dariaastrid

[dariaastrid]

My thoughts

I’ve been working on Allies in Russian for a long time, and it’s still inspired by the situation I’ve been stuck in. I’m planning to finish it this summer. I wouldn’t call it a romantic story set during the war. It’s more of a character study of what might have really happened to Hermione if she had chosen to sacrifice her humanity to save others. It explores pain, regret, internal conflicts, and heavy moral dilemmas. The issues for which I don’t have clear answers. The horrors and mental instability that come with events like these aren’t romanticized in my writing.

In this story, Hermione isn’t a victim. Well, she doesn't need saving. My goal was to show her evolution and fierce character, as it’s written in the books. She takes action, and, of course, pays the price for it.

In many war fics, we see Draco portrayed as someone tempted by darkness, who often saves or protects Hermione. And while I’m not against this, I couldn’t make sense of Hermione always being the one unaffected by the chaos around her. I can’t imagine her not being cynical, conflicted, or losing her inner light.

I didn’t make Draco the main character. He’s more of an anchor and a reflection of Hermione’s arc. Their relationship is born from pain and a mutual desire to hide away from the world. They aren’t perfect, but I never intended them to be. The story isn’t about a couple who goes through a lot and somehow wins; it’s about complicated choices that could lead to tragedy.

Allies is my way of showing that the world is never just black and white, it’s full of grey areas. Sometimes, evil is born from within, but we don’t see it because we’re too focused on justice and victory. The story is about how humanity isn’t defined by which side you’re on, but by what you choose or what you fail to do. And sometimes, maybe, there’s no way to save it at all.

I'll try to update every 2 or 3 weeks

[dariaastrid]

Draco Malfoy, a double agent, was captured by his own division after the war. The Order, convinced he was dead, left him behind. Months later, during a sabotage mission in a Death Eater lab, Order agents found the heir of an ancient house shackled in an experimental chamber. The only person still alive who knew the truth about Malfoy’s role in the war was Hermione Granger.

Read Allies on ao3.

[dariaastrid]

Every choice Blaise Zabini makes is random. Real choices he avoids—he has a firm belief in the knut with the bicorn and revers. Two round faces determine his fate.

Prometheus.

Art by Fundamentally Frabelsome.

[dariaastrid]

Wunderghost tips: the best ways to terrify wizards by Daria_Astrid ✨

[dariaastrid]

"One, two, three, four, five! Mages march to stay alive. Suddenly, out Ginevra flies, Spitting slime right in their eyes! Zap-zap! Oh, what a fright! Magic sparks light up the night!!"

"Get away from us, you stupid head!"Draco snaps angrily. "No-one's going to play with you!"

Afterwards he lets out an excited whisper in Granger's ear. 

"The sooner we get out of here, the better for us!"

The engine's woof increases, and Granger's head leans closer to the steering wheel. The witch pulls her pilot goggles down and tosses them to him from over her shoulder.

"Hold on tight, Malfoy. You're going to have to shoot back if anything happens."

"What do you mean, shoot back?"

Her answer doesn't reach his ears, but a sharp gust of wind jerks his lips, hair, and head backwards. The air beats against his gums. Draco almost flies off the seat, but he learns his lesson - Granger's waist is now his only bulwark of safety.

Art by Sunmi

Wunderghost tips: the best ways to terrify wizards

[dariaastrid]

“I want to try something. Like in the movies."

“Movies?"

“Just don't move, okay? And go a little lower.”

He frowns, but freezes with his head hanging down. His legs are swaying, one hand is gripping to his broom, and the distance between them shrinks. Hermione gets up from the stands and walks over to him, framing her hands around his jaw. His nose is level with her lips as she presses her fingers to his chin, guiding his head toward her and kisses him gently. From a gust of wind, curls frame their faces, hiding them from the gazes of the crew. It only lasts a few seconds, but they both feel that this kiss is the beginning of something bigger than last night. Something fragile, something magical. She pulls away from him, and Draco breathes out into her mouth. It worked - it really was just like in the movies.

Wings, ink, love.

Art by AILA.

[dariaastrid]

Wolves had never been Harry's favourite animal. Wandering in packs, hungry. Angry. Sensing your inner fear of being caught between their jaws. Harry grinds his teeth, trying to frighten the savages that have shown up. Sure, wolves aren't werewolves, but they're not harmless knizzles either.

They dig into the ground with their claws, jaws wide open and eager to devour. Wands would have come in handy.

Parkinson's back presses against his, and they lean against each other for protection. Stranded, lost wanderers. A sweaty hand encircles his wrist, and Harry flinches at Parkinson's cold touch on his palm.

“What do we do?” She whispers to him from behind his shoulder. “What do we do, Potter?”

The wolves come closer and closer, narrowing the circle. His heart is beating so hard, it's almost piercing his chest.

“I don't know,” Harry quips, taking another step away from the snarling animal. “I—”

He wants to move forward and growl back in a way that makes the wolf startle, whimper, and scurry away. Like he's going to devour, not him. Translucent saliva flies from its mouth to the ground as a clawed paw presses the damp grass to the ground with a thud.

“I don't know,” a shiver comes through in his voice, but he tries to focus, looking through the trees for an escape route. “Just don't move, Pansy, don't piss them off.”

Prometheus.

[dariaastrid]

“Malfoy?” Granger's hoarse voice breaks the oppressive silence.

“Yes?” he responds.

“I'm scared.”

Malfoy latches onto the moisture in her hazel eyes. How he wishes he could say he was too... But he can't. Merlin, forbidden. If he gives in, how will Granger feel? After all, at least one rower in the boat has to believe they'll make it to shore…

Granger is helpless, and only Draco is keeping their leaky boat from sinking.

So, he issues a confident and unwavering:

“You'll be safe. I promise I'll do everything I can.”

What a goblin. He wishes he could believe what he's saying.

Prometheus.

Read on ao3.

[dariaastrid]

What do you use to make AI photos?

Midjourney hyperrealism prompt

[dariaastrid]

A poster of smiling yellow and white circles brings an unsettling feeling to his chest. Under the strange name "Smiler" the number fourteen is written, and Draco wonders what it is. “And it's better than a rusty squeaky wheel with stalls?” “You're the only one who can humiliate a world landmark from a distance. We didn't even get in the cabin yesterday because of your tantrum about boredom.” “I still don't understand what's so special about it? And why do Muggles call it an Eye? It can't see, can it?” Granger rolls her eyes and sighs. She nods at the structure looming over them: “I think something like this is much closer to your professional life.” “Since when does strapping yourself to a suicidal gnome trolley equals to flying on a broomstick?” She giggles like a little girl and pulls him into the crowd: “I promise you, Malfoy, you'll love it.”

Wings, ink, love

[dariaastrid]

Of course, they never talk about the kiss. Not a single fucking word in a month. Granger pretends that everything is fine: throwing stupid questions, glancing around the stands, taking notes and scribbling something in her favorite notebook. In general, she does everything to make Draco quietly wish he could strangle her.

"What is your happiest childhood memory?"; "What would you be doing if you weren't a seeker?"; "How do you feel about using live snidgets instead of snitches?"

And "blah, blah, blah" - give him the strength to endure the flow of words.

One hundred and one questions of this type, and not one really relevant one. Yes, Granger knows how to bully people - she has her own nerdy exhausting signature style.

Wings, ink, love

[dariaastrid]

YOU WILL FIND A WAY!!!! YOU WILL FIND A WAY . You will find a WAY ….. you WILL find a way . You will find a way you will find a way……!! YOU WILL FIND A WAY YOU WILL FIND A WAY you will find a Way you will (find) a way you will find. a way you will find a way YOU WILL FIND A WAY!!!!!!!

[dariaastrid]

Harry from Prometheus.

Children who have never seen peace and children who have never known war have different ideas of justice. Harry is from the former group. He hopes his children will be from the latter. Of course, he has always known that any victory cannot come without loss. Harry has always been prepared to lay his life on the altar. What he isn't ready for is the realisation that has come—it doesn't play a big part in the new world. And that makes Harry want to feel sorry for himself.Where is there any true justice to be found? It's only a disappointment, bitter on the tongue.

Art by Flyora.

[dariaastrid]

Selfie kiss

[dariaastrid]

Draco Malfoy is trying to get used to his new job. Hermione Granger, a gifted inventor, builds poltergeist traps in the attic of an abandoned fire station in London. Auror Draco Malfoy is forced to work with her to find Neville Longbottom, get a promotion, while trying not to die in an antique store possessed by dodgy crazy spirits.

Wunderghost tips: the best ways to terrify wizards

[dariaastrid]

"Do you remember the plan? "An erratic breath reaches him, and Draco crouches back down and pulls his glasses over his eyes. "Your job-" "Dodge acid spit in my face while you're trying to get your morom pack?" "Proton pack, Malfoy." "I wouldn't correct the mistakes of someone who would risk his life for you, Granger." "While you are still sitting in your hiding place!" "Doubting my willingness to throw myself into the fight?" She snorts: "I'm afraid you're too worried about your pretty face to fight for real." He fails to suppress a smirk: "Do I have a pretty face?"

Perhaps he's hallucinating (which wouldn't surprise him under the current circumstances), but a crimson blush colours Granger's cheeks. She ignores his words.

Wunderghost tips: the best ways to terrify wizards

[dariaastrid]

Harry Potter✨