on game development, and O2A2 is both a challenge and an opportunity to work within constraints & make something without overexerting yourself with asset creation.

For last year's O2A2, I worked on "Long Time No Life", a romantic / comedy / drama about resurrection and love.

This year for "No Robots Allowed" I wanted to take the opportunity to expand a tiny bit into the universe of Date Time, while still making something unique that can stand on its own.

Design

Do you know I can do more than Pixel Art? It's true!

While the game does take place in the Date Time ❤️ universe, I also wanted to work on something that was very different from the 8-bit look.

I did want to make a more 'realistic' environment for this game, especially since it was going to be the environment the player was going to spend the entire time in. Even with Melissa❤️ & Morris❤️, I had different environments on screen to show variety.

The environment also had to be high detailed so that it wasn't tiresome to look at, and also allowed me the freedom to have the camera pan from one part to another to give a more dynamic feeling to a piece that would be largely static.

The environment is largely a mixture of flat color & texture, with blobs of lighting painted on top.

There were a few times I used photos, for instance, Petya's sides are actually ends of lightbulbs.

Our Robotic Protector

Petya, the security protocol, was originally a large robot with big hulking arms. On the screen, I drew them to have a head and face, similar to the characters of Melissa, Morris & Anna.

However, I made the decision to step back from giving them a 'human face', since technically Petya wasn't a "Date Time" software entity, they're developed for something completely different, and that would not require 'human features'.

I then made the decision to get rid of the 'body' in replacement of them being a hanging monitor.

Story-wise, it was convenient, as the entire theme of the game is about the separation of humans & robots, and having Petya being as visually non-human as possible was a cool way to drive the point home.

(Early version of the 'body-less' Petya concept)

A Mad Dash to the End

For me, development of a story for games is always an evolving element as the game gets closer and closer to finished.

I do always walk into a project with an outline, but things get altered so quickly as I begin drawing out assets and programming the game.

All of my game jam games have had some drastic changes late in their production cycle, and 'No Robots' is no different. A 'finished' version of the script was done Friday night, roughly a little over 24 hours until I was to publish the game.

Even during these late stages, I was still changing things. Adjusting designs of the face, adding / removing things in the story, and experimenting with new visual effects and shaders at my disposal.

I would love to say that I always walk into a game project with a strong and unchangeable plan, but that is just not how I work with games.

So much of my creative process is in the moment, and veering into new avenues that I may not have considered during the sketchbook / concept phases of the game.

Speaking of facial expressions, for instance, Petya's 'face' wasn't finalized until I was nearly done with the script. At the end of Thursday, I drew the first 'pack' of expressions for Petya based on what I 'felt' was most fitting for them.

Obviously, this system just wouldn't work under other team setups. If I was a dedicated artist on a project, and someone ELSE was writing. I definitely would be annoyed if the writer dropped me an insight on how a character would look 48 hours before everything was to be due.

I am a professional artist in another industry, and you never want to be 'that guy'.

Causing psychological damage ON YOURSELF though, is a little bit more acceptable. And... sometimes FUN! :D

Will We See Petya in Date Time?

I'm surprised by all the positive feedback I got for Petya, so I guess at this point I don't have any choice.

Thank you everyone for playing 'No Robots Allowed', more Date Time content is incoming.

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[abhinavuhblog]

Digital Media : Sources & Significance

Critical Analysis

H.. Desamsetti & K. Lal(2019) , “Being a Realistic Master: Creating Props & Environments Design for AAA Games”, Asian Journal of Applied Linguistics, Vol. 6 No.2 

Introduction  

The data I've chosen to analyze is an article on Being a Realistic Master: Creating Props & Environments Design for AAA Games, which is written by Harshith Desamsetti & Karu Lal from Asian Journal of Applied Linguistics (volume 6, No 2). H. Desamsetti is the Senior Software Engineer at Charter Communications in USA and K. Lal is the Integration Engineer at Ohio National Services in USA. Both authors have unique perspectives about this topic and have solid authorities in their fields. 

The overall article talks about the process of creation and realistic environments for AAA video focusing on the techniques, limits and strategies involved in creating visually stunning and authentic environments. The authors states that “the games come to life because of a well-designed environment, which provides additional layers of depth, context and emotional effect to the narrative. And here, I’ve chosen pages 195-196. In these pages the authors have been discussed as two main topics, ‘Role of An Environment Artist’ & ‘Environment Design from Scratch’. 

Role of  An Environment Artist 

The duties and responsibilities of an environment artist can be discussed as two, ‘making the world & Teamwork’.  

In the creation of game world the main duty of an environment artist is to create a realistic world which includes a variety of tasks such as designing the layout, creation of layout elements and props, and handling overall elegance. The size of the project (small independent game or AAA development) has a big impact on the artist’s performance. In small-scale manufacturing, the environmental designer may own a large portion of the pipeline, handling various activities from dressing & these impacts in scale effect. In the independent game development design to final product. AAA games can have a focus on specific elements like set decorating , the artist can be involved in the process of designing, blocking and creating the last form of props and structural parts. The process can vary greatly in AAA productions, with concept art providing the settings and level artists handling the blocking. Decorating the set, the addition of various elements to the environment for the quality of being real is the key point in both cases. 

Working as an environmental artist play an important role in collaborations with other departments which includes working with level designers, art directors, concept artists, prop artists and animation directors to turn blackout designs into suitable form of levels, it is the result of Teamwork. These highlight’s the varied and dynamic roles of environmental designers, emphasizing flexibility depending on the scope of the project. Designer responsibilities range from world building to highly collaborative teams, reflecting their role on tangible aspects of the video game environment. 

There are some departments that environmental designers often collaborate with to create a cohesive and immersive gaming experience. 

Level Design: Responsible for playing the initial block at game level. Blockout collaborates with environmental designers to transform a beautiful and playful environment. 

Prop Art: Creates props and additional content, including textures. He coordinates the export of props, which contribute to the overall aesthetic and functionality of the theater. 

Animation: They keeps the spirit or order in the environment alive. The animation seamlessly integrates with the game world and collaborates with environmental designers. 

Game Design: They focus on the overall design of the game. He works with environmental artists to showcase game elements such as weapon availability, player abilities, and other interactive elements. 

Concept Art: Through conceptual art, he generates ideas and plans for the environment. Concept designers provide visual feedback and inspiration in the development of game worlds. 

Art Guidelines: Collaborates closely with concept designers and other department members to ensure visual cohesion throughout the game. Art directors play an important role in shaping the overall artistic vision. 

Technical Art: It ensures that the game works properly on different hardware platforms. Creates tools and products for environmental designers and other departments to increase operational efficiency and solve technical challenges. 

Marketing: The one who is responsible for promoting the game. Although not directly involved in the making of sporting assets, the marketing department plays an important role in exposing the work of environmental designers to a wider audience. 

Environmental Design from Scratch 

The process of designing environment begins with brainstorming. ‘Google’ and ‘Pinterest’ can be used to collect a variety of visual references. That might be photographs, film, and conceptual art of people and ideas. The artist intentionally looks only for references that may be loosely related to the main concept. This’ll helps in creating unique and innovative ideas by drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources. A selection of screenshots and references have been compiled into a mood board. It acts as a visual collage encapsulating the aesthetic, style and desired perspective of the project. Artists then proceed to rapidly create images based on the collected references. These diagrams are a preliminary analysis of ideas and help visualize the overall layout. Depending on the needs of a project, artists can create a set of drawings or detailed utility drawings. This phase involves refining the baseline image to produce a more realistic representation of the suspected objects.  

Artists use sketching as a problem-solving tool if there are already elements in the layer that need to be fixed due to artistic connection or technical limitations. These images were created with the specific purpose of finding answers to design challenges. The methodology described goes beyond the traditional steps of brainstorming, gathering reference data, gathering reference data, and creating a sensitivity score. Instead, the team immediately starts simulating the environment in the game engine. The team may work with little or no feedback, or they may only work in group sections selected by art direction. This simplified process shows a spontaneous and immediate way of translating concepts into the game environment. Sketching is sometimes used as a tool to find solutions for existing features in a layer. This includes addressing artistic confidence in a particular game universe, such as “for the sake of honor” or overcoming technical limitations imposed by level design. After creating a design on the engine, the team seeks approval, obtains it and proceeds to remove the asset. This includes ensuring appropriate calculations and making enough adjustments based on feedback from the art director. The modeling is then outlined, and high-quality renderings of the elements are created using tools such as ‘ZBrush or 3ds Max’. Then Unwrapping (UV mapping) occurs during or after the modeling process. The group continues to go first with materials, textures and lighting.  

The team’s responsibility at Ubisoft focuses on modeling and level art. The team works independently across projects, and the workflow is more organic. Once the team is satisfied with the results, they move on to polishing the lighting, followed by polishing materials and designs to achieve the desired effect. 

Conclusion 

In overall, the authors discuss about the artist’s duties range from world creation to extensive collaboration across departments, demonstrating the significant roles they play in shaping the visual aspects of video game environments. While the environment artists work collaborates with several elements, such as level designing, animations and the overall artistic direction in the process of game creation. A graphic approach to problem solving and integrating different roles within the team implies a dynamic and iterative process in environment design. 

[bellenthigale]

BACKSTAGE FUN

Women have always led the way in politics and business‚ but it has only been in recent years that they have begun to fully empower one another. One of the most fascinating ideas is femininity. The particular experience of being a woman is made up of a complicated and lovely combination of traits. Because every woman experiences femininity in a unique way‚ it is so fascinating and dynamic. Every woman has a distinctive style of expressing her femininity‚ and there are a wide variety of ways to do it. Each woman expresses her femininity in her own particular way‚ whether that be by adopting stereotypically feminine traits or creating her own version of it. In order to be a strong woman‚ you must defend the moral high ground while also supporting other females. When we band together to support and encourage one another‚ women may become a powerful and important force in society. Women empowering women is prevalent in many spheres of life‚ including the business and the family. Defending each other’s rights‚ standing up for what we believe in‚ and using our voices to question the existing quo are additional ways that women may empower one another. By standing up for each other and the causes that concern us all‚ we can bring about the change we want to see in the world. Creating a supportive and respectful atmosphere is the ultimate goal of women empowering women. The goal is to create an environment in which women can fully express who they are and realize their potential. It is about supporting one another‚ having faith in one another‚ and cooperating to improve the world.

The Parisian cabaret Le Crazy Horse Saloon‚ also known as Le Crazy Horse de Paris‚ is well-known for its stage performances featuring naked female dancers as well as for its varied magic and variety “turns” in between each nude performance. In other places‚ its owners have contributed to the creation of similar cabaret and burlesque shows. The term “Crazy Horse” has been utilized in the names of unrelated enterprises. L’ART DU NU‚ which translates to “the art of being naked”‚ is a term used to describe a classy Parisian arrondissement. It is the renowned Crazy Horse‚ which has remained unmatched for almost fifty years as a revolutionary creation that exalts the female form as both an artistic expression and a source of amusement. In its exquisitely furnished theater on the Avenue George V‚ directly across the street from Yves St. Laurent and next door to the House of Balenciaga‚ the Crazy Horse show has been viewed by more than five million people. It has gone through three major stages of development since Alain Bernardin founded it. Alain Bernardin‚ an amateur artist and full-time antiques dealer‚ launched the Crazy Horse in 1951. He had long been entranced by two seemingly unrelated ideas: the American Western film genre‚ with its mythical saloons and legendary events‚ and the beauty of the female form. On May 19, 1951‚ he performed his debut performance in the cellar of a classy structure on Avenue George V‚ close to Place de l’Alma. It signified his attempt to rebel against the Left Bank and St. Germain des Pres’ post-war fashion restrictions. Bernardin was attracted by the “Taboo” nude acts that Boris Vian was staging‚ but he wanted to produce something that was more eye-catching than the standard American striptease while yet being suitable to a broad audience. On a single girl‚ without any choreography‚ he experimented with projected light and color. Along with other advances‚ he experimented with strobe-like effects. Even today‚ Doda d’Hambourg and Rita Renoir are remembered with affection as some of his dancers who went on to become legends in their own right. .The 1960s saw the beginning of a cultural and creative revolution in both France and America‚ and the Crazy Horse show adapted to the new trends in ways that boosted its notoriety and reputation as an artistic powerhouse. In addition to Pop Art and Nouveau Roman‚ New Wave Cinema‚ Neo-Realism in European art‚ Avant-Garde fashion‚ and a resurgence in interest in the performing arts‚ this was a moment of Neo-Realism. Bernardin started to turn from the unique to the group. He used one or more dancers to transform his figures into what he called “living pictures”. Each song evolved into its own spectacle with its own choreography‚ scenery‚ and lighting. There was a steady supply of fresh concepts and innovative musical accompaniment. The sublimation of art into the female form was Bernardin’s intended result. Women were art‚ and art was women.

My most recent performance was at the renowned Crazy Horse Paris cabaret in France. Even though my presence on the show wasn’t a surprise‚ when the word about it broke‚ folks were astonished and were looking forward to it‚ especially BLINKs. I can state with certainty that the audience members present at the performance were impressed with the other dancers’ and my performance, as well as our exuberant visuals‚ during the performance. I had on a stunning costume that was both seductive and comfortable‚ and I had on a pair of heels as well. For my performance‚ I danced on stage and just enjoyed it‚ much to the audience’s joy. I enthralled the audience by synchronizing my movements with the music. I performed both solo acts and ensemble songs with the rest of the cast in five special shows from September 28 to September 30 at the French cabaret. Only the fans who won tickets to the events were able to witness me play at the Crazy Horse but there was a rigorous no-recording rule there. I posted some snippets‚ some of the pictures of what I wore‚ of my enticing and appealing performances and look at the cabaret on Instagram for BLINKs who wanted to see how I dressed for the evening. You must have seen my most recent Instagram upload at this point‚ I’m hundred percent sure. What do you think of my look? Did it made your haw dropped? Just kidding. I’ll never ever forget this particular instance. The fact that my 언니‚ the other members‚ were present to encourage and supported me during my performances in the show added to its memorability. After a 14-hour flight‚ Jennie언니 arrived days after Jisoo언니 and Rosé언니 with a huge bouquet of flowers‚ but Jisoo언니 and Rosé언니 arrived on Day 1 of the show. Due to the fact that they were in Paris for YSL‚ Dior‚ and Chanel Paris Fashion Week‚ they seized the opportunity to witness and support me. They all went and supported me despite their hectic schedules‚ and I really appreciate it a lot. In addition‚ many well-known artists also visited and watched; Rosalia herself was also present‚ we had a picture together with Jisoo언니 and Rosé언니.

BLINKs! I appreciate all of your love and support‚ which you gave and showered me from the start all the way through the end of my show. You guys waited outside the venue patiently‚ and I am really touched by your unwavering support for the me‚ as well as the other members. My appearance and performance was a tremendous hit with the crowd‚ and the Crazy Horse show is known for its risqué acts. At Crazy Horse Paris‚ it was such a fantastic experience. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to making this fantastic experience possible. You guys can call me whenever you need someone to fill that place; I’m really excited and looking forward to appear on the show again.