#chat: andromeda all

[teddy-tonks]

Who: @blackestrose Where: Gryffindor Common Room

ted had seen andromeda as he approached the drinks table for a refill. he'd never really spoken to her in a place like this. the only place they'd really spoken in public before was at book club and he wasn't sure that counted. he knew he shouldn't feel nervous, he had as much right to talk to her as anyone here, but still it felt weird. even he couldn't help but feel like he was doing something wrong. he suddenly felt more aware of everyone in the room. yeah they weren't really friends or anything but they had stuff in common and he had genuine reason to make conversation with her right now. "hey" his voice soft, trying to hide his caution. thinking it best to skip the small talk he dived right in as he poured himself a drink "i saw this band during the summer that I think you might enjoy- especially the lead singer, she was amazing, one of those people who capture your entire attention, really something special."

[starsh0cked]

9 12 16 and 17 for the iconic MIENNAGALA (or just the ones youre most interested in answering if thats too many lol). ps is andromeda in a relationship? is she an evil girlboss wifey type beat?

HELLO REZ!! i'll have you know there's no such thing as too much or too many when it comes to oc asks >:3 plus the answer for your question abt andy is at the bottom! thaaaank yooouu!!

[9 - 👀]: What do other characters think of their relationship? Do they approve or disapprove?

i'll be honest, out of everyone, meta knight's the only person who ever disapproved of it. the reason was mostly because of his disdain for galacta. he didn't have the best view of him for a while, and considered him a dishonorable, violent and selfish person. he grew out of that view after spending more time with the him. he still thinks that gala's selfish and violent (and narrow-minded and a few other things) but he knows he has a heart now. that heart is solely reserved for his closest loved ones, though, so meta doesn't get to see much of it unless mienna's around! plus, he can tell how much mienna enjoys his company.

most characters would probably be pretty neutral about it except for magolor. mienna and galacta barely know him, especially since he only passes by to ask history questions or borrow books, but he definitely knows them. mostly through overhearing conversations, but still. he's rooting for it, but mostly because he thinks seeing gala around would be cool!

[12 - 💞]: When did they each first realize that they had fallen in love with the other person? Did they confess their feelings soon after realizing or did it take a while for them to confess?

ouuughh. THIS QUESTIONN!!!! thanks for picking this one :D i'll answer this one with my main au for them in mind, that simply being the one where nothing particularly bad really happens and everyone gets to just live life. i'd like to affectionately call it the peaceful living au for now!

much to his dismay, gala fell first (and probably very, very hard.) while 'when' isn't something i've got cut out too clearly right now, i think he'd probably realise during one of his softer moments. maybe while she's tending to his wounds, or helping him preen the feathers he can't quite reach, or even while they're just spending time together. no talking, no nothing. i mentioned this in the ask i answered earlier from this ask game (in the tags), but he doesn't like being very open or vulnerable with people. he's only ever let himself be vulnerable with one person, back in his glory days (who i won't talk about bc i'm not done designing her but she's pretty relevant). it clicks to him that he hasn't felt this safe in years - centuries, even - and that he's been softening up around her. of course, he tries to fight it and avoid her, but that's pretty hard when you live with your crush!

mienna fell for him really slowly, and she didn't realise for a while. in fact, meta had to point it out to her - that maybe, just maybe, she might be in love with him. she thought about that for a while. there was a bit of doubt, particularly because she truly and honestly did not believe that he'd ever fall in love. she figured that he'd take love as a distraction from his duties, even in a time when he wasn't so needed anymore. but she accepted it after a while.

the thing is, both of them would probably have an awful time confessing. if meta knight didn't play wingman for both of them (a terrible experience, really), they'd probably never tell each other how they felt. even with meta's intervention, it'd take quite a while for either of them to muster the guts to confess.

[16 - 🎮]: At what point in the Kirby series (during a specific game, between games, specific anime episode, etc.) did your ship get together?

probably a while after katfl!

[17 - 🤝]: Have they ever gone on a double date with another couple/is that something that they would be interested in? If so, who is the other couple that they’d go out with, and what would they all do during the date?

oooh, this is a fun one! while they've never gone on a double date before, i don't think either of them would mind having one with mk and dedede! it'd probably be some catch-up over dinner and wine with some friendly sparring on the side. admittedly, mienna sucks at fighting, so it'd probably turn from a double date to an all-stars teaching session.

---

andromeda mention!! yippie!! she isn't in a relationship, let alone is she very interested in falling in love. she cares very little for romance, overall, because her heart rests in family. unfortunately she doesn't girlboss WHATSOEVER and instead she's some sort of weird crossover between a girlfailure, a full-time hater and a strong dose of a god complex. except for in that peaceful living au. she's kinda chill there and basically 90% girlfailure, 10% grief

[sasskarian]

.

[ccccatttta]

one thing that i haven't ever totally agreed with is how some part of the fandom portrays sirius as this character that was born good and who has been against his family from the second he learned how to talk.

the tragedy behind the black brothers is that one of them had a support system who helped him see how his family's beliefs were not the correct way to go and offered him a safe space to run to when it all came crashing down. while the other was stuck not only by his family's duty but everywhere he turned was also filled with the same beliefs.

i don't think sirius was fighting with his parents about muggles and blood purity until maybe a year after coming back from hogwarts. i think he had the same beliefs, actually, because that's all he knew. he might have doubted them a time or two after spending time with andromeda or alphard, but at the end of the day he was a child, and children do follow whatever their parents tell them to, especially when there's not a proper and constant role model teaching them there is another way.

sirius was the proper black heir until getting to hogwarts, but deconstructing himself didn't take a day. i've read how he feels free the second he gets into gryffindor, and how with a single chat with james, he's ready to forget about everything his parents have spent years telling him.

sirius was probably spewing the same pureblood things his parents taught him, he was probably not happy about getting into gryffindor in the first place, it's against everything he had been told his entire life.

that's where the marauders intervene, he is able to have his own beliefs and realize that his family was wrong because he had a whole group of people teaching him and allowing him to make mistakes along the way without fear.

while regulus has been stuck forever, first in his own house, then in slytherin, and then with the death eaters. he also learnt about loyalty and friendship and what was wrong or right, yes. but he didn't have the freedom to even talk out loud about it given the place he was in.

their own personalities doom both of them. when sirius learns that his family is wrong, he turns defiant and outspoken, that's how he is and even if he's aware of it or not, he has the liberty of having a place to go to when things go wrong. regulus is cunning and thinks everything through first, so even if he learns his family is wrong, he knows he can't say anything, his friends are tied in the same world, and his only "protector" is gone.

that's the tragedy between them.

they are both the same, no one wasn't born being "good", one just got lucky enough to be placed with the correct people

[thisisntmyrightera]

The Slytherin Princess - Severus Snape ( Young ) x YN Black

Just a little of what I have in mind for young Severus, I hope you like it and give me your opinions so I can continue writing.

Plot: Young Severus Snape finds a true friendship in Y/N Black, Sirius's feared cousin and younger sister of the terrifying Bellatrix, little knowing that the scent of amortentia belonged to her.

Themes: Romance / Adventure / Fluff / Angst

Chapter 1

The Slytherin Princess

Sometimes, just sometimes, the heart is confused by finding a little affection. That was what Severus felt for Lily: love out of compassion.

The poor, defenseless child, abandoned to his fate by a submissive mother and an abusive father who had never felt true affection. How could such a defenseless being have honest feelings in his heart if they had never shown it to him? It was then, when Lily agreed to be his friend, that his heart made him believe it was the only thing he deserved and that she would forever belong to him.

That was until little Lily, in her innocence and following her heart, decided that she belonged in her Gryffindor house and would remain by the side of the man who, from day one, would make the lonely Snape's life even more impossible, James Potter.

Even when the soul is confused, you cannot manipulate it to follow the wrong path, even when you believe it is the right one. And the innocent "Snivellus" did not know that his soulmate would be the most powerful in every way.

YN Drusilla Astaria Black, born to Druella and Cygnus Black, the youngest of the family and the most loved and protected by her sisters, Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa, nothing could be wrong with the girl with Y/C/H hair and enchanting eyes, except for being a member of the aristocratic House of Black, as well as the sister of Bellatrix, the youngest Death Eater currently and a follower of the Dark Lord.

Every Slytherin feared the presence of this fragile but imposing girl. She had no friends, no suitors, and her daily life was based on reading and secretly practicing magic. Sometimes, when she got bored of practicing the spells she already knew by heart, she liked to go to the third-floor bathrooms to chat with her talkative friend Myrtle.

"You know, you're the only girl who dares to come here without laughing at me. You're very different from your sister." The girl with big eyes and round glasses reminded the heiress of the Black how different she was from her older sister whenever she had the chance.

"Sometimes I wish everyone else could see me the way you see me, Myrtle, even if it's just taking the time to know my name and not call me Nepotrix." Her bright Y/E/C eyes would moisten whenever she remembered that she would never fit in with the "normal" boys at school.

Her thoughts came and went. It wasn't possible that of all her sisters, she had the noblest heart, and yet, because of the reputation of her ancestors, no one noticed, and absolutely everyone decided to avoid her. She felt like a failure. Those thoughts echoed so loudly in her head that she didn't notice that as she walked, her tunic became tangled in the grass, and the laughter of some mischievous children sounded from behind a large oak tree.

"Who wants to see Snivellus's underwear?" James Potter shouted to his friends as they all laughed and pointed his wand at the thin and shy black-haired boy that YN often found alone reading in the Slytherin room - Expelliarmus

Y/N watched as the pale boy's wand flew out, leaving him unarmed as he was cornered against the oak tree.

"Look guys, he's scared," the bespectacled boy chuckled, pointing his wand at the pale neck covered in strands of black hair.

Her books fell to the floor with a loud thud, making Remus turn around, wiping off his smile. He knew her, he knew she was the best in Charms class and wouldn't hesitate to defend someone from her house.

"James," the brown-haired boy called after him slowly. "James…stop."

´´I haven't even started yet, Moony.´´James laughed, moving away from the cornered boy, swinging his wand, making the pale boy float in the air while he was clearly short of breath.

´´Stupefy ´´The young witch's black and gold wand barely pointed at the Bully when a transparent wave came out of the tip, causing him to lose his balance and fall stunned. The impact of the suspended boy's body on the floor made the entire group of worried boys not know where to look, stunned and disoriented. "Who's next? You think you're very brave for being in a group, but I assure you, you're cowards. Go away!" the girl shouted angrily without lowering her wand.

While the Gryffindor group helped their leader and left as quickly as possible, some stumbling, looking back from time to time, making sure they didn't receive a hex from behind.

"Are you okay?" Y/N looked at him worriedly, putting her wand in her robes as she quickly approached to help him get up from the floor. "Did you hurt yourself?"

The boy didn't say anything, he didn't even look at her, ashamed and humiliated by what had happened. It was obvious that it wasn't the first time, but in the same way, no one had previously witnessed it and they had realized how ridiculed he was by his school enemies.

''You have… something on your face'' carefully her soft hand tried to arrange his black strands of hair but he just walked away growling a little ´´I'm sorry no… I shouldn't have dared to do that .. ´´ she sighed looking at the floor embarrassed, she knew how uncomfortable her presence was for everyone and it was obvious that there was no difference with the pale boy ´´ I hope you get better ´´ she smiled a little moving away to pick up her books from the floor arranging them carefully in her arm to walk away slowly, looking for another refuge where she could read without disturbing even those she wanted to help

But that day as she walked away this time that shy boy looked at her, not like he normally did with everyone else, with fear and worry that she would come back and hurt him, if not, that day something inside Severus changed, he felt his heart beat strongly and as the evening breeze blew through the leaves of the trees he could recognize a scent that made him furrow his eyebrows and cover his nose, that scent that He had only smelled the scent of night breezes and roses in Potions classes before, making his stomach churn and tingle inside him.

That night, poor Severus didn't sleep. He constantly stared at the moon through his bedroom window, and when he grew tired of this, he turned to stare at the ceiling.

For her part, Y/N's eyes couldn't take their eyes off the same moon Severus occasionally gazed at, wondering what she had to do to feel more supported and loved by her classmates.

Even though sometimes those thoughts were suppressed by the memory of that pale, quiet boy. Was he still okay? Did he still feel pain from that fall, or was his ego bruised? His dark eyes were beautiful, she thought, smiling slightly, barely feeling embarrassed by her own thoughts.

The next morning she headed quickly towards Professor McGonagall's classroom, her favorite teacher despite being a Gryffindor. She entered quickly hoping she hadn't arrived late enough, stopping next to that quiet and mysterious boy who barely looked at her through his strands of hair. But she didn't want to make him uncomfortable any more than she possibly already had, so she took a deep breath and turned to Sirius, her cousin, while clearing her throat, making the curls of her hair jump as she turned her head curiously.

"Well, well, what's my favorite cousin doing here? Do you miss me?" The heckler laughed, causing James and Peter to do the same in chorus behind her.

"I miss kicking your ass like my sisters do." Her books hit the table without taking her eyes off him as she sat down abruptly, pushing him a little. "I see. If sitting with your own family bothers you so much, why don't you just leave and sit next to your weak and pathetic friend, huh?" His slender fingers moved a strand of hair from her face, causing her to look at him in annoyance. "Maybe I need help, just like yesterday." "You son of a bitch…" The door opened, prompting everyone to settle into their seats and pay attention to the respected teacher.

This time, the class was about Transfiguration, a subject that interested Y/N deeply, so much so that she had been reading about it daily in her quest to become a shapeshifter like her favorite teacher. But Severus, that poor boy, couldn't stop paying attention to Y/N. Every time she bent down to write, her hair cascaded over her shoulders, her smooth skin shone with the lit candles, and her legs looked like a pair of porcelain adorned with those dark stockings. Why was he paying so much attention to her? This time, he hadn't even noticed Lily sitting closest to him, and as soon as McGonagall announced the end of class, he practically ran out, trying to hide as far away as possible so as not to be found by the Marauders or any other students who had started making a habit of bothering him.

During the night, YN, as usual, went up to the abandoned bathroom, the one where she chatted with her only friend, Myrtle.

"I met a new boy today," the girl with glasses laughed as she circled near the window. "He's so handsome, somewhat, and with eyes as dark as if they were empty."

´´Really?" Her mortal friend laughed, looking at her as she turned the page in her book. "And what was his name?"

´´Hmm, I don't remember." The ghost approached her, curious, making a gesture of innocence and mischief. "I think it was… Sev… Bastian, or… maybe…"

´´Severus?´´ YN replied as the innocent dead girl fluttered around clapping her hands. ´´How do you know Severus?´´

´´Oh, are you jealous?´´ He laughed childishly covering his mouth ´´He's just my friend, you know. I talked to him a little and he told me he likes a girl. He said she was pretty and very smart, that her scent reminded him of the autumn night breeze and the flowers in the common room'' Myrtle smiled floating while YN smiled a little feeling a lump in her chest and her hands squeezed her book. ´´It's possibly not even you.´´

You're such a wretch. - YN threw her book so hard that it went through the misty form of the floating girl while she laughed mischievously hiding in a cubicle. ´´ Of course I'm pretty and smart, silly girl´´ She stood up abruptly grabbing her book from the floor while taking long strides towards the door, leaving without realizing that when she turned in the hallway she would collide with a cold and hard form making her stumble. The only thing stopping her from falling to the floor was a pair of hands that held her by her arms. ´´ I'm… sorry, I… I don't I saw´´

Did you hurt yourself? - a cold, deep voice made her look up, barely noticing in the moonlight that pale face adorned by pitch-black hair. She barely managed to shake her head as she adjusted her robes and picked up her book. ´´ I'm sorry, I didn't see you either.´´

´´Yes, it's… it's okay, don't worry.´´ she smiled at him embarrassedly, trying to get past him to return to the dormitory, but their clumsiness made them dance a couple of times, each trying to go their own way, making both teenagers laugh embarrassedly, hearing for the first time that deep laugh from the silent Snape. ´´I'm sorry… ´´ They both erased their smiles, hearing footsteps and James's voice whispering, while at the beginning of the corridor they could see

They both erased their smiles as they heard footsteps and James's whispering voice, while at the beginning of the corridor they could see the group of Marauders walking with their wands performing the Lumus Charm.

"Shit," the dark-haired girl sighed, "it's my cousin and his stupid friends." She looked at him with round eyes, taking Severus's arm and pulling him away. "Let's go, they'll probably come for you."

"But…" the boy barely followed her, tripping over his robes as he looked back fearfully, listening to the group's shoes echo on the floor of the abandoned corridor as they tried to run.

"They're moving away, this way," Sirius shouted in a whisper.

"Come on…" YN pulled Snape, both of them hiding behind a column while she put her book in her robes. "Do you trust me?" Severus looked at her curiously. Of course he didn't trust her. He barely knew her. She was a Black, Sirius's cousin, and the sister of a Death Eater. Of course he didn't trust her. "I don't care. You'll just have to trust me. Hug me."

"What?" Severus looked at her nervously and astonished. How dare she ask him to do that?

"Hug me quickly." He barely managed to wrap his arms around her as she stood on her toes, wrapping her arms around his slender neck. Severus felt a sensation of suffocation and imbalance, falling suddenly onto a smooth, hard surface. "I'm sorry, I always let you fall."

He barely managed to open his eyes, noticing with difficulty that he was in the Slytherin common room. Fortunately, there was no one around. He was lying on the dark carpet in the middle of the great hall, his head spinning repeatedly as he watched the girl easily get up.

"What… was that?" His face looked scared, almost incredulous at what had happened as she smiled, sitting in the black leather armchair, looking at him almost amused.

"I teleported us both. It's a simple spell, but it requires concentration. One day I can teach you if you want. Can I help you?" Her smooth hand approached him carefully, but again he rejected her, standing up only to shake his robes.

"How do you know? They were looking for me?" He looked at her worriedly, standing without moving, waiting for an answer.

"Me? It's probably because of their stupid map." "Which map?" "The Marauder's Map" is a silly parchment that Sirius and his friends have. On it, they can see all the names of teachers and students within the Hogwarts grounds, and the map shows where they are going and where they are. "So, that's how they always manage to find me?" He looked at her worriedly. "I'm afraid so." She looked at him sadly. "I'm so sorry about how my cousin treated you. He's just as much of an idiot to me, but my sisters tend to scare him."

She smiled, making him look down, not avoiding her friendly gesture, but avoiding her smile and the blush that had turned her face behind the strands of her hair.

"Well, Sev, I hope I've helped you today. Good night." She smiled at him again, getting up slowly, walking beside him to the girls' wing, once again sending him that scent of night breeze and roses.

"Good night," whispered the outcast boy.

[shanastoryteller]

Happy Pride! I'd love to see a continuation of Percy and Tonks' relationship

At breakfast, her mother says, "Well, it's good you haven't found the advanced track too overwhelming yet." Sometimes Tonks thinks Andromeda took all the bigotry she escaped by leaving the Blacks and channeled it into passive aggressiveness. "Any new paramours on the horizon or has your dedication to your new position kept you from trifling?"

The last part is part scolding, part joke, because her mother knows by now that nothing keeps her from trifling. Tonks is usually eager to tell her mother of latest string of dates, of the newest person she's charmed into her bed or is flirting with. Her mother groans and is appalled and makes noise about setting her up in a proper betrothal for the sake her nerves. It's one of the consistently fun parts of their little chats.

She hesitates.

Andromeda, too sharp for Tonk's own good, raises an eyebrow.

"I'm working on it," she says. "Maybe. He's cute."

Her mother raises a hand to her temple. "Please tell me you didn't arrest him. A criminal, dear? Think of your career."

She laughs, trying to imagine in. Percy's more likely to arrest her than the other way around. "Relax, Mum. Nothing like that. How was the Longbottoms? You went to theirs for lunch last week, yeah?"

Andromeda waits a beat, just long enough to let Tonks know that she's not getting away with anything, then launches into a story about society that Tonks usually does her best to tune out.

It doesn't feel right, for some reason, to gossip and giggle over Percy with her mother like she usually would when she's set her eyes on someone.

He doesn't like being laughed at.

[hogwartsstudentconfidential]

✨🎶Hogwarts Confidential is back. Back again. Confidentials back. Tell a friend. 🎶✨

Hellooooooo students! Welcome back to your favorite gossip newspaper. I hope everyone had a good Christmas holiday now let's get into the news and boy do I have a lot of news for you.

Starting off with some weekly updates as usually before we get into the good stuff:

Filch has been announcing a new ban on gummy yoyos? What even is a gummy yoyo? And how have you all been using it to terrorize Filch? (Wanting to know for research purposes definitely not for my own schemes…)

Now some good news. Now that we're back from break McGonagall has stated no exams for the next month so Ravenclaw should throw a party now that they don't have the excuse of their studies to hold them back.

Speaking of Ravenclaw did you all see that game this past weekend? Whoo that was a close one, although it did seem like Ravenclaw was very distracted. Congrats to Marlene on her win in the Hufflepuff vs Ravenclaw game! I know she didn't play but she always wins in my heart [insert heart eyes].

And for our weekly activity because none of us can just stay in and study, Dueling club starts this weekend. So everyone head up to the clocktower this Friday for some awesome battles whether that's between your friends or your enemies. (nobody tell Pomfrey what really happens if you get injured.)

NOW ONTO EVERYONE'S FAVORITE PART, THE GOSSIP:

Starting off congratulations to Alexander Kemet-Ali and Andromeda Black on their engagement this past weekend at the Hogwarts New Year's ball. Alex brought in the new year by getting down one knee and popping the question right as the clock struck midnight. The young daughter of Black saying yes, after worrying us all in her recent post that they broke up before confirming they are actually in fact engaged!

Now onto a new brewing love triangle. Jamie the Ho and Anastasia Selwyn have been dating for the past couple of months as everyone knows but at the Potters Christmas ball it seems as though the Selwyn girl ran off to the gardens only to be seen alone with none other than Phoenix Harvey. Is this a scandal on our hands? It was well known a few months back that Harvey and Selwyn were caught hooking up after a wild Slytherin party only for her to end up with that whore Jamie a few days later. What is this girl thinking?

Ms. Selwyn was also seen leaving the Gryffindor common room crying a couple of days ago. Phoenix Harvey rushed after her to comfort the teary eyed girl. The girl crying over none other than shitty boyfriend Jamie Ho’s response to a photo of the girl having a nice time in his long-time rival's common room. Trouble in paradise I suppose. They should definitely break up.

Actually I almost forgot Kingsley Shacklebolt seems to have confessed his long time crush on the soon to be quidditch player at the Potters ball only to get rejected by the jerk that is Ho as he was dragged away by his girlfriend. How anyone could like Jamie Ho is something I will never understand.

Now onto Hogwarts favorite roller coaster of romance, Pandora Rosier and her significant others??? Trust me you'll wanna sit down for this one. According to sources the young Rosier twin attended the Potters ball with none other than Valentina Zabini only for the two to separate at the party and Pandora to be found chatting with Xenophilius Lovegood in a lonely hallway. The two seemed to discuss their child, a dodo bird whomst I forget its name, and their custody of the bird, as well as confessing previous feelings for one another. Afterwards the girl sought out Zabini and they seemed to have shared a moment? Although that's where the night ends MORE seems to happen a few nights later on New Year's Eve.

But before we get into that let's discuss Xenophilius Lovegood and the reason for Pandora and their discussion over the dodo bird's custody. Xenophilius seems to have never checked on Pandora after her breakup a couple months ago with Pureblood extraordinaire Lucius Malfoy. Instead opting to check on Malfoy and accept an offer of a “friendly dinner” with the boy. Only for Pandora to catch wind and accuse her ex best friend of plotting this the whole time and never caring about her. Which led to them cancelling their dinner with the boy and going back to chasing their longest friend.

Note: some mention from Lucius Malfoy about Xenophilius Lovegood being “the biggest snack”?????

NOW BACK TO NEW YEARS EVE. Pandora Rosier and Xenophilius Lovegood seemed to have run off to once again “check on their Dodo Bird” that Rosier claims is sick. However after their disappearance it seems the two are closer than ever and even seem to be a couple? Confirmation I'm sure will be posted by next week. I wonder how Lucius Malfoy is going to handle this news.

Another note: don't mess with Pandora or she'll steal batteries (and socks??) From your dorm room.

Now onto another world famous couple or should I say ex couple seeing as they are no longer together, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. Hold on to something because this story is just absolutely ridiculous. The two boys broke up a few weeks ago, seemingly out of nowhere. Sirius Black seemed to be handling it worse than Lupin until he announced a new relationship with none other than Nico Mallory. Lupin also seems to have had a night with Lily Evans after the Evans girl posted a photo insinuating the two hooked up after arriving together to the new years eve ball. Lupin who was also seen getting close with none other than Gideon Prewett seems to be going through a hoe phase. But onto the best part, yesterday at the Hufflepuff party, Lupin was seen getting along very well with Mallory up until it was announced Mallory was dating his ex boyfriend. What will become of the two's relationship? Nobody knows.

Now onto the craziest couple in probably all of Hogwarts. Bartemius Crouch Jr and Evan Rosier. The two boys were seen kissing at the new years eve party only for Evan to barely remember and both boys to consult with long time friend and sister, Pandora Rosier. Evan who is engaged to Petra Elwood seemed to forget about the girl and their arranged marriage after finally confessing his feelings to his friend. The two are now dating and Petra is left in the dust for now. Although it seems Evans' previous confusion on his feelings for Petra have now been turned onto her as she battles with her future husband's new relationship and her own blossoming feelings for the boy. What will become of such a chaotic love triangle? Circle?

Callie held a ritual over the holidays??

Now onto my favorite news, MARY AND EMMELINE HAVE FINALLY CONFESSED TO ONE ANOTHER. My girl Mary finally made a move and it worked out perfectly. The two attended the New Year's Eve Ball and Potters Ball together. I wish you both nothing but the best in your relationship.

Tom Riddle has now become play boy extraordinaire? Tom who seems to run an after school club *cough* cult *cough* has been making moves on Hestia, Mary and Lydia. Even going as far as arguing with Emmeline over Mary and then arguing over Hestia with Marlene. I'd back off if I were you Riddle, these girls are not to be messed with.

Now onto the craziest breakup. Hestia and James Potter are no longer the IT couple of Hogwarts. The only stable couple still being Peter and Gilderoy. Maybe Hogwarts is cursed??? Hestia and James are now co-parenting their cat and Hestia was even seen kissing Marlene Mckinnon twice this past week or so. Hestia better treat my favorite girl right.

Also Marlene found out what I look like because she's my favorite girl, best secret keeper and we possibly kissed the world may never know. Love ya Marls ;).

Also Oliver, Severus and Theodore seem to have something going on but we'll see how that goes I guess? Theodore is making me very confused on what's going on.

We also have another new couple, Aurora De'veux and Mason Haus. Hopefully they can have a stable relationship unlike the rest of us. Good luck, lovebirds!

Now onto our last segment because I'm very tired of writing this long ass update. This is actually currently happening as I saw McGonagall, Filch and Slughorn run by while writing this— have you all ever seen Filch and Slughorn run? It's hilarious. ANYWHO the old ballroom is on fire??? AND an abandoned shed in the forest just past Hagrid's hut??? WHO IS PLAYING WITH FIRE???

Dumbledore is asking for updates or if anyone has knowledge on who could have possibly set these fires?? Apparently matches have been found at the scene of the fire–

That's all for now…

Tah-Tah💋

Until next time.

Remember Jamie's unworthy of your infatuation,

Marlene Mckinnon is hot,

And gossip is amazing.

@james-the-amazing-potter @starlight-starbright-thatsme @looneymoonyy @wormy-loves-ch33se @mystical-magical-me @king-ofthe-crop @xeno-graphical @malfoy-lu @rodolphus-le-strange @averykissableguy @fire-allayer @poison-penmanship @lifeofthe-barty @whokilledevanrosier @pandoras-nox @little-king-official @cas-not-the-band @marls-mckinn0n @hjonesworld @mary-mcdeal @emmelineandhervans @sybill-patricia-trelawney @lilytheginger @alicethekindone @flowers-of-narcissus @andromedashoax @the-queen-bellatrix @severusprince-snape @fabian-with-an-f @mollberryshortcake @fawningamos @k1ndest-keeper @aelius-with-a-quill @annajohn-silvae @adam-lukas-morningstar @imogenmorningstar @oxxen--free @camille-laurier @luciagraham @your-favourite-callie @addison-caddel @daughter-of-spring @magandang-kaluluwa @flyasaphoenix @tjsinclairofficial @secretlifeof-asher @toby-newtman-tics @bones-and-edgar @ted-the-teddy-tonks @scattered-across-thesky @alectocrow

[susiekern]

17. the one with the tour

warnings: swearing

word count: 945

masterlist

It was the days like this one, or should I say evenings, that you appreciated the most. When the world seems to slow down, giving you the space and air to breathe. To cherish the things you love the most.

On evenings like this, you’d get cozy in the living room with Nobara, both under a blanket, with warm tea and snacks on the coffee table and a dumb rom-com on the TV. Or maybe you’d spend it in Yuji and Megumi’s apartment, where the destined chef for the night would cook something for the group, as the rest sit patiently at the kitchen island with drinks and chat about things so irrelevant that normally it’d skip your minds. Some days, you and Megumi would escape from everyone and hide in either one of your rooms, playing games, cuddling, or just lying down with quiet music playing in the background. Sometimes he’d play the guitar and sing for you, watching as you relaxed on the bed with a book or just looked at him with pure adoration in your eyes.

It’s one of those evenings when you grab a blanket, something to drink, and climb up to the rooftop to stargaze. The weather is perfect, the cloudless night granting you a perfect view of constellations. You lay on the fluffy blanket, wrapped in Megumi’s hoodie, his warm body next to you, your fingers intertwined. Both of you have one earbud in, changing who’s choosing another song.

Your eyes are mostly stuck on the dark sky above you, tracing the constellations your grandfather taught you about all those years ago when you went camping.

“There’s the Andromeda. Oh, and big and small dogs, they’re chasing the hare that’s right there. They were named for Orion’s hounds.” You tell Megumi, pointing to the shapes with your finger. As you turn your head his way, you notice how his gaze is stuck on your side profile. “Sorry, I bet it’s boring.”

“Not at all. I just didn’t know you knew so much about the stars.” He squeezes your hand and gives you a smile.

“When I was little, my grandfather would take me, Yuji, and Ryo camping in the summer every year. We’d lit a campfire and stargazed for hours. He was passionate about Greek mythology and would tell us about the myths that the constellations were named after.” Your eyes are back on the sky. “It was my favorite day of the year.”

“I can’t imagine Yuji camping. He’d be gone day after day without the wifi.” Megumi jokes, putting his free arm behind his head.

“Yeah, he was the worst one. Ryo would prank him with insects every time.” Laughing, you nod and turn sideways to look at him.

With all the hustle coming with planning a tour, a setlist, and recording a few new songs, Megumi was so busy lately that you started to appreciate moments like this even more. You’d still see each other almost daily, but usually, he’d fall asleep on you or just listen to you talk about your day. So in moments like this one, when you could spend a few hours without anyone else, either Yuji, Nobara, or his band, you loved watching his relaxed face, admiring how calm he gets around you. It also calmed you in a way and pushed the thoughts about the tour to the back of your mind. Why would you worry about it now when he’s right next to you, his thumb is caressing your hand, and he hums the song that’s currently playing in your ears? It could wait another day or two.

“Do you have the favorite one?” He suddenly asks, ripping you out of your thoughts. You nod and look back up, searching for a moment.

“Ursa Minor, a little bear.” You point it out. “It was called after a nymph that nursed Zeus in the form of a bear when he was an infant.”

Megumi focuses on the stars for a moment, trying to memorize the shape.

“I’ll look for it.” He whispers, bringing your attention back to him. Your brows are furrowed when you turn his way, catching his gaze. “When we’re apart. It’ll remind me of you every night.”

You swear your heart stops for a second before it clenches almost painfully. Right, you can try to ignore it, but soon, he’ll be gone for probably three months, traveling the world. You won’t be able to just cross the hallway for a cuddle; you won’t feel his warmth and won’t steal a kiss when out with friends for three months. You’ll only hear his voice when you manage to fit in a call; you’ll only see his smile on the video call. Three months. Seems like an eternity after seeing each other almost daily for so long.

“Will it be toxic if I just chain you down in my room and won’t let you leave?” Your joke comes out weak, given how your voice is shaking and there are tears in your eyes, threatening to fall at any second now. You rest your head on Megumi’s chest, and his arms wrap around you instantly, pulling you closer.

“I wouldn’t be mad, honestly.” He says quietly and gives you a kiss on the forehead, his hands caressing your back. You stay like this until the cold has you escape the rooftop, but even then, you end up in Megumi’s room, bodies as close as possible, like you’re both trying to memorize how it feels. How it feels to have each other close, how it feels to be together, stealing the feeling and saving it in your minds for later.

tag list (lmk if you wanna be added!): @nytylie @fresa-luna @syrooo @zaranobiyuyu @jvpit3rr @pandabiene5115 @good-mourning0 @pearlydays @irwinchester @pxppetmxster @ivydoesit23 @zayuriluvs @applepi25 @s777athv @estella-novella @wgafa @pookalicious-hq @lovely-maryj @briezy04764 @evergumi

[teddy-tonks]

Where: corridor outside the great hall Who: @blackestrose

Ted needed to get some fresh air. He had really been enjoying the evening so far. It was nice to let loose and dance with his friends. Just to be able to forget about the pressures of his final year at Hogwarts and what that meant for his life. Ted had just finished talking with one of the students from Ilvermorny when he headed out into the corridor. He wasn't used to wearing suits, especially not a three piece suit. When he'd told his mum about the ball, she'd found the suit immediately. Telling him that it used to be her favourite of his dad's. It felt special to have his dad with him in that way and Ted thought it rather suited him too. Regardless though, in a room full of people it was making him feel very warm. He found an empty corner of the corridor and shrugged off the jacket. Feeling the relief of the cooler air. He looked around, just people watching at the others in the corridor when his eyes landed on a figure down the furthest end. Even from here he could tell it was Andromeda. He was already starting to walk towards her before his brain could catch up with his actions. He couldn't deny that with every interaction they had he become more and more intrigued. The vinyl she'd lent him, whilst not exactly his style had been beautiful. "Seems a shame for you to be out here alone in a dress that pretty" Ted questioned whether he'd had too much of the punch already and cleared his throat. "I just mean- its very detailed" Ted adjusted the way he was holding his jacket "did you need some air too, its boiling in there." Ted had no idea what he was doing anymore, all he knew was that he couldn't seem to stay away from her and he had no idea why.

[drksanctuary]

As late as I am not straight, as in very. Here’s part 3 @titan-army-week

P ART 3: Princess Andromeda

Alabaster wants to be excited about the maiden voyage. It’s supposed to be an exciting prospect, a leg up, and unsupervised fun. Unless you count the supervision of their godly parents (Al doesn’t). And even if they have to share the decks with monsters whose appetites seem to make them forget their loyalties more often than he likes. He’s supposed to be as excited as Marina is. She is currently taking Tanushree by the shoulders and shaking her with how excited she is. Ok maybe he didn’t need to be that excited he thinks, but at least they’re getting along now even after what happened.

Alabaster’s other siblings are also in good spirits. Brandon is looking up at the ship with awe. Shreya, Celina and Eva are chatting amongst themselves before catching up with Marina who is now practically bouncing with joy.

Alabaster does the mental roll call, he almost, by habit, looks for her.

But she’s not there. He knows she’s not.

“Hey Al” Silena says. “Wheres Lou?”

Alabaster wants to scream.

He had to face the truth now, he could no longer avoid it, it was so pressing that he didn’t even think to ask what Silena the army spy was doing here.

“She’s….gone” he says, failing at the attempt to not sound dramatic

“What??? You mean?? Oh no what happened??” Silena asks eyes full of concern.

Al realizes his mistake.

“Oh…n-no she’s not dead she’s….”don’t say dead to me. Al thinks “defected” he says in the smallest whisper.

Silena does an equally small gasp.

“Oh no…what happened?” She asks again.

*******

Alabaster starts out that evening in higher spirits. He’s all set up in his cabin and is getting ready for “morale building” karaoke event on deck 5.

As Alabaster anticipated almost no-one has shown up.

Luke sits on one of the sparkly purple couches that surround the Karaoke machine.

Al shrugs at him.

“I told you to wait a day. Everyone is tired” Al says “also I don’t think the word spread enough”

Luke sighs.

Ethan arrives. “Where is everyone?” He asks

Alabasters stomach does a little flip. And he briefly runs through romantic songs he could serenade him with before he refocuses.

“Asleep I assume” Al says with a pointed look at Luke.

“We should’ve waited a day” Ethan says with a nod

“Ok! I got it thank you!” Luke says

“Karaoke ti-woah where is everyone?” Silena says

Luke Groans.

Ethan smiles, laughing softly.

Alabaster cackles, ignoring his heart flutters to make sure Luke feels sufficiently stupid.

“Alabaster!” Marina calls as she arrives dragging Tanushree along behind her. “Are you gonna sing???”

“I mean…if this ‘event’ is still going on, sure” Al says, really making sure that that thorn in Luke’s side is securely in there.

Luke crosses his arms. “Do whatever you want” he pouts

“Well maybe if we start, other people will join-“ Silena starts

“Wait!” Interrupts Chris as he enters. “We were allowed bring food?” He says, gesturing to Tanushree who takes a loud sip of her boba tea as if to answer “duh”.

“I’ll be right back!” Chris says and darts off

Silena rolls her eyes “as I was saying” she grabs the mikes “maybe if we start other people will join in?”

She attempts to hand the mike to Luke but he refuses just long enough for Al to snatch it out of his hand.

“Perfect!” Alabaster says “I know the perfect song!”

[luizd3ad]

She's My Religion | Lily Evans x Fem!Reader

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 ࣪˖⤷ .𖥔 ݁ ˖ ࣪ ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 ˖ ⤷

Pairing: Lily Evans x Reader WC:8,636 CW: mentions of abuse, self-doubt, cursing, little bit of homophobia and use of homophobic slur, use of the word Mud-Blood (not used by reader), use of Y/N, Reader is implied to be a Slytherin but not directly specified, mentions of violence, death threats, It’s kinda angsty, but cute at the end. Author's Note: I’ve never wrote for Lily so I’m sorry if this is out of character or something idk I tried this is also the longest fic I’ve written I didn’t mean for it to be this long😅. Summary: What happens when Sirius Blacks little sister and Regulus Blacks twin sister starts to fall for the intelligent and beautiful Lily Evans?

I made this cute little mood board idk I just love this tbh

⨯ . ⁺ ✦ ⊹ ꙳ ⁺ ‧ ⨯. ⁺ ✦ ⊹ . * ꙳

Y/N Black had always been seen as the colder Black out of her and her two brothers and that was saying something especially considering her twin, Regulus. 

Regulus and her had been close their whole lifes. Their eldest cousin Andromeda would say they were thick as thieves. Always doing everything together refusing to go or do anything without the other. 

But after years of abuse from their partners and then it only getting worse when their older brother Sirius left she closed up, to the point of even icing Regulus out to an extent.

When Regulus made the choice to mend the bond between him and Sirius, Y/N made it clear that she wanted no part in it. 

In Y/N’s eyes Sirius didn't care, he didn't love her. She knew he didn't. If he did, why would he leave them? Why would he leave her? Especially with those people.

Sirius had always protected Regulus and Y/N as much as he could. He would take punishment, sneak them food if they were forced to go without. 

Eventually protecting them ment having Regulus go to The Potters with him when there was talk of an arranged marriage for Regulus.

Regulus left 12 Grimmauld Place during winter break in their 5th year, Y/N being left once again.  

At that point she'd separated herself from everyone who'd cared for her, admittedly it was mostly her brothers but also the few friends she and Regulus shared.

Sirius had tried many times to talk to Y/N but she never budged, she'd rarely spare him a glance. He was shattered, Sirius felt as if he'd lost his baby sister. 

Regulus took it worse not that he'd admit that to anyone who wasn't Sirius. He had hoped that she'd forgive them at some point and that she'd join them or at the very least understand why they left but she didn't. 

Y/N wouldn't speak, look, or even be in the same room as Regulus if she could help it. 

Regulus lost his twin, his other half, his life line and she didn't even seem to care. 

But she did care she cared so fucking much. 

· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·

Despite Y/N being cold and dark to those around her, she was smart.

Some would say smarter than Regulus, definitely smarter than Sirius. 

So it came as no surprise to her when the summer between her 5th and 6th year Y/N got word that she was to join the 7th year potions class.

Honestly she didn't care, Walburga was as pleased as she could be and Orion unsurprisingly couldn't care less.

But that's how she found herself being in the potion class the year above and being assigned partners with her. 

Lily Evans. 

Y/N didn't know much about Lily other than she was friends with her brother and his friends, she was smart, a Gryffindor and muggle-born.

Now Y/N didn't care for blood statues. It never made sense to her, the hatred that so many purebloods held for half-bloods or muggle-borns.

It all seemed barbaric and honestly a waste of time.

So, no Y/N didn't care that she was partnered with someone who was a muggle-born. 

She did care however that she was partnered with a friend of Sirius's. And it wasn't just a friend that he would see around and chat up with sometimes no, they were close friends.

This was going to be a problem.

“Hi, I’m Lily! Your Siris’ and Regs’ little sister right?”

Lily stuck out her hand for you to shake with one of the brightest smiles you think you've ever seen. 

You simply roll your eyes and dismiss her hand shake. 

“I prefer to be called by my name, Y/N, rather than being referred to as Sirius and Regulus' sister.”

Lily drops her hand and her smile falls just a tad, not enough for most people to notice, but you did. 

“Of course. I'm sorry, truly.”

“It's fine Evans.”

You say coldly, giving your undivided attention to Slughorn.

The rest of class was spent taking notes mostly with Lily attempting to make small talk every so often. You ignored her for the rest of the class.

You knew Lily was only trying to be nice but you also knew she was only trying to be nice so she could bring up your brothers.  

And talking about them was one of the last things you wanted to do.

· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·

Days started to pass turning into weeks, weeks turning into months.

You and Lily had been cordial.

You tried your best not to be completely rude to her since she always tried to make small talk and she was kind to you.

You actually grew quite fond of her over time but you didn't think that the two of you were friends by any means.

But you were acquaintances.

And you did like being in her presents.

It had been three months since school had started and Slughorn had announced that there was a project that was due in 2 weeks, right before christmas break would start and you were to work on it with your partner.

You sighed and looked to the side to see a smiling Lily. 

You weren’t upset that you had to do a project with Lily considering she was very smart and you liked being around her, but you were upset knowing that you'd have to spend time with her after class and knowing that where she goes her friends were not far most of the time.

Which meant there was a possibility of seeing her friends, which meant a possibility of seeing Sirius and or Regulus more than you'd like.

“Okay Evans we’ll meet at the library after classes are done so we can just get this done. Please refrain from bringing your friends.”

Lily knew what you meant by that, you were asking her to keep Sirius and Regulus away from you.

Lily chuckled and shook her head.

“They go where they please.”

Translation. She couldn't stop either of them, more specifically Sirius, even if she wanted to. 

“I see. I'll see you later Evans.”

You sigh once more gathering your things to walk away. 

“Bye Y/N.”

It always caught you off guard when she would call you by your first name instead of your surname. 

First names were meant for friends, yet she never called you Black. 

She only ever called you Y/N, as if you were good friends. 

You supposed that was just the type of person Lily was. She was nice to everyone unless they gave her a reason not to be. 

· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·

After classes you find yourself entering the library. You were expecting to have to wait for Lily but to your surprise she beat you there.

You walk to the table she was occupying, setting your things down.

Once she notices you she looks up from her seat smiling at you.

She had a very beautiful smile, one that made you feel your heart skip a beat for a moment. But you chose to ignore the feeling, deciding, hoping, it meant nothing. 

“How were your classes Y/N?”

Lily asked with genuine curiosity in her eyes. 

Did she actually care? She couldn't possibly care about my day. No, she didn't care, she was just asking to be polite. That was all. You tried to convince yourself.

“It was fine… How about you?”

Lily then went on about her day. She told you her favorite thing she learned that day, a joke her friend Mary told her that made you actually crack a small smile. 

You couldn't help but hold on to every word that came out of her mouth. 

Without you even realizing it Lily talking was easily becoming your favorite part of the days that followed.

You spent every day that week meeting with Lily at the library and you realized you actually really liked spending time with her. She had managed to make you smile a few times which was a rare sight.

Lily had this light to her that you couldn't describe. She was just everything good in the world. 

She was funny, smart, sweet, kind, beautiful and you wanted to spend every moment you could with her. 

You realized as the weekend grew closer you wouldn't have a reason to see her for two days. That bothered you and you couldn't figure out why. 

The two of you were working late in the back of the library. The library was practically empty.

“There's a Hufflepuff party tomorrow night. Are you going?”

“No. Parties aren't really something I enjoy. I’m assuming it’s safe to assume you're going?”

You say giving Lily a small smile.

“Yeah. We're all going… you should come.”

You knew what she meant. Sirius and most likely Regulus were going to be there.

Over the week of working with her she would make little suggestions now and then about seeing or talking to your brothers without blatantly saying so.

You just shook your head looking down at the table.

“I'm okay, thank you for the invitation.”

“Okay well, I'm going to Hogsmeade on sunday. Usually no one comes with me since they're all hungover. Would you like to join me?”

You felt yourself stop breathing. You didn't know why you felt this way. 

It was just Lily, but you've never spent time with Lily outside of an academic setting. 

Was this for the project? Or were you supposed to hang out as friends? Or was it.. More?

Did you want it to be more?

Before you have the chance to answer or contemplate further, your conversation was interrupted.  

“Oi, Black! Three blood traitors wasn’t enough for your line? You decided to become one yourself?”

Avery said, making Mulciber laugh. 

You look up at them about to get up but Lily grabs and squeezes your hand telling you to let it go. 

So you did.

“Aww isn't that cute? You’re shagging the Mud-blood now? Merlin your whole family is full of a bunch of fuckin’ poof-”

Before he can finish his sentence you have him on the ground holding his nose. You felt what some people would refer to as ‘The Black Family Madness’ cloud your mind. 

You thought it was just pure fucking anger, but what did you know?

You look down at Avery while having your wand pointing at Mulciber to keep him where he is, not showing any emotion on your face.

“I could kill you, you know? I could kill both of you. Make it look like self defense. ‘Oh i was so scared they cornered me and I- I didn't know what to do. I was scared for my life'.”

You say the last part in a mocking tone you then crouch in front of Avery looking him dead in the eyes.

“No one would even blink if you two died. Did you know that? I won't do it though because I refuse to risk myself being thrown in Azkaban. Especially for the likes of you, do you know why? It’s simple really, both of your lives put together don't even measure up to mine alone in terms of importance.”

You stand up straight looking at both of them.

“Now you're going to apologize to Evans for caller her such a vile and disgusting name, and if you don’t I will have a letter send to my mother by the end of the night about how I walked in on you two shoving your tongues down each other's throats and how I ‘just don't know what to do!’ and then we can see how your fathers react to just the idea of having ‘poofs’ inside they're line.”

You give them a small smirk while Avery and Mulciber look at each other debating if they're willing to have a rumor like that go around especially since it was a lie.

“And if you think my mother won't believe me. I reassure you, she will. Why would I lie? It wouldn’t benefit me as far as she's concerned and I am as close to a ‘perfect’ child as she'll ever get and if it comes out that the two of you might be shagging then the dirty looks get taken off The Black Family’ and move to The Mulcibers’ and The Averys’. So let's play this one smart boys.”

That seemed to convince Avery enough that he stands up and looks at Lily and forces out an ‘I’m sorry.’ 

Mulciber is a little more hesitant. You send a Stinging Jinx Mulcibers way, he falls to his knees with a small hiss and looks at Lily.

“I'm sorry Evans, really really sorry.”

Mulcibers cried out

“Now. You're both going to leave Evans alone. You are going to keep her name and both of my brothers' names out of your mouths. Am I understood?”

You say with no emotion on your face once again. 

They both let out quiet ‘yes’s’ while scrambling to leave.

After the ‘Madness’ had cleared from your mind it hit you what you did. You didn't feel bad about what you did but you realize you did it all in front of Lily. 

You don't even look at her as you start to gather your things.

“I’m sorry Evans, really. I-I should go.”

You ramble out while trying to walk away. Lily grabs your arm stopping you in your tracks.

“I won't lie and say I agree with what you did, but I don't blame you. I also appreciate you standing up for me. I'm not mad or scared of you Y/N.”

“I should have never done that in front of you. I'm sorry, really.”

“It's okay. I promise. Lets stop working tonight, yeah?”

You nod at Lily.

“Yeah. Okay” 

“So about Hogsmeade?”

· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·

You were sitting by the entrance of Hogwarts looking down playing with the matching serpent ring that Regulus had got for you and him a few birthdays ago. 

You've never taken it off.

You were just wearing some plain jeans and a jumper you had stolen from Sirius years ago. You find yourself wearing it when you think you might need moral support and you didn't know why but you felt a need to wear it today.

No matter how hurt you might be from your brothers leaving, you still loved them so much. You didn't necessarily blame them for leaving the house or the family, you just wish they were still with you.

You’re taken out of your thoughts when you hear footsteps coming your way. 

You look up and forget how to breathe for a moment. 

There she was. Lily fucking Evans walking towards you she was wearing a white long sleeve shirt and a plaid skirt it was so simple but she looked amazing.

Why are you feeling like this? Why does it feel like every time you're in her presents you feel like you can't breathe?

You've never felt this way before.

“Hey Y/N ready to go?”

“Yes.”

You felt like your words were stuck in your throat. 

She was just so fucking beautiful. 

You didn't talk much on your walk to Hogsmeade. You were too caught up in your head and Lily had noticed that.

“Are you okay Y/N?”

“Yes, I'm fine. How was your party last night?”

You asked, trying to change the subject. LIly knew what you were doing and she let you get away with it.

“It was actually a lot of fun. It would have been a lot more fun if you were there.”

Lily said, sending you a smile. 

You just rolled your eyes playfully with a small smile of your own, letting Lily go on about the things that happened. She told you everything that had happened as if she didn't want you to feel left out. You didn't realize how much a little act like that could make your heart speed up a bit.

By the time you had gotten to Hogmaede Lily was laughing at a story about something her friend Marlenne had done, you were just smiling. Whether you were smiling at the story or at her laugh you didn't know and you didn't want to think about it. You just wanted to enjoy the time with her.

At some point Lily grabbed your hand holding it as you went through multiple shops, you tried not to pay too much attention to how her hand felt in yours. There were a few disagreements here and there when you insisted on paying for the things she wanted.

She in her words 'didn't want you to waste your money’ and you just responded with ‘it's not a waste if it's you.’

She finally stopped fighting you after you told her that you loved spending money on things you knew your mother and father wouldn't agree with. It was one of your little acts of rebellion. Which was true but a part of you also just wanted to spoil her.. But she didn't have to know that.

By the time you two had gotten back to the castle it was almost dark. You walked Lily to the Gryffindor tower still holding her hand.

“You know you could come in right? They want to see you.”

Lily said, squeezing your hand gently to reassure you.

Since the school year started and you wouldn't talk to Regulus he stopped coming down to the dungeons if he could help it, he started to stay in the Gryffindor tower. So other than the few classes you shared and the occasional glances across the great hall you haven't seen your twin in months.

It killed a part of you but you were still so angry and hurt.

“Me and you both know that's not a good idea.”

You said looking down. Lily was about to disagree when the portrait opened out walking James Potter, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew and last but not least both of your brothers. 

You could hear a pin drop in the corridor outside of the Gryffindor common room.

Sirius and Regulus stare at you without saying a word. No one moves, no one says anything.

You look back at Lily with your jaw clenched and drop her hand, putting your hands in your pockets. You didn't miss the hurt that flashes through her eyes but you didn't focus on it. You just had to get out of there.

“I'll see you later Evans, Yeah?”

You say to Lily mustering up a very small smile at her so she knew you were not upset with her. 

You started to walk away not even acknowledging the presents of anyone else. You do your best to keep walking away ignore the sound of talking down the hall, trying your best to not spare your brothers another glance

You just weren't ready to talk to them and you didn't even know if they actually wanted to talk to you.

So you just continue walking to the dungeons 

· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·

The next day Lily rushed into potions class, saying how sorry she was and explaining that she didn't know that was going to happen. It was all just poor timing.

All you could do was smile at her and reassure her that you didn't blame her.

You knew she wouldn't do something like that to you,

As the days passed by getting closer to the middle of the week you and Lily continued to get closer. You both would still meet up after classes in the library to finish up your project, the project that you both knew you could have finished, days ago.

You were coming to expect that you possibly had feelings for the girl but you knew she most likely just saw you as a friend.

You both were packing up for the night, you had finally finished with your project with two days to spare. It was a bittersweet moment.

“Y/N, what are you doing tonight?”

You looked up confused but you had a spark of hope in your chest.

“Nothing, probably go to my dorm, read, sleep… Why?”

“I have rounds tonight till 8:30. Do you want to meet after?”

“Um.. Okay? Yes, I'd like that. Um where should we meet?”

Lily then gave you one of her breath taking smiles obviously excited that you agreed.

“I'll come get you after I'm down, just meet me in front of the dungeons around 9?”

“Okay, Yeah.”

You were caught off guard when Lily walked over to you and hugged you.

The only people to have hugged you were your brothers and even then it had been years. You didn't know what to do for a moment so after some hesitation you hugged her back.

You felt her relax into you for a moment. You could smell her perfume, Strawberries and vanilla.

You reluctantly pulled away after a moment. You could see a light blush on her face and you couldn't imagine that you were any better.

“I'll see you later Evans.”

You say giving Lily a small smile and walking away with your things in hand.

Once you left the library you all but ran to your dorm. Your thoughts consume you.

That was a friend hug right? It had to be. Lily was just nice like that. Are friend hugs supposed to last that long though? You wouldn't know you wouldn't ever let anyone you were friends with hug you.

So then why did you let Lily hug you?

Why did you want to do it again?

Before you knew it it was 8:55 and you were waiting in front of the dungouse. You were still over thinking the hug.

Why was something so simple as a hug throwing you off? It didn't make sense.

You continued to think while absentmindedly playing with your ring. You were so lost in thought that you didn't even notice Lily till she put her hand on yours, stopping you from fidgeting.

You look at her and smile slightly.

“Where exactly are we going Evans?”

You ask, raising an eyebrow.

“Now why would I tell you that? Come on.”

Lily gave you a smirk and grabbed you hand leading you to wherever she was taking you. You couldn't help but blush at her holding your hand but you didn't pull away or protest it.

You let out a little chuckle when you finally realized where Lily was leading you.

“Really Evans? The astronomy tower? Seems a little cliché doesn’t it?”

You say with a teasing voice all Lily does is roll her eyes at you as you make it to the top of the tower.

When you get there you see that a few blankets and pillows are lying out.

You just blush again and Lily drags you over and has you sit with her in the pile of blankets and pillows.

“So why here?”

You ask leaning back on your hands.

“It’s just one of my favorite places. I like the stars.”

She says with a little shrug.

“Do you know about Cassiopeia?”

You ask, looking at her as she looks into the sky. Lily just shrugs and looks at you.

“Admittedly I’m not very good at astronomy. I would usually have… um Sirius do my work.”

Lily says looking scared that just mentioning your brother will have you running for the hills.

“Cassiopeia was the queen of Ethiopia; she was married to King Cepheus. One day she had angered Poseidon, she claimed that her and her daughter, Andromeda were more beautiful than the daughters of Nereus. So the sea nymphs, Nereids, asked Poseidon to send a monster to destroy King Cepheus's coast. To appease the monster, Cassiopeia and Cepheus chained Andromeda to a rock as a sacrifice, Perseus rescued Andromeda, but Poseidon still punished Cassiopeia, he took her and hung her in the heavens. Cassiopeia sits on her throne, but during part of the year, she appears upside down in the sky.”

Lily looks at you slightly shocked.

“How do you just know that?”

You chuckle and shake your head lightly.

“Evans, I’m a Black. It’s basically a requirement to know about the stars.”

“Okay fine, tell me about that one.”

She says point at a random constellation.

You tell her about every constellation or star she points at for a while, not noticing that the two of you have subconsciously been moving closer and closer. Eventually your shoulders are touching hands brushing against each other every so often. 

“Okay how about that one?”

She pointed at one of the clusters of stars you hoped she wouldn’t have pointed out.

Then again it was bound to happen.

“Canis Major the ‘great dog’ it’s built around Sirius, the Dog Star, the brightest star in the sky.”

You say looking down, playing with the ring on your finger.

There’s a silence for a moment, it’s not awkward but not necessarily comfortable either.

“They miss you, you know?”

Lily says, looking at you.

“I don’t want to talk about this right now.”

You say not looking at her at all.

A part of you knew you couldn’t look at her because if you did you’d tell her anything she wanted to know.

“They really do. Sirius and Regulus ask me how you're doing all the time Y/N.”

Lily says grabbing your hand to stop you from playing with your ring once again.

“Lily please.”

You say looking up at her. 

Your breath gets stuck in your throat for a moment once you realize how close the two of you are.

You're so caught up in the moment, so captivated by the most beautiful pair of green eyes you've ever seen that you didn't even notice.

You didn't even notice that you called her Lily. Not Evans. 

Just Lily.

“You know you have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen?”

Lily says, staring at your eyes.

“Funny. I was thinking the same thing.”

You said with a new found confidence. Lily looks down at your lips for a moment and then you both start to lean in slowly.

“Ooooo naughty naughty.”

You both jump at the sound of the most annoying Poltergeist known to man.

After a few minutes of Lily somehow convincing Peeves to not tell on us for being there. You found yourself walking Lily to the Gryffindor common room hand in hand for the second time in a week.

“I hope you had fun tonight, I’m sorry Peeves kinda ruined the night.”

Lily said, stopping in front of the entrance to her common room.

“It's not your fault. You didn't know he would be there. I still had a good time.”

She just smiled at you, not letting go of your hand. 

“I had a lot of fun too.”

You desperately didn't want the night to end but you didn't know how to express that. You weren't blind you could tell Lily most likely had some kind of feelings for you. There was just a part of you that was still so scared of being rejected or left.

“It's getting late so we should go to bed.”

You say ruining your thumb over her knuckles.

“What if I said I didn't want to go to bed yet?”

Lily said, stepping closer to you. 

You just smile and let out a little sigh looking her in the eyes.

“I would then say that as much as I don't want this night to end, we've already been caught once and it's late, we have class tomorrow and I wouldn't want to see you tired… though under different circumstances I would love to see you tired.”

You say to her while smirking at her with confidence that you didn't know you had.

Lily just looks at you speechless blushing more than you think you've ever seen her before. You then dare to kiss her cheek softly.

“Goodnight, Lily.”

You whisper while sending a small smile towards her, not waiting for a response you start to walk away.

This had been one of the best nights of your life.

 · · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·

Even though you had finished your projects you and Lily found yourselves still meeting in the library after classes leading up to break.

You both had been more affectionate in your own ways, Lily had started bringing you little snacks and water because she thought you didn't eat enough or drink enough water.

You were just constantly holding her hand or hugging her when you got the chance. It didn't go farther than that physically but you two started shamelessly flirting more often.

Finally it was the day before everyone would leave for christmas break you had just turned in your project to Slughorn.

You were gathering your things to leave for the next class when you were hit with an idea.

“Lily, do you want to.. Maybe hang out tonight?”

You asked nervously while a faint blush took over your face. You don't know why you're so nervous. You had hung out with Lily so many times at this point, it should feel normal.

She smiled at you and nodded.

“Yeah. I'd like that.”

“Okay. meet me at the astronomy tower. Around 8?”

“Really Y/N the astronomy tower? How cliché.”

Lily says in a teasing tone.

“Hahaha, just meet me there okay?”

You gave Lily’s hand a little squeeze, sending her a smile.

After classes that day you got together a little picnic basket of all the candies and food that Lily had told you she liked at one point or another. 

You had gone and set everything up so you went back to your dorm to change into your favorite outfit. Finally it was time to meet Lily you found her eventually and smiled at how beautiful she looked.

“So where are we going?”

Lily asked as you walked up to her.

“Wouldn't you like to know?”

You say sending her a small smirk as she rolled her eyes.

“Yes I actually would.”

“You'll find out soon, calm down.”

You say grabbing her hand and leading her up to the third floor of the astronomy tower, you then let go of Lily’s hand walking in front of the blank wall while Lily looks at you curiously. 

Soon the door for the Room of Requirements appears and the look Lily gives you is priceless.

“Is this the Room of Requirement?”

You nod while opening the door for her.

“Yeah. I found it in my third year. It's my own little part of the school, where no one can bother me unless I let them. You're the first person I've brought here.”

The room is full of books and a big fireplace with large comfy couches and a record player with all your favorite records next to it.

Next to the fireplace is the little picnic you had set up. Lily lets out a soft gasp as she sees the set up.

You both sit down and look at each other for a while. It's a soft moment, it feels like you both just needed to take each other in for a moment.

“So it's your last christmas here. Are you going home?”

You ask, taking a bite of a chocolate wand after.

“No. We all decided to stay here for our last christmas. Are you staying?”

“Yes. I'd rather spend Christmas in the dungeons then go back to Grimmauld Place.”

You say shaking your head with a sigh.

“Y/N, I know you try to avoid talking about this but just hear me out and if you don't want to talk about it after, I will leave it be, okay?”

You sigh already knowing where this conversation is going but you decided to hear Lily out anyway. You nod your head letting her know that she can continue.

“You said it yourself. This is mine and Sirius’s last Christmas at Hogwart. This is probably the last chance the three of you have to spend a Christmas together. They miss you Y/N, honestly they do. My sister doesn't talk to me anymore because I'm a witch and I miss her everyday. I don't want to see you go through that. I don't want you to regret not seeing your brother when you had the chance.”

You take a moment to think about it. You already knew if you didnt make up with them soon you'd regret it. Hell you already regretted it. 

You remembered how heartbroken Narcissa was when she found out that Andromeda had a baby. Narcissa knew she would never be able to meet her niece. You didn't want that. You didn't want your brothers to have families and you not be involved. You knew that if you didnt get over this pettiness that there was a large possibility that that was exactly the path you were heading down. 

“Okay. when everyone leaves tomorrow. I'll see them.”

“Really?”

“Yeah Lils. You're right after all. I don't want to not be a part of my brothers’ lives.”

Lily just gives you a hug whispering how proud of you she was.

Lily understood how hard this was for you. She knew you were hurt even if you never flat out said it to her.But it was time for you to get over it before you lost the only family you ever really cared for.

You and Lily spend the rest of the night talking and laughing. For a moment you forget the anxiety that will consume you tomorrow.

You'll be fine. As long as you have Lily by your side you know you'll be fine.

· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·

You waited at the entrance of the Gryffindor common room anxiously playing with the ring on your finger.

Why did you agree to this? Were you really ready to face your brothers? What if they hated you? What if they wanted nothing to do with you?

You were so caught up in your thoughts you didn't even notice your favorite red head till she touched your hands stopping you fidgeting with your ring one again.

You looked up at her, the anxiety obvious on your face. 

“They want to see you. I promise.”

She gives you a comforting smile keeping her hand on yours.

“What if I fuck this up? What if I lose them for good?”

You feel the burning behind your eyes trying not to cry.

“They love you so much Y/N. All you have to do is try.”

You nod, keeping Lily’s hand in yours letting her lead you into the portrait of Elizabeth Spriggs aka ‘The Fat Lady’.

Once you walk into the common room you notice it seems uncharacteristically quiet. 

You look and see two matching sets of gray eyes looking at you. You take a deep breath still trying to hold back the tears.

It's been close to a year since you talked to Sirius, quite a few months since you talked to Regulus.   

“Sirius, Regulus.”

You say in a neutral voice not making eye contact with either of them.

There's a moment of silence and stillness, a part of  you considers running out of the room but before you can act on that though you're being tackled into a hug by your eldest brother. You couldn't help but let a few tears fall as you hold Sirius and you can tell he's crying just the same.

Sirius cups your face with both of hands after a few moments to look at you with tears streaming down his face.

“I'm never letting you go again, you hear? I'm not losing my baby sister again.”

You let out a little sob and hug Sirius again putting your head on his chest.

“Sirius, Y/N why don't we go somewhere with a smaller audience.”

Regulus said in all his stoic glory. 

“Yeah. Regs right. We'll go to my room, alright?”

You give a small nod to Sirius then leads you to his shared dorm room while Regulus follows behind. 

You honestly didn't even notice the other people in the room until Regulus said something.

It wasn't many people, it was just ‘The Marauders’ as they call themselves and Lily but Regulus knew you would be more comfortable with just you three and you knew Regulus felt the same.

Once you get to Sirius room you look at Regulus for the first time in months.

“I’m sorry Regulus. I really am.”

You say trying to hold tears back once again.

“You ignored me. You ignored me for months Y/N.”

You look down ashamed playing with your ring once more.

“I know Regulus and if I could go back I would but I can’t. I was just hurt. Sirius left and that hurt so fucking much but at least I had you. Then you left, and I understand why you did but then I was just by myself. It nearly killed me to be alone with mother and father.”

You said taking a deep breath.

“I told you to come with me. Why didn’t you come?”

Regulus said with so much hurt in his voice it felt like someone ripped your heart out.

“I was afraid. I was afraid that I was too much like them. That if I would have gone, I would have tainted whatever good you made for yourselves.”

“You are nothing like them. Neither of you are. I made sure of that. Y/N if you were like them you wouldn’t be friends with Lily and Regulus if you were you would have never reached out for help.”

Sirius says while holding you against him once again.

“I really am sorry Reg.”

You look up at regulus with your tear stained face.

Regulus’s eyes softened and before you knew it, Regulus had taken you from Sirius arms and hugged you tighter than you had ever been hugged before but you didn’t mind.

You both cried into each other's arms for the first time in years. 

Sirius hugged both of you and for a moment you just sat there in your brother's arms enjoying every second of it.

“So, you and Lily huh?”

Sirius says in a teasing voice. You pushed him away and glared at him.

“Shut up.”

You say with a slight pout. Regulus and Sirius just give each other a knowing look as you roll your eyes and scoff.

“I hate you both. Did you know that?”

“Nah, you love us too much baby sister.”

Sirius says ruffling your hair as you swat his hands away.

“Wait. Is that my jumper?”

“… No. You’re crazy. The Black Family Madness is catching up with you Siri.”

Sirius and you start to argue as if no time had passed. Regulus just smiles at you two feeling grateful to have this back.

You spend the rest of the break with your brothers mostly but also with the marauders and Lily.

You got to know them all. 

You took a liking to Remus quickly bonding over your favorite books.

You and Peter got along well enough playing chess together often, since he would insist on rematches because you would continuously beat him.

James admittedly was harder not that you didn’t like him but a part of you had blamed him for Sirius leaving for so long that it was hard to get past that and it showed. It wasn't until christmas eve when James had pulled you aside for a moment when you felt yourself grow comfortable with him.

“You know, you don't have to go back there right?”

“What do you mean Potter?”

You looked at him with raised eyebrows as he sat next to you on the couch you were now occupying. 

“You don't have to go back to Grimmauld Place. You could be with your brothers again, I already wrote mum and dad. They said they'd be more than happy to have another Black join the Potters. I mean what's another one, yeah?”

James said with a small smile, lightly bumping your shoulder with his.

“Are you sure? I don't-”

“Yes. I know. You don't want to over step or be a burden and I know you don't think you deserve it, but you do. Merlin's beard, you and your brother are just the same. I will never understand the treatment your parents put the three of you through. But what I do know is that you three deserve good things in your lives. You deserve so much more than what your parents put you through. You are worth so much more than what they made you believe you were. You deserve to be loved, to be safe and to be happy. Y/N you will always have a home with us, plus… I've always wanted a little sister.”

You didn't say anything, you just hugged James and nodded your head.

Off to the side watching the interaction between you and James was your brothers, for the first time in years Regulus and Sirius knew the three of you would be safe and they couldn't be happier.

They liked seeing you interact with the people that they’ve grown close with and getting to see you actually happy every so often was just a bounce. 

But your brothers weren’t the only ones who liked it. 

Lily loved seeing you interact with all of them. 

You seemed so alive.

She’d never seen you act like that with anyone but her. She loved seeing you smile and laugh. She loved seeing you and your brothers truly happy.

This was her favorite Christmas so far.

You had made it her favorite Christmas.

· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·

You felt better than you had in months, no, years. 

You had your brothers back and for the first time in years. The three of you were getting along and you knew you would finally be safe.

You also knew it was because of Lily as well. 

She was the fire in your darkness, she gave you light, warmth and she felt so happy and safe.

Everything felt good for once. But if you knew anything, you knew that wasn't going to last.

“You don't actually think she loves you do you?”

You turn to see none other than Severus Snape leaning by the entrance to the dungeons. You raise your eyebrow at him questioningly. 

You don't really talk to Snape unless it was necessary you never really liked him or the company he kept in recent years. So for him to start any conversion with you was rare.

“What are you on about Snape?”

“Lily.”

He states as if it's obvious.

“What about Lily?”

Your interest obviously peaked at hearing the name of your favorite Gryffindor.

“She'll never love you. She loves Potter.”

He says in a monotone voice. You scoff rolling your eyes. 

“I don't know why I'm bothering with this nonsense.”

You turn to walk away muttering to yourself. 

“She and Potter kissed, you know. The other week, at a Hufflepuff party. I saw them. Potter has been pining for Lily since our first year. It seems he finally got what he was after.”

You stood there shocked, confused, frozen with your jaw now clenched. 

That couldn't be true. Lily wouldn't do that and if she did she'd tell you right? I mean you were… whatever you are, right?

And James wouldn't do that. He had all but flat out asked you to be his sister.

Snape was lying, he had to be. He was spreading lies about Lily. He just had to be. You wouldn't stand for that. You felt ‘The Madness’ creep in once again.

In one swift motion you had Snape pinned against the wall with your wand pointed at his neck. 

“You will not speak of Lily again. You will not look at her, speak to her. You will not breathe the same air as her and if you do. I will kill you. Do I make myself clear?”

You say with murderous eyes. 

Snape would never admit it but he was scared. He's only ever seen you as cold, emotionless. This was far from emotionless. 

“Crystal.”

Snape said, trying to hide his emotions as best as he could. 

You walk away without another glance stuck in your head. 

He had to be lying right? But why would he lie? Nothing made sense. Maybe he wasn't lying.

Stupid. You were so fucking stupid.

How could you think someone like Lily Evans would like someone like you. 

Lily brings life to everything she touches, she was sweet, caring, kind she was fucking perfect.

You were a Black, enough said.

You were angry, mean, rude, it was in your blood to ruin everything you touch. 

It wasn't her fault that you thought you might actually have a chance, that you developed a stupid crush, it was your fault for being stupid enough to think that it was ever a possibility.

I mean maybe you and Lily were just friends. Maybe you misunderstood?

You couldn't blame her but that didn't mean it hurt less. 

The first person you started putting your walls down for the first time in years obviously didn't care about you the way you cared for her. 

So you did what you did best when people would hurt you.

You avoided and ignored her. You managed to avoid Lily for a few days skipping potions class, leaving the library when you would see her walk in. 

Sirius was quickly getting irritated with your antics. He had been pestering you as to why you were avoiding Lily but you wouldn’t tell him or Regulus. 

If they knew she would find out.

So you just kept avoiding her and avoiding answering any questions your brothers would ask.

Eventually she found you and tried to talk to you which led to you ignoring her. It killed you to see the look on her face but it was necessary to protect yourself. You tried to convince yourself that it would be easier after a week. 

It wasn't.

For either of you apparently. 

Lily had managed to find you in the library while you were looking for a book to distract yourself with. You had put your guard down for a moment. You didn't even know she was there till she spoke.

“Y/N.”

She had said to gain your attention, when you realized there wasn't anywhere for you to go you decided to just get it over with to stop avoiding your problems for the first time in your life. 

You rolled your eyes and sighed looking at her for the first time in a week.

“What the hell do you want Evens? Shouldn't you be with your boyfriend, Potter?”

You say to Lily in a monotone voice looking her in the eyes.

“What are you talking about? I'm not dating James, I don't want him!”

You felt all the anger and insecurity start to cloud your brain. She was lying. How dare she lie to you. You were damned if you were made a fool once again. 

“You're such a liar Evans. Snape told me everything about how Potter has been pining for you for years! How he saw you two kiss at the Hufflepuff party! I can't believe I was stupid enough to believe you'd actually like me. I can't believe I was stupid enough to think Potter would actually look at me as a sister.”

You whisper yelled with your jaw clenched while the back of your eyes burned trying to hold back tears. 

“Me and James didn’t kiss I swear-”

You scoff, turning to walk away deciding you were done with this conversation, but Lily grabbed you by the arm, tapping you against the bookshelf.

“I didn't kiss James.He's a great friend but nothing more to me, and he does care for you, I know he does. But I don't want him, I want you. I've wanted you since the first time I laid eyes on you. I love everything about you. I love how loyal you are, how even if you didn’t talk to your brother you'd never let anyone speak ill of them. How despite being raised to hate someone like me you never held something as stupid as my blood statutes against me. I love how smart you are. How you cover your smile when you laugh. How your eyes light up when youre reading a book you enjoy. How when you get anxious you play with your ring. Everything. Can’t you see that?”

You searched her eyes trying to see if there was any lie, but all you saw was the truth. She meant every word and it scared you. 

Lily then cupped your cheek wiping away a tear you didn't know was there.

“Why would you want me? I'm cold, rude, cynical and angry all the time. I'm not a great person...”

Lily scoffs playfully while smiling.

“You're no angel but you’re my everything Y/N. To me you light up the room, you don't take shit from anyone, you stand up for what you believe and I hope you'll never change. You showed me that I'm enough. I'll never stop wanting you. I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.”

Lily whispers the last part brushing her nose against yours.

“What if I hurt you?”

You whisper your voice breaking a little.

“You'll probably hurt me a few times and I'll probably hurt you a few times but that's okay as long as we work it out together, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

The anger and insecurity finally unclouding your brain letting you take in how close you two are. 

Lily's hand is still cupping your cheek while her other hand is on your hip pressing you slightly in the bookshelf while she's pressed against you.

Lily's eyes flicker down to your lips and you nod softly letting her know it was okay. 

You both lean in, your lips touching for the first time.

You felt warmth go through your whole body. It was beyond a spark or fireworks. It felt as if a bomb had been dropped on you. 

That kiss broke something in you. 

But it wasn't bad. 

It had broken down every wall that you spent years building up brick by brick. 

In just a moment Lily Evans had managed to do something to you, that you and so many other people thought impossible. 

She healed a part of you. 

Her lips were so soft they felt like silk against yours. 

It felt like she was made to be with you.

It's soft and sweet, at first. Then it felt consuming. She was all around you and you didn't want it to be any other way. 

You could only feel her, her hand squeezing your hip as your hand was on the back of her head pulling her closer. 

You could only smell her cherry and vanilla perfume. It made you dizzy with how intoxicating it was.

You had forgotten that you were in public for a moment that was until you heard a throat clear. 

Both of you pulling away with hot faces you look to see a very amused and smirking Remus Lupin. 

“Finally. I was afraid neither of you would ever actually make a move. Just wait till Sirius hears about this.”

You groan, throwing your head back against the bookcase while Remus and Lily laugh at your expense. 

You never expected for anyone to be able to break down your walls, to fall for someone. 

Especially not someone like Lily. 

But fuck were you happy that she did.

⨯ . ⁺ ✦ ⊹ ꙳ ⁺ ‧ ⨯. ⁺ ✦ ⊹ . * ꙳

[regulusmoonbeam]

tumblr i have a job for you.

i made a list of marauders eras characters, im so far at 44

i need you all to check it over and tell me if its ALL of them

ALL MINOR AND SIDE CHARACTERS

ok heres the list

James Potter

Sirius Black

Remus Lupin

Peter Pettigrew

Lily Evans

Mary MacDonald

Marlene McKinnon

Dorcas Meadowes

Pandora Rosier

Alice Fortescue

Frank Longbottom

Evan Rosier

Barty Crouch Jr

Regulus Black

Bellatrix Black

Andromeda Black

Narcissa Black

Severus Snape

Molly Prewett

Arthur Weasley

Fabian Prewett

Gideon Prewett

Xenophillius Lovegood

Rita Skeeter

Lucius Malfoy

Rodolphus Lestrange

Rabastan Lestrange

Ted Tonks

Amos Diggory

Hestia Jones

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Emmeline Vance

Gilderoy Lockhart

Edmund Avery

Bruce Mulciber

Sybill Trelawney

Alecto Carrow

Amycus Carrow

Antonin Dolohov

Dolores Umbridge

Petunia Evans

Aurora Sinistra

Charity Burbage

Amelia Bones

LOCK IN CHAT

[sweetblinginrose]

stay away from me, lestrange!

(Neville Longbottom x fem¡OCLestrange)

warnings: It mentions torture, death, bullying, abuse, evil, actions without consent, obligations, distress, 0anic attack…

words: 3,5k

a/n: it’s a bit of an introduction, sorry, the good stuff is coming, i promise.

my main language is not English.

masterlist previous chapt. next

━━ ✧♡✧ ━━ ✧♡✧ ━━ ✧♡✧ ━━

Chapter three: Devil Snare

The years passed in the blink of an eye, and with each one, Morwenna seemed to transform before the eyes of those around her. Her character, once curious and somewhat naïve, began to take on an unmistakable air of haughtiness. She walked through the halls of Hogwarts with her head held high, her confident steps echoing with the same arrogance her cousin Draco and his entourage exuded. To many, there was no doubt she was a Lestrange: pure blood and ambition flowed through her veins, or at least that’s what her demeanor and behavior suggested.

However, what few suspected was that behind that arrogant façade lay a far more complex truth. Morwenna wasn’t truly like Draco or his friends; she didn’t entirely share their disdain for others or their apparent certainty in the supremacy of purebloods. But she had learned to play that role with unsettling mastery.

Draco’s influence had been inevitable. From the moment she arrived at Malfoy Manor, she had been exposed to his worldview, his taunts, his biting remarks, and the camaraderie he shared with his group. Crabbe and Goyle would laugh at anything Draco said, and Pansy Parkinson looked at her with a feigned respect that always felt uncomfortable. Morwenna, though initially distant, soon realized that keeping her distance was a dangerous option. So, she decided to adapt.

She became an actress in her own life. She pretended to laugh at Draco’s cruel remarks, even though they often made her stomach churn. She mimicked his arrogant tone when they spoke about other students, though in her mind she questioned every word. Her façade was flawless: the proud cousin of Draco Malfoy, a young Lestrange who didn’t hesitate to assert her place in the magical world.

But at night, when the castle fell silent and the masks faded, Morwenna faced herself. Sometimes she recalled the words of Andromeda, her true mentor, about right and wrong, and she wondered if she was betraying everything she had once been taught. Yet, she also thought of the pressure from the Malfoy family, of Narcissa’s expectations, and of Lucius’s cold, calculating gaze. Pretending to be someone she wasn’t had become her only means of survival.

Despite her façade, there were moments when her true nature surfaced. When she saw a first-year student trip and become the target of ridicule, her first instinct was to help, though she quickly suppressed the impulse to avoid appearing weak. In classes, she excelled in magic, but she preferred to downplay her achievements to avoid drawing too much attention. Everything was carefully calculated, every move part of a delicate balance between maintaining her façade and preserving a shred of her true self.

The arrogance she projected was armor—armor that shielded her from judgment, rejection, and, above all, the possibility that someone might discover she was not, and never would be, entirely a Lestrange like her parents or as Draco wanted her to be.

It was an ordinary day in Morwenna’s second year at Hogwarts, and the castle corridors were bustling with students rushing about, chatting and laughing. Morwenna, however, walked in silence, her gaze cast down, lost in her own thoughts. Her mind wandered between her pending assignments and Draco’s latest remarks when, suddenly, a jarring collision snapped her out of her reverie.

A student had bumped into her, and before she could react, all her belongings tumbled to the floor with a clatter—quills, parchments, and an enormous Potions book that landed squarely on her foot.

“For Merlin’s sake!” Morwenna cried, gritting her teeth as a sharp pain shot through her big toe. Instinctively, she bent down, clutching her foot, and let out a muttered curse. “Who in the name of—?!”

Looking up, her eyes locked with those of Neville Longbottom, who stood frozen in front of her, his face red with embarrassment and his hands trembling.

“Of course, a useless klutz. Who else could it be?” Morwenna snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm and anger as she leaned down to rub her aching foot. Her tone was laced with contempt, and the hateful glare she shot upward could have made anyone shrink back.

Neville seemed to shrink under the weight of her words at first, but something in his expression shifted almost immediately. For a fleeting moment, he had stepped forward, reaching out a hand to help her, as he often did even with those who didn’t deserve it. But then reality struck him like lightning.

Lestrange.

The name echoed bitterly in his mind, conjuring memories of his parents and that night—the night they were tortured into madness by Bellatrix Lestrange. The initial empathy in his eyes vanished, replaced by an anger rarely seen in him.

“Stupid idiot, get out of my sight,” Morwenna spat coldly, still rubbing her sore foot. Neville, without a word, quickly gathered his things and walked away. But this time, it wasn’t the timid, submissive retreat many expected from him. His jaw was set, and his fists were clenched tightly.

As he moved away, Neville muttered something under his breath, low enough that Morwenna couldn’t hear. It was rare for him to curse anyone, even those who treated him cruelly, but this time he couldn’t stop himself. Just being near her, someone bearing that name, churned his stomach.

The small moments of hatred, both big and small, accumulated over the months and years, like a poisonous spiral that only fed on their mutual contempt. Every time they crossed paths in the hallways, the air would thicken with hostility. Their exchanges of words were always sharp, and their glances were like poisoned knives. It seemed as if they both lived to ruin each other’s day with nothing more than their presence.

It was Morwenna’s third year, and, to her misfortune, they shared a Transfiguration class. The moment Neville arrived late, as was his custom, he had no choice but to sit in front of her. A gesture that, of course, caused an almost malicious smile to spread across Morwenna’s face.

She knew that day would be entertaining. As Professor McGonagall began the lesson, Morwenna had already begun to plot her little revenge. With a subtle and discreet spell, she cast a clumsiness jinx on Neville, hoping to watch him stumble once more under her influence. And as expected, the poor boy did everything he could to perform the spell assigned to them, but only managed to make a fool of himself in front of the class, drawing laughter from his classmates and a stern look from McGonagall.

Morwenna couldn’t help but chuckle quietly, though she did so loudly enough for Neville to hear. Pansy, sitting beside her, also let out a mocking laugh as she watched the boy sink deeper into ridicule.

While McGonagall was busy correcting another student, Morwenna seized the opportunity to make her move. She leaned slightly forward, without moving from her seat, and, with her arm extended, gave Neville’s shoulder a friendly squeeze before quickly slipping a note torn from a parchment into his hands. The note, covered in animated scribbles, read: “Your wand must be broken, because even the simplest spell doesn’t know what to do with your clumsiness.” The note was accompanied by a cruel cartoon of Neville being singed by his own spell, a drawing sure to make anyone who read it laugh. The laughter behind Neville only made him feel more humiliated.

“Your ability to cast spells is so weak that even your frog could learn faster than you,” Morwenna whispered with a twisted smile, as she slowly withdrew, returning to her seat as if nothing had happened. As she sat back down, she watched Neville from over the edge of her desk, seeing the red color creeping up his neck. However, she didn’t care. For her, watching him sink into shame was a small personal pleasure, and the day couldn’t have gone better.

Although her smile still lingered on her face, something inside her tormented her. A small but persistent knot in her stomach slowly began to form as she watched Neville wipe his sleeve across his face, an involuntary gesture that betrayed what he was probably trying to hide: a tear that had escaped. The relief she had felt from seeing his humiliation faded for a moment, replaced by an uncomfortable sensation that she couldn’t quite identify.

Morwenna’s smile slowly dissolved, turning into a strange, almost imperceptible grimace, which she tried to mask by keeping her eyes fixed on her desk. She didn’t want to look at anyone, not even Pansy, who was still laughing beside her. A cold unease settled in her chest, something she had never experienced before in the midst of such a clear victory. Why, after all, did it bother her to see Neville like this?

She glanced at her notebook, but the words seemed blurry. The knot in her stomach was still there, growing, as if what she had just done had left a mark that couldn’t be easily erased. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, trying to shake off that uncomfortable feeling that didn’t seem to align with the person she was trying to be.

In the last term of their third year, Neville and Morwenna shared the same Divination class, which made it an experience Morwenna always enjoyed.

Professor Trelawney moved from student to student, asking about their visions, and Morwenna seized the moment when attention was diverted from her to slip silently to Neville’s side. No one heard her approach.

“Are you sure you can see anything in that ball, Longbottom?” she whispered, her tone sharp as a dagger, but loud enough for some of the nearby students to hear.

Neville looked up, confused and annoyed. “Go back to your disgusting seat, I don’t need any opinions, especially not yours.”

“Of course you don’t,” she continued, a flash of malice in her eyes. “Because all I see there is a dark future. A future where you become a great wizard? I don’t think so. More like one where you’re still the laughingstock of everyone, right?”

The group of nearby students couldn’t help but laugh at her remark. Neville’s face turned red, and his gaze immediately dropped to the table, feeling the weight of their laughter on him.

Morwenna didn’t let the moment slip by without adding her final touch of poison. “Aren’t you ashamed, Neville? You’re so lost that not even your visions of the future can save you.”

The laughter grew among the students. Neville trembled slightly, his nervous hands gripping the crystal ball as if it were his only anchor in the world.

At that moment, Professor Trelawney, with her large glasses and dreamy gaze, approached their group. “What’s going on here, Morwenna? Aren’t you learning about the true magic of the future?”

Morwenna feigned surprise, placing a hand on her chest theatrically. “Oh, professor, I’m just giving Neville a little… inspiration, so he can see what’s ahead of him. After all, he has so much to learn.”

Neville looked to Trelawney, seeking help, but the professor didn’t seem to notice the cruel tone in Morwenna’s words, lost in her own esoteric thoughts.

“Interesting,” murmured Trelawney, oblivious to the harm. “Perhaps that’s an omen of what’s to come, Neville. Trust your intuition.”

Morwenna returned to her seat with a victorious smile, knowing that, once again, she had left her mark. Although Trelawney continued speaking about the future, Morwenna knew she had won: Neville wouldn’t be able to shake off that bitter taste, and the whispers among the other students would confirm that everyone knew what she had done.

As the end of the school year approached and her fourth year began, Morwenna had solidified herself as one of the most admired Slytherins at all of Hogwarts. Her beauty, a blend of features inherited from the Blacks and the Lestranges, made her stand out in any crowd, but it was her ability to manipulate situations to her advantage that made her truly dangerous. While she possessed a natural charisma, that was just one facet of her complexity. No one could deny that, despite her cold facade, she had the ability to adapt and win the sympathy of those around her.

The boys, especially the older ones, seemed to fall at her feet. Many of the sixth and seventh years sought her attention, inviting her to stroll through Hogsmeade or simply spend time with her, hoping for something more than just companionship. They were shrewd, manipulative, and Morwenna, with her growing confidence, often fell into their traps. She knew how to take advantage of others, but she also understood that in this game, the more experienced players sometimes held the upper hand.

On the fourth day of the new year, as the first leaves of autumn fell outside, Morwenna received an invitation to meet in the library. A boy from a higher year had asked her to meet him that night, under the pretense of studying together. The chosen location was discreet and secluded, in the G section of books, right in a hidden corner that couldn’t be seen from the librarian’s desk. The library, that sanctuary of knowledge, thus became the perfect setting for what she thought would be a simple study session, or at least, that’s what she wanted to believe.

The boy, with dark hair and bright eyes, seemed like an excellent opportunity for Morwenna: someone with more experience in everything, someone who could teach her something useful for her studies. She thought that, as in many other situations, she could use this to her advantage. However, what she didn’t know was that, as she entered that dark and secluded corner of the library, she wasn’t just walking toward a study of potions or spells—she was also walking directly into the lion’s den.

Morwenna, with a mix of nervousness and curiosity, slowly approached the section of the library where the boy had said they would meet. The books on Divination and Herbology, subjects that had always been difficult for her, felt slightly heavy in her hands, but she couldn’t shake the faint shiver running through her as she thought that perhaps something more than studying would happen that night. The seventh-year boy, one of the most popular with a captivating gaze, was someone she had never imagined she would find herself in this kind of situation with. Yet, there he was, in a secluded corner of the library, during the late hours reserved for students.

When she saw him, she blushed instantly. He, with his tall frame and dark hair, greeted her in a confident tone. “How’s it going, little one?” he asked, his voice soft but carrying a certain authority. His flawless, almost arrogant features only added to the tension building in the air. With an unexpected gesture, he hugged her, rubbing his hand firmly against her back. Morwenna stiffened, unsure of what to do, while the blush on her face deepened. The hug was warm, but something in the way he held her, possessively, made her feel an odd discomfort that she tried to ignore.

Placing the books on the table, Morwenna tried to focus on studying. “So, what is it that…?” she began to say, but couldn’t finish the sentence.

Suddenly, the boy moved closer to her, his presence overwhelming. In the blink of an eye, he trapped her between him and the low table, his face so close that his warm breath mingled with hers. Before she could react, his lips attacked hers with a passion that completely took her by surprise. Morwenna couldn’t help the shock and fear that flooded her as her hands, still gripping the books, fell to the side. The sensation of her body trapped between him and the table made her feel vulnerable, as though she had no way out.

The kiss, deep and unexpected, left her breathless, and though she initially tried to pull away, something inside her kept her frozen, feeling a confusing mix of emotions.

The young man stood close to Morwenna, his presence enveloping her in a mixture of nervousness and excitement. Every gesture, every glance, seemed to take Morwenna's breath away, who slowly began to relax, letting herself be carried away by the illusion of an eternal and pure adolescent love. However, her dreams vanished when, with a firm hand, the boy pushed her towards the desk, forcing her to give in and settle on its edge. A faint rustle accompanied the advance of lips and curious hands exploring her skin, melting into a whirlwind of confused sensations.

Morwenna, in the midst of emotional turbulence, searched desperately for a foothold, but her hands wandered aimlessly, finally stopping at the sides of her own thighs, mute witnesses to her bewilderment. It wasn't until she felt the boy's hands ascend her legs, defying boundaries and intimacies, that the thread of her reality began to fray.

The young woman was startled to notice her skirt being lifted, revealing the suggestive skin of her thighs and causing her stockings to slip slightly in a dangerous game. Uncomfortable and confused, Morwenna parted her lips from the boy's, only to be silenced by a rough grip over her mouth, accompanied by a grin full of mischief on the young man's face.

"What do you think you're doing, let go of me!" exclaimed Morwenna in a trembling voice, trying to free herself from the suffocating pressure echoing in her chest. The boy, in response, continued with invasive gestures, sliding his playful fingers into the lace of her panties, causing Morwenna to feel an overwhelming sense of vulnerability and helplessness.

The situation became increasingly distressing as the agitated struggling made the ancient wood of the desk creak, accompanied by the sound of Morwenna's wrenching resistance. Desperate attempts to push the boy away culminated in a pleading cry, interrupted by a painful grip on his face.

"Stop! No more!" whispered Morwenna between sobs, as the boy persisted in his advance, moving his exploring hands into forbidden territories and causing a shiver of terror to run down the young woman's spine. With a violent gesture, the boy pulled her tightly to him, making her feel the unwanted brush of his body against hers, unleashing a torrent of anxiety and fear that vibrated in the tension-laden air.

And at the height of Morwenna's despair, when all seemed lost in the abysmal darkness of helplessness, a powerful incantation resounded in the silence of the library, uttered with determination.

"Depulso!"

The word, uttered by Neville with a tone that cut through the air like lightning, triggered an explosive reaction. The boy stalking Morwenna was thrown backwards violently, impacting painfully against the library table and causing books and scrolls to tumble tumultuously in its crashing trajectory.

Morwenna, overwhelmed by a mixture of fear and relief, clung to her books as if they were her only lifeline. Her wrinkled and soiled clothes reminded her of the violence of what had happened, forcing her to escape into a silence laden with anguish and grief. As she left the library, Neville looked at the much older boy with disgust.

After that incident, something changed in Morwenna. From that day on, she avoided looking Neville in the eye. There was something in his gaze, a sense of discomfort that took hold of her every time he was near. She no longer spoke a single cruel word to him, not even one of those biting remarks that had once been her signature. Instead, she distanced herself from him, seeking refuge in anything that could offer her a little peace, as if his presence had become something that caused her shame. She hid behind her friends, especially her cousin Draco, seeking comfort in his closeness to avoid facing the growing unease she felt whenever she crossed paths with the boy who, unintentionally, had shown a vulnerability that had left her disarmed.

This change, though subtle at first, was profound. Morwenna took refuge in a façade of flirting, a temporary escape that gave her a sense of power and control. She sought attention from boys, not just from those in her magical circle, but also from Muggles who lived near her Aunt Andromeda’s house. She threw herself into those small interactions, those gestures of affection and desire, believing that somehow, they made her feel better. She felt the need to be seen, to be wanted, for her worth not to depend solely on the image others had of her, but on the attention she could attract around her.

Morwenna, like many teenagers who don’t know how to deal with their insecurities, became dependent on those small doses of external approval. She seemed like a confident girl, but the truth was that her need to be loved was leading her to an even greater emptiness, a constant search for validation that she could never completely satisfy. Despite being surrounded by boys who admired her, by that superficial interest, something was still missing—a hole inside her that the compliments from others couldn’t fill.

tags

@iyearnyouu @dopetrashlawyerdeputy-blog @potterblog @lazybitch06 @hanihoney88 @certainyouththing @sarawoweeee @20bombshell04 @scretlololok @staygold162 @that-crazy-skz-stan-uwu @shilphy87

[itspointydumbass]

My Problems With Veilguard

I've put up a lot of positivity, but I'm getting further in and I have. Issues. Under the cut because not everyone is gonna want to read negativity.

I don't know how to explain it, but getting further into Veilguard, I still like it, but it's just like. I don't know. It's fine. It's fun. But I don't feel satisfied the way I wanted to. There's a lot of lore I feel is missing, a lot of loose ends that aren't getting tied up because they only carried over, like, three of my choices. The more I'm playing the more I feel like I should be wearing a full clown outfit because I waited ten years for this game and the moments that make me feel something (which I've posted about - Minrathous vs. Treviso, Bellara's backstory etc.) are getting outnumbered by intense disappointment. There's a lot of backpedalling going on here and yet I still feel like I need to defend it because the problems with this game have very little to do with being "woke" like some people are claiming. I have to be 20x more invested in this game than I actually am because a lot of the comments are just wah wah it's woke and that. Isn't the problem.

The romances feel bland. I enjoy slow-burn, but it's going at an absolute glacial speed, and it's actually painful.

I barely feel connected to any of the characters. They all got these really interesting introductions, only to fall flat on their faces and be pretty bland from there on out. I think part of the reason is that you can't talk to them out of your Regularly Scheduled Cutscenes. In Inquisition and Origins, you were able to have these off-the-cuff conversations that made the world feel more real and lived-in. You could ask questions of your companions, could agree with them, could disagree with them, could gain or lose approval from your chats. In this game, outside the cutscenes, all you get is them talking to each other. Rook is a spectator to their chats, and it makes me feel disconnected from them.

I'm being handheld through certain parts of the story. Taash's story has so much potential, but at this point I feel like I'm being spoon-fed explanations. Instead of working through a character's story, I'm being told what non-binary means. Over and over again. Again, there's so much potential! Their relationship with their mother, with their culture, with their gender could have been handled so well, but so far it's falling flat.

I know not everyone likes the dialogue wheel, but I always have. Maybe it's the neurodivergence in me, but give me too many choices and I start to agonise a little. I like the fact they've brought back the DA2-style Purple!Hawke sort of responses. I like still having things from Inquisition, like the sad responses and the stoic responses and so on and so forth. Gives a bit more personality to Rook. But some of the replies are just... the same reply in different fonts? Is it just me? Like. Huh???????????

The stakes. Every time the tension gets ramped up, it somehow manages to fall flat again. I'm left with a feeling of that's it? every. Single. Time.

I don't know. I just feel very little need to continue with the game. It's been out for more than two weeks and I still haven't finished it. I've played Stardew Valley 1.6 more than I've played Veilguard. And I'm really pissed because I WANT to like it more. I want to feel more than this is fine about a series I really, really love. But I felt more connected to ANDROMEDA than this. Andromeda had issues, but it wasn't pacing issues and it wasn't nearly as. Just. Dull.

I don't know. Ten years, folks. Ten years.

[sarafangirlart]

It's so funny how Perseus vs Dionysus is basically Wife guy n°1 vs wife guy n°2.

Both wife guys being also a mommy's boys 😂.

I mean, yes Dionysus grew up without his mom but you don't punish a family who badmouths your mom like Dionysus did without earning the mommy's boy title. And freak points.

Perseus with Danae is self-explanatory, I don't need to add anything.

(now I'm wondering if Andromeda and Ariadne met. And if they chatted or whatnot).

Plus the son of Zeus thing and the difficult childhoods and we get all these similarities... and yet they hated each other at the start. Idk that's funny.

Honestly this is why I’m salty ppl only remember Perseus for Medusa, he has such a long and rich history yet ppl focus on this one story.

[whats-her-quirk]

Secret Oath Chapter 5

last || m.list || next

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marco bott x fem!reader

18+ mdni

word count: 5k

chapter warnings: mentions of underage drinking, sexual innuendo, brief bi panic, reader sits in a shopping cart and conditions her hair

a/n: made it in just under the 2 year mark with a new update. guys...

♪ farewell andromeda (welcome to my morning) by john denver

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When you’re not chasing grade schoolers from place to place, there are only so many things to do at camp. After hiking, swimming, reading, and just generally hanging out around a campfire in your free time, you tend to get a little desperate for a change of pace. With a little planning ahead, Ymir has secured everybody a night off for a Wal-Mart trip, and by the end of a long week, the idea of hitting up the only nearby grocery store is genuinely as exciting as a ticket to Disneyland.

Camp Shiganshina is at least fifteen square miles from anywhere, so walking to town is out of the question. You spend dinnertime trying to figure out the carpool situation, and it turns out not everyone is coming along. Bertholdt twisted his ankle playing basketball, so he’s staying in the cabin for rest, ice, compression, and elevation on Nanaba’s orders. Eren and Mikasa also decline for unknown reasons, but they’re always weird like that, and only Jean seems disappointed. That leaves seven of you, and there’s only one vehicle in the parking lot that can fit that many passengers.

Erwin is surprisingly chill with the idea of letting you borrow the company van. “Why take two cars when you can all fit in there?” he reasoned when you, Reiner, and Hitch went to ask him together. “There’s no sense wasting your gas, and you’ll be safer if you all stick together.”

“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll make sure everybody’s taken care of,” says Reiner, flexing so hard you hear a thread snap in his t-shirt.

Erwin laughs, big and exuberant and sincere. “Of course! You have my trust.”

After running back to the cabin to toss your wallet and other necessities in a bag, you meet in the parking lot outside the mess hall. Erwin and Miche are leaning against the front of the van chatting while everyone loads up. Hitch dances her way over to them, holding out a hand to Erwin. “Keys, please!”

Erwin dangles a keychain as old as the vehicle itself above her palm before quirking a thick brow at her. “You are not to go over 55 miles per hour on the state route. You are not to exceed 35 on the side roads. And everyone wears their seatbelts. Understood?”

Perhaps startled by his serious tone, Hitch dials herself back. “Yes, sir.” He smiles and nods as he drops the keys in her hand, and she scuttles away to the driver’s seat.

Miche nudges you with his elbow. “Will you text me when you get there safe?”

You roll your eyes, hiding how sweet you find it. “Whatever, dad.” He makes a face at you. You stick out your tongue.

“Hey loser, you got bitch seat,” Ymir calls for you out the sliding door of the van.

You whirl around. “Historia is the smallest, why can’t she sit in the back?”

“We drew straws or something, I don’t know. Got a problem with that?” You’re used to the sass, but when she nods her head to the back of the van, it clicks. Marco and Jean sit on opposite ends of the third row bench seat—of course the middle is reserved for you.

You squeeze your way between the two bucket seats in the middle row, making sure to step and lean on Ymir as much as possible as you climb over her, just to be annoying. Tucking your bag between your feet, you manage to wedge yourself between the boys, shoulder to shoulder.

“Cozy,” you chuckle.

Jean reaches for the handle above the side window, making a little more space between you. “It’s not that far, at least.”

You pat behind both hips looking for your seat belt before you realize Marco is sitting on it. You start to reach for it, freezing only inches from his ass. “Uh, Marco. Can you scoot—”

Marco looks down where your leg is pressed against his. “Oh yeah! Uh…”

He twists as far as he can, already buckled, trying to lift his hip out of your way. You reach under him quickly, but your knuckles definitely drag across his back pocket. You click your buckle and then sit stiff as a board, hyper-aware of the fact that you fully touched his butt.

“Jesus Christ,” Jean mutters, sending you and Marco into a fit of laughter as Hitch backs out of the parking spot.

The first several minutes of the drive are spent messing with the music. Ymir shouts for Reiner to switch over to the radio, but every time he tries, it switches itself back to the tape deck after a few seconds. The cassette won’t eject, so your options are a John Denver single or silence.

“Leave it, this is a great song!” Historia begs. Neither Ymir nor Reiner will say no to her, but at least it’s Take Me Home Country Roads.

You’re a little embarrassed at first, but Marco nudges you after the first chorus. “Come on, I know you know the words. Everybody knows this song!”

You can feel your cheeks burning. “You just wanna make me sing.”

“Maybe I do.”

Historia is already singing, and when you start, so does Marco. Jean pipes up, and so does Reiner, and soon, everyone is belting the chorus.

There are only two songs on the cassette, and the B-side must have been less popular, because nobody knows the words to it. The van quiets down, but Marco still hums along. When you give him a surprised look, he blushes.

“My mom loves John Denver. I recognize the melody.”

It’s funny when Take Me Home repeats and prompts a second singalong, but by the fourth time the tape flips over, no one is singing anymore. Hitch turns the volume down to a faint rumble, and before long, you pull into the nearly empty parking lot of the Wal-Mart.

You stumble out of the back seat, thankful to stretch your legs after being crammed in so tight. You shoot off a text to Miche, letting him know you made it to the store with no casualties, to which he replies k thx kid. You could truly gag.

“Do we need a cart?” Reiner asks as you approach the giant sliding doors.

“Better get a couple,” you reply, pulling one from the stack. You know you want to buy snacks, grab a couple packs of Gatorade, and probably beg Ymir to get you some alcohol to smuggle away, and you’re not carrying all that around by yourself.

“Is there, like, no one here?” Jean asks, stepping through the second set of doors. “I swear it feels like it’s closed.”

“Relax, there are other cars outside.” Ymir rides her cart past him like a scooter, pumping her foot for a few paces before jumping on the bottom rail and gliding down the center aisle.

“What do we need to get?” Historia asks, scrambling after her.

“I’m heading for food and drinks,” you announce, pointing your cart toward the grocery section. Marco and Jean drift that way along with you.

“I need another pair of flip flops,” says Hitch. She and Reiner start to head the other way, where you’re sure she’ll find much more than just a pair of flip flops.

“I’m out of shampoo,” says Historia.

“And I want one of those things that you can make a grilled cheese with over the campfire. Everyone get what you want and then meet back at the pharmacy. And…go!” Ymir takes a running start, then rides her shopping cart out of sight as you head for the groceries.

You lose Jean somewhere around the Pop Tarts.

“Where did he go? Wasn’t he just behind us?” Marco asks, pushing the cart beside you in the beverage aisle.

“Either he wandered off or he’s looking for us just as fast as we’re looking for him.” You stop to heave a twelve pack of purple Gatorade on the bottom rack of the cart, making the whole thing rattle. You try to hide how heavy you’re breathing as you reach up toward the top shelf for another multi-pack.

“Want me to get those for you?” Marco asks.

“Sure, grab a pack of blue ones, please.”

Marco loads them under the cart for you, then takes the handle with a smirk. “Woah, this is super bottom-heavy now. Gonna need to counterbalance with something.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Counterbalance?”

Marco chuckles. “Just get in the cart. You know you want to.”

“Ride in the cart? What am I, five?” You scoff, fully pretending that you don’t want to take him up on the offer.

“If we’re going to find Jean before Ymir destroys the pharmacy out of boredom, we gotta pick up the pace.”

You poke him in the chest. “Sir, you are being especially wild tonight.”

“Must be the fluorescents.”

Marco holds the cart steady while you flop inside the main basket. It’s a tight squeeze, but when you dangle your feet out of the front, it’s almost comfortable. Once you’re situated, Marco pushes you down a few more aisles while you point out the snacks you want, and he piles them on top of you. 

Armed with fruit snacks, cheese crackers, and a bottle of pre-made margaritas to make Ymir buy for you, Marco zips down the dessert aisle and grabs three boxes of Little Debbies. ”Guilty pleasure” he says with a bashful shrug. “I swear I’m not going to eat them all in one sitting.”

“I didn’t assume so, but hey, no judgment here.” You shrug, motioning at the mountain of snacks in your lap. You’re not terribly concerned with eating clean and healthy every day this summer, especially not when you’re sweating buckets and trudging up and down the hill all day anyway.

Marco laughs. “Maybe when I was sixteen and super active. But now I think that would end me.”

“Oh?” You can’t help it—you’re insanely curious. “Were you a jock in high school?”

Marco rubs the back of his neck. “I’m not sure I’d say that, but I played hockey for a long time.”

While you’d spent many afternoons daydreaming about him in football pads or tight baseball pants, something about the thought of Marco in a hockey uniform just makes sense. “Oh wow, hockey’s a big deal where you’re from, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, in Minnesota, it’s super popular. A lot of kids start playing pretty young.”

“Do you still play? I’ll admit, I don’t really know anything about hockey but I think it looks pretty cool.”

“I play on the university’s club team during the school year. We travel and play against other schools, but we’re a step below the official team. It’s fun, but none of us are going pro, you know?” Marco’s cheeks turn a strawberry pink, his eyes falling to the shelves of cereal boxes beside him. “Maybe you can come to a game sometime.”

“I absolutely will. I want to see you body check someone.” You’re giddy just thinking about it.

That makes Marco laugh. “Maybe if you’re lucky.”

You round the corner of the next aisle and finally find Jean with a tub of pretzels under one arm and a case of Red Bull under the other. He notices you laughing and riding in the cart, and he gives you a look.

“Um. Where am I supposed to put these?”

“Here, fine, but you have to help me get out.”

“Don’t crush my zebra cakes!” Marco pleads.

Jean puts down his snacks and pulls you up out of the basket while Marco holds onto the cart, making sure you don’t get dumped out on the floor. Once Jean’s stuff takes your place, the three of you head for the pharmacy.

You find Ymir in personal care, waiting with the cart while Historia picks out hair products. Their basket is full of sheet masks, candy, a fleece blanket, and four of those sandwich irons Ymir wanted. When you pull up next to her, she invites herself to poke around in your cart.

“Are you feeding an army?”

“No, just stocking up.” Shooing her hands away, you slide the booze into her cart. “A gift from you to me.”

“Wow, ok. How presumptuous.” She fakes a scoff, but you know she doesn’t mind or care.

“Oh. I thought you wanted me to get that for you,” Marco says. “I guess it doesn’t matter who buys it but—”

You don’t really intend to cut him off, but you’re surprised. “I didn’t think you were 21.”

“I wasn’t… until last week.”

“Marco!” You can’t stop yourself. It just comes out.

“What?”

“Was it your birthday last week?”

Marco looks nervous. Almost frightened.

“Yeah.”

You push the cart out of the way to get closer. “Your twenty-first birthday?”

“Yeah?”

“And you didn’t tell us?” You’re yelling. You’re in the middle of a practically deserted Wal-Mart Superstore at 11 o’clock at night, and you’re yelling.

“Oh my god, yes,” Marco laughs, incredulous. “I didn’t want anybody to make a big deal about it. Now please calm down before you get carded and we all get in trouble.” He’s right, you’re causing a scene, and it makes your own cheeks burn. You don’t intend to forget about this, though.

“Well shit,” Ymir quips. She reaches for the margarita bottle and shoves it into Marco’s hands. “Then you can buy the lady her liquor.”

“Yes ma’am.” Marco puts the bottle back in your cart.

Ymir pretends to gag. “Do not call me that.”

“Hey, kids!” Hitch sails by into the next aisle, waving, Reiner hurriedly following her with their nearly full cart. You all follow, rounding the corner before you realize you’re congregating in front of the contraception. It shouldn’t be a big deal—you’re adults, after all—but it’s not easy to be totally mature looking at a wall of condoms, especially with this group.

Hitch picks out a box of ultra thins, remarking, “For me,” as if you all really needed to know. Then she reaches for a box of magnums. Just as soon as you start to raise an eyebrow, she declares, “And for Bertie.”

“He wanted you to buy him condoms?” Reiner asks, sounding genuinely dumbfounded. Meanwhile, Marco looks pointedly at the tampons on the opposite side of the aisle, and Jean snickers like a complete dork.

“No,” Hitch smirks. “But he told me Annie is visiting next week. Gotta make sure he’s prepared.”

Ymir scoffs. “Fucking gross that they package those in gold like your jumbo dong is some sort of prize.” Then she reaches up to one of the higher shelves, asking nonchalantly, “Hey, baby, do you want warming lube this time? I think we’re almost out.”

It’s the kind of deeply intimate detail she normally has no problem sharing, but almost as soon as she says it, she freezes.

Reiner loudly clears his throat. “Who are you talking to?”

Nobody moves.

“Um.” Ymir rocks on her heels. Her eyes jump from person to person, searching. “Uh, Jean—”

Jean snorts. “Not even—”

“Ew. You’re right, that’s disgusting.”

“She was talking to me, Reiner,” Historia explains calmly. “Ymir is my girlfriend.”

Reiner barks out a laugh, but it fades quickly. He seems to realize she’s not joking just as Hitch and Jean fall apart, giggling. You have half a mind to abandon all your snacks and go hide in the van, you’re so secondhand embarrassed. You should never have gone along with this. 

Ymir crosses her arms proudly and leans against Historia’s side, though you’re not really sure if Ymir is winning or losing her own game anymore.

Hitch, pulling herself together, pats Reiner on the back. “Let’s go check out so we can get out of here.”

Fixing his own face, Reiner stammers, “Yeah. We should… yeah.” Almost tenderly, Hitch puts a hand on the front of their shopping cart, steering Reiner toward the registers as he follows behind.

Historia’s hands drop to her hips, and she gives Ymir a look. “Are you happy now?”

Ymir shrugs. “Pretty much.” Huffing, Historia takes off with their cart.

“Meet you at the front, baby girl,” Ymir calls.

Marco, his face beet red, reaches for your cart, but Ymir blocks one of the front wheels with her foot.

“Hold on, birthday boy.” She grabs a basic box of condoms and pushes it into Marco’s hands. His fingers don’t close around it—he drops it on the floor like it’s on fire.

Ymir snatches the box and shoves it back at him. “You’re gonna need these, trust me,” she snorts, and that familiar, overwhelming urge to smother her washes over you.

Marco, cheeks burning, flaps his lips a few times, but no words come out. Slowly, like he’s thinking hard, he puts the box back on the shelf.

You look away, your stomach dropping. You get that he’s embarrassed—Ymir is crossing a lot of lines—and it’s not like you didn’t pack a box of condoms in your suitcase, so you’ll have some if you need them. But now, you just want to get out of here because if you let yourself think about it for one more second, it’ll hit you all at once that Marco is just a really nice person who was never actually flirting with you and doesn’t like you back. 

You allow yourself one last glance over your shoulder to see if Marco is coming with your cart before you go lay in the road and wait for traffic.

Your breath catches when you see him drop a black and gold box, identical to the one Hitch picked out for Bert, into the cart.

Screaming in your head, you power walk past the checkout. Marco will have to pay for everything because there’s alcohol in the cart, so you wait by the exit like an idiot while trying to act casual, but really, how can you? You’ve only thought about Marco’s dick print a few hundred times, and those condoms practically confirm that he’s really and truly packing. And you want it. You want him so bad—

“Ready?” You blink and Marco is there, everything bagged up and ready to go.

Ymir walks by behind him, silently mouthing, “Jumbo,” and you don’t know whether to thank her or kill her where she stands. You hope neither registers on your face.

In the parking lot, you help Marco load the bags into the van. Now you’re the immature one, wondering which bag the condoms are in, whether they’re touching your Gatorades. You hope to god he bagged them with his damn zebra cakes so you don’t have to negotiate some kind of awkward, presumptuous handoff. He’s definitely smart enough for that. Of course he is.

When you buckle in for the ride home, it’s quiet in the van. Only Hitch talks over her shoulder to Historia about the big game of flashlight tag that Moblit and Hange have organized for tomorrow night. Ymir yawns heavily, and you’re pretty sure Jean already nodded off with his head against the window.

Reiner is silent in the passenger’s seat—if he’s not back to himself by tomorrow, you’re rounding everyone up to apologize. It was mean, what Ymir did to him, and you’re all pretty complicit. But sometimes Reiner bounces back from his moods miraculously, and sometimes he doesn’t. You’ll just have to wait and see what you’re dealing with in the morning.

The John Denver tape plays softly from the speakers. Beside you, Marco hums along, his long legs crammed in behind Ymir’s seat. Just as the silence is about to cross from uncomfortable to unbearable, Marco slowly but deliberately reaches out, lightly covering your hand from where it rests on your knee.

You curl into his side, and he starts to sing a little louder, just enough so that you can hear.

“Welcome to my evening, the closing of the day. I could try a million times, never find a better way.”

Before the drive earlier, you’d never heard this song. Now, upwards of six repeats in, you know at least some of the words—enough to mumble along a little with him. The chorus is familiar by now, an easy refrain of la la las that everyone who’s still awake can jump into.

Even if it’s a little awkward, at least you’re all either singing or snoring.

It wasn’t long ago that Marco told you that he felt safe with you. With your head on his shoulder and your hand wrapped in his, you’re sure you feel the same about him.

-

Before your first alarm goes off the next morning, you wake to the hushed sounds of Historia chasing Ymir out of bed. You can’t make out any clear words, just whispering and grumbling, but after a minute or two, the bed creaks. You roll over and crack an eye open just in time to see Ymir pull on her shoes and slip out the door.

You try to snooze a few more minutes before your alarm goes off, but it’s fruitless. Everyone is starting to rustle themselves awake, so you figure you might as well just get up and shower. Quietly, you gather your things and head out.

You pass the lodge on the way to the showers, where you spot Ymir on the upper balcony, sharing a porch swing with Reiner. They rock slowly, overlooking the hill that leads down to the lake. Good. As stubborn as Ymir is, you’re almost positive she’s up there apologizing. You hope he’s not taking everything too hard. Sometimes his feelings can be too big for him.

You leave them be and take a slightly longer shower than usual, your mind drifting back to Marco and the way he held your hand. You make sure to really take your time conditioning your hair and scrubbing down with your scented body wash. It’s silly, but you feel like you’re right on the precipice of something with him, and you want to look as nice as possible for it. As if it’ll last in this humidity. 

It’s a quiet morning when you return to the cabin to get dressed. Mikasa is already gone to do the wake-up calls (with Eren, because he can’t be trusted to get up on his own, let alone rouse everyone else). You expect a subdued breakfast. Maybe everyone who was at the store last night does.

Marco meets you at the front of the mess hall holding two styrofoam coffee cups. You’re getting used to the sight, but as you sit down next to him at the table, you see Jean already has his first cup. Marco hands his second cup to you.

“Oh, thank you. Does it–”

“Two sugars,” he says, and your heart squeezes. You try not to take it as a marriage proposal.

Glancing around, you don’t see the one person you were worried about. “Does anyone know where–” you’re about to ask, but you’re interrupted by a shockingly loud voice at the other end of the room.

You’re used to Erwin’s startling morning announcements. What you’re not ready for is Reiner standing at the fireplace next to him, smiling with all his teeth, shouting, “Good morning!” to the campers instead.

The campers look up, and Reiner doesn’t even have to give instructions. He simply points to the left side of the room, takes a big breath, and starts singing the first part of Down by the Bay, off-key but with heaps of enthusiasm. Erwin, pointing to his side of the room, comes in quickly with the echo, and the campers erupt. They’ve been working on the song in Nifa’s music lessons since the first week of camp, and they’re thrilled to sing it as a giant group.

You lean your chair back on two legs to ask Ymir, “What did you say to him?”

She simply shrugs over the bowl of cereal she’s already poured herself. “Don’t look at me. You know what he’s like at the asscrack of dawn. I didn’t say anything.”

“Liar,” you tease. She sticks her tongue out at you.

For all intents and purposes, Reiner does seem fine. But you saw the look on his face the night before. You can’t help but worry he’s just putting on a mask. 

You could send in a professional to get all the details from Reiner. Unfortunately, Hitch is posted up next to Erwin with a thermos of coffee, so she’s not going anywhere for the foreseeable.

Instead, you scurry up to Reiner yourself after breakfast and steer him out into the parking lot. “Hey. Are you ok?”

Reiner chuckles and scratches the back of his head. “What do you mean? I’m great.”

When you give him a look, he sighs. “All right, listen. Yeah, I was kind of messed up last night. But I thought about it, and I talked to Ymir this morning. The whole thing was partially my fault anyway.”

“Huh?”

“Deep down, I always knew the two of them had something going on. I didn’t know they were actually dating, but I ignored the obvious signs on purpose. I think I was just trying to distract myself from…” 

He kicks the dirt, eyes cast down. “You know what you said about those snaps Galliard was sending me?”

 “I remember.” You’re careful to answer evenly, as excited as you are about where you think this is leading. You don’t want to freak him out.

“Well, I sent some back. And it turned into a whole thing. Because I think I like it.” Reiner hesitates between every sentence. “But instead of thinking about how that made me feel, I wanted to flirt with someone else. A girl. Because I don’t have to think as much about that.”

You give his shoulder a squeeze. “You didn’t do anything wrong. But you know, if you want to flirt with boys too, you can.”

Reiner clears his throat. “Is that… ok?” He asks so earnestly, it almost breaks your heart. He’s not asking if it bothers you; he’s asking for reassurance. For someone to give him permission.

“Yes. And if you need someone to talk to, you can talk to me. Or Ymir. Or Jean, or anyone. Nobody is going to be mad at you. I’m pretty sure Porco would be thrilled, actually.”

Before you can take another breath, Reiner wraps you in a bear hug. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” you wheeze. “But you’re kind of crushing me.”

Reiner lets go, laughing. You both know you need to get moving to your next activity block. Reiner skips a few paces ahead, turning backwards to face you. “Gotta go. I have a wiffle ball game to win.”

“Go get ‘em!” Yeah. He’s going to be ok.

-

When the late June sun sets over the hill, you meet Hange and Moblit at the back door of the lodge. After making sure all the campers have a working flashlight (thanks to Hange’s messenger bag full of spare batteries), Moblit lays out the rules, and they’re all off into the dark to chase each other around.

It’s your job to hang around the perimeter of camp and make sure none of the campers go out-of-bounds into the woods or by the lake. With your own flashlight pointed down at the ground, you walk the path just past the tree line. When you hear a rustle in the leaves, you flick your light up, ready to point some little feet back toward the lodge.

Instead, you find a certain tall, broad, and dorky counselor stumbling out of the trees, the leg of his jeans caught in a prickly bush.

“Please help,” Marco chuckles.

While he points his flashlight at his ankle, you crouch down and shake his pant leg free.

“Thank you.” You can just make out his outline in the dark, shaded by the trees, but you can hear in his voice how hard he’s smiling.

“Any time.” You realize how close you’re standing, how much electricity hangs between you as you laugh awkwardly. You’ve never felt this alone with him before. You want something. Anything.

You lean a little closer, and he lingers, not pulling away. A hot wave of breathlessness washes over you, and you rise onto your toes, one hand ghosting over the back of his neck.

“Marco,” you whisper.

His flashlight hits the ground. Both of his big hands rest on the small of your back, and he pulls you in, capturing your bottom lip with his mouth, urgent but soft. You can’t help yourself. You throw both arms over his shoulders and squeeze, pressing your body against his, so close you can feel the pounding in his chest.

He gasps before deepening the kiss, letting your tongue slip past his lips. There’s nothing to say as you hold on a little too desperately, wrapped up in each other in the dark.

When you finally break apart, Marco is trembling. “I really, really like you.”

“I really, really hoped so.” You press one more light kiss against the hint of his collarbone that peeks out over the collar of his t-shirt.

Peals of laughter and flashlight beams from a few meters away startle you, and you hop back as a few campers chase after each other on the other side of the trees.

Marco retrieves his flashlight, and you wish you could see how hard he’s blushing. Instead, you give his hand a little tug. He laces his fingers between yours and gives a reassuring squeeze. “Come on,” you tease. “We should pay attention.” You have the rest of the summer to figure this out. Right now, you have a job to do.

➷➷➷➷➷

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