futuredoctorandwriter

[futuredoctorandwriter]

Piano and shields

People refer to New York as the city that never sleeps...Which is a correct epithet - unless you disagree - and point out the recent blackout that it suffered in regard to the Void's generalized attack...

Despite the Sisyphean effort that the current CIA director was mobilizing to give the New Avengers - as she called them - credibility, people tended to stray away from the tower - the Watchtower - as she had christened it in her last interview, still processing what they'd been through 3 fortnights ago. And yet, time, uncaring as ever, dragged them forward — whether they liked it or not

Most activity had closed 2 weeks after the blackout, parents, children and teenagers equally anxious to spend some time with their loved ones. Congress and Senate representatives had tried to stop it, but little by little, all lucrative and non-lucrative organizations, rapidly joined by governments agencies, declared that they'd be given time to rephase.

And slowly, life took back its place in New York, and people shopped, laughed, ate in diners, committed misdemeanors ; children ran away from their parents to pet stray dogs and cats ; men in blue or black suits swerved very close to hitting taxies, who'd been driving as if they were auditioning to be in the next F1 race.

Today was a special day for one particular school, Catherina of Siena's Institute. The school would hold a music fair ; every classroom had prepared a piece to sing or perform, and in the end, all students would elect the winner. Of course, no classroom could vote for themselves, and the vote would only happen only after all classrooms manifested their musical prowess.

The sun's rays laced themselves on the principal room's floor, occasionally tickling her desk. The aforementioned principal, however, sat at the piano adjacent to her desk, rehearsing the piece she'd play in order to open the competition. This year would be the music fair's 35th's edition, and her 5th as principal. Keys were being pressed methodically, and the piece gradually came to life, wrapping her up gently, before a knock interrupted her rendition of Chopin's Nocturne in C sharp minor.

"Come in." she delicately draped the keys with the red wool felt, and stood up. Her lips slid themselves to smile at her secretary, who hadn't even bothered to apologize for the inopportune interruption.

"Good morning, Ms. Jennins called in sick, so you'll have to direct classroom 9C onto the stage. Other than that, the catering company's car is currently parked outside and unloading the feast you ordered ; and Mr. Strauss has checked every instrument, and we're ready to go !" He cleared his throat as he noticed she had already sat at her desk, eyes skimming through her desktop computer.

"Heard you loud and clear. I just need to know what they're playing and I'm currently looking back at the piece distribution file...Oh, and they're singing Bohemian Rhapsody." She briefly spared her secretary a glance, the ghost of a smirk climbing on her lips. "I'd suggest you take the day off, but unfortunately it's too late for that...If I were you, I'd go the pharmacy 5 blocks away and get myself some earplugs." She stood up, keys and her sheet music book in each hand, ushering him outside.

______________________________________________________________

Her ears were buzzing, a chimera of Queen, Mozart, Chopin and Ray Charles swirling around her as she opened the door to her apartment. Sighting softly, she stepped out of her heels and set them on the shoe rack before washing her hands. Classroom 9C had won this year's fair, surprising everyone. Unfortunately, Ms. Jennins, who'd caught a nasty cold, couldn't watch her toil blossom into victory. However, she'd managed to call her after she'd given the award to the class's president, and each of the 27 students shouted to thank their professor, nearly rendering their principal deaf in the process.

Her feet ushered her to the bathroom, where she washed her hands, before heading down to the kitchen, trying to anticipate what she'd find in her fridge to make a hearty meal for herself.

Apples, kiwis, spinach, cucumber, avocados, lettuce and olives...Now that's a good start for a salad, I'd say.

The fridge's cool air caressed her face, a kitten's purr compared to the snowstorm roaring outside. She rapidly closed her fridge after a successful ingredients extraction, washed her fruits and vegetables and begun cutting her ingredients. She sighed softly, the only sound accompanying her languidly matching her clock's ticking. A few exceptionally brave souls had dared to ask others what they'd seen during the Void ; but the Void wasn't the last step of the stair she'd step on; because she had another nightmare to come across.

Most of her friends had comforted her when she found out, while a few strays told her that it was expected, and seemed surprised that she'd be hurt by the events; events that she clearly hadn't anticipated. The work hours grew; so did their distance...And society always had more facility blaming women for marital shortcomings -her husband leaving her- especially when their marriage was devoid of any children. She knew the blame wasn't hers to carry; because affairs are, in fine, the consequences of a choice her former partner had made...And yet, it stung, because while logic and reason dictated that in such matters, one should be mad at the spouse - because that same person was the one that made that vow to dedicate themselves to another - she didn't expect her sister in the equation.

And yet, trained as she was, the little voice in her head kept telling her that this one was her fault; and that her eyes, that her godfather Nick Fury had once compared to a lynx's, should've seen the signs. And so her neurons and conscience, not matter what road they took, came back to the same conclusion...That somehow, she ought to be held accountable for the end of her marriage.

Her phone rang : she set her knife down, and thanked the interruption her called had provided her, before she read the name appearing on the screen.

Sam Wilson.

She pursed her lips : Sam wasn't due to be free for another few weeks. The last time they'd seen each other, they'd joked about flying to Italy and staying at her family's house where Sam could finally sleep in and Joaquin could finally learn how to cook some decent lasagna. She inhaled, then exhaled softly, before answering.

"Sam ! How are you ? Finished your mission early ?" she joked.

"Joaquin and I are outside your apartment complex, could you open up for us ? It's urgent." His clipped tone quickened her heartbeat.

"You're outside ? Yeah of course just let me" She swiftly slid across her apartment, and pressed the button next to the intercom phone. A buzz-like noise followed. "It should be open by now. You haven't answered my question though : what's wrong ?"

"Can't speak on the phone, we'll talk later." He hung up, leaving her eyebrows furrowed impatiently waiting for her surprise guests to knock on her door.

______________________________________________________________

"I beg you pardon, you want me to do WHAT ?" She'd nearly dropped the bottle of wine they'd brought in. Setting in on her kitchen's counter, she took another glance at her guests. Unfortunately, this wasn't April 1st. Joaquin smirked at the exchange, he'd anticipated the conversation and it was going exactly as he'd imagined it.

"Listen, I know it's crazy-" Sam declared.

"It IS crazy, Sam ! I'm not even a trained agent !" She spluttered, throwing her hands up in the air. "You're Captain American for God's sake. Confront them, and sue them if need be !" But he shook his head vehemently at her.

"That's exactly what they're expecting. A big ol' reaction from me, especially since Fontaine herself was in big trouble. Listen, you're trained, and the only thing she might find out about you is the fact that you're Nick Fury's goddaughter, which explains your skills. Congress and Senate are currently fumbling trying to stop her, seeing as half the country doesn't trust any of 'em. There's something fishy about the whole thing, and right now, Tinman doesn't want to give me a clear answer as to the sudden behavioral change. I mean, one minute he's trying to impeach her, and the next he's working under her ? I'm telling you something's not right." Sam exhaled loudly as he finished his monologue.

"Technically the Avengers work under the authority of the USA, not Fontaine's..." She clarified, earning a glare from Wilson.

"Listen, you'd have to infiltrate their little society, and slowly snoop around and find something we can use against her...It sounds complicated but you're more than qualified !" Sam reiterated his argument, to which she shook her head vehemently.

Joaquin had stayed silent, standing by the counter next to the bouquet of slightly frozen peonies they’d brought — Chiara hadn’t even acknowledged them. She looked too stunned, too focused on the battlefield forming in her head, memories and instincts clashing in real-time.

"Sam," she said slowly, folding her arms, "I'm not an agent, I've never been one at all. I can't drop my life like that. I know you're frustrated, and trust me, I'd do anything to get the truth out, the bonus getting Walker out of that building, but this isn't the way to go." She shook her head. "I mean, I know Fontaine is dirty just like the sky is blue, but moving in the shadows like that...I mean, you're Captain America, you're supposed to set the example...And this behavior isn't typical of you Sam." She sighed and sat down on her couch.

"You know what ? You're right. But we're against someone who was getting impeached, so who knows what else she could be hiding ?" Sam sat down next to her, his left hand reaching out to her right one.

"Okay, let's walk through the hypothetical situation you want to set me up in : I haven't properly trained since graduation. I scold kids everyday, and while I smile at snobby parents all day, all I want to do later is punch them in the face. Yes I'm fit, but not enough to temporarily join a superhero team."

"And that’s exactly why they’ll never see you coming," Joaquin finally spoke. His voice was quieter than Sam’s, but firmer, sharper. "Look, I didn’t believe in this team either. I still don’t. But Bucky flipped on us, and something about how easily he did it…it doesn’t sit right."

Chiara straightened from the counter, folding her arms again, her brow furrowing as Sam’s proposal sank in.

She didn't speak, so Joaquin filled the silence.

“Look, we don’t expect you to just waltz in with a fake ID and pretend to be a knockoff version of Hydra. We came to you because you think five steps ahead. Remember the first day I met you, and you told me you value the truth ?”

Sam nodded, stepping forward. “We’re not giving you a playbook, Chiara. Let's face it : there is none. But you’ve got the background and the poise to turn heads. You just need to make yourself noticed, and you need enough flair to impress her to slowly get closer to her. ”

“And Fontaine’s desperate right now,” Joaquin added. “Congress and Senate still can't agree about this new team she's built, and let's face it, she doesn't have enough money to buy enough votes to make this pass.”

Chiara's jaw tightened slightly. She hated many things about herself, mostly things she couldn't control : one of them was being the granddaughter of a military contractor turned congressman.

"...You're right : truth has and will always be the most important thing to me." She laughed quietly at the look her guests gave her. She looked down at the floor for a moment, considering. Her fingers, still damp from rinsing vegetables, curled slightly.

“I was invited to the Defense Appropriations Gala next Friday. It’s more of a ghost story than a gala. Ancient money and retired senators, mostly. But Fontaine might show.”

“She will show,” Sam said quietly. “She’s working too hard to legitimize this ‘New Avengers’ circus not to. Especially in front of donors and military brass.”

Chiara nodded slowly, Sam's words colonizing her mind.

"Let's say I do manage to impress her : how do I keep in contact with you ? You and I both know she's the type of woman to spy on people even when they're publicly loyal to her." She asked with genuine interest.

"Now that's where we fall into the scheme. Once you're in the loop, you'll regularly meet with one of us outside the city, somewhere remote and we'll be updated, curtesy of your incredible skills." Joaquin grinned at her, to which she chuckled.

"Calls and messages off the table ?" Sam nodded at her question.

"Can't risk her tracking your phone. Here's a new one, with a new phone number." She swiftly caught the phone Torres threw at her.

"Our contacts are in there, you can add the rest of your contacts...We go by the names of Mason Wils and Jonas Quirter. Any other questions ?" She shook her head, before she stole a glance at the unopened bottle of wine.

"Allow me, my lady. As a thank you, for accepting this dangerous quest you're about to embark." Joaquin bowed dramatically, to which she laughed, before he jogged to the kitchen in search of wine glasses.

"Both of you owe me a lifetime. That is, if I succeed." She cleared her throat.

"You will. Of that I have no doubt."

Sam stepped closer, his voice softer now. “Is there anything you want in return, Chiara?”

She waved a hand dismissively at first, already halfway through refusing.

“I’m doing this because it’s the right thing to do, not because I expect some—” She stopped herself, lips pressing into a thin line. Her eyes narrowed, thoughtful.

“…Actually,” she said, drawing out the word with an unfamiliar smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, “do either of you know a good divorce attorney?”

Sam blinked. “Wait, you’re—?”

“Married?” she finished, her tone dry. “Technically. But considering I found him in bed with my sister two months ago, I think the paperwork’s a formality at this point.”

Joaquin let out a low whistle as he set down the glasses. Sam looked between them, stunned into silence.

Chiara took the bottle from Joaquin, popped the cork with practiced ease, and poured herself a glass. She raised it in mock toast.

“To fresh starts,” she said, with just enough bitterness to make the sweetness real.

A.N : first time writing in a LONG time ; also this story came from a late-night brainstorm between me and ChatGPT.

All constructive criticism is welcome <3.

Enjoy

[futuredoctorandwriter]

Writing a protagonist in Slytherin

How can one write a good Slytherin protagonist and not become crazy because every single plot point has to be carefully thought out and now you have to force yourself and ask how the hell does a Slytherin think ??

P.S : trying to come up with an Albus Severus Potter fanfic idea.

P.P.S : do you think Harry Potter would have gone to therapy after everything.

P.P.P.S : I don't consider Cursed Child canon.

[futuredoctorandwriter]

I found it !!! It's called Ancient Whispers if you're interested (tho it's on hiatus rn so now you have all of the facts).

Link : https://archiveofourown.org/works/59434855/chapters/151573375

Looking for a fanfiction

Hello fellow fanfiction readers. Hope you're doing well. I've just read a fanfiction and I forgot to save its name and I regret it. But here's the plot (or at least what I remember from it) : FMC returns to Hogwarts for her 6th year, doesn't turn Sebastian in, and well she's still traumatized by Prof. Fig's death. And there's a new Magical Theory professor and he's very weird and challenges very ruthlessly the students. He talks about the fact that magic has two components, one being intent (I forgot the other one and that's literally the only reason I'm looking for this fanfiction) and he asks FMC to break his shield that he cast on himself. Thanks in advance !

N.B : I don't know if it was on AO3 or ff.net but I do remember it not being completed (which is why I removed the tab from my phone). Also, FMC most likely didn't turn Sebastian Sallow in (but not 10000% sure).

[futuredoctorandwriter]

Looking for a fanfiction

Hello fellow fanfiction readers. Hope you're doing well. I've just read a fanfiction and I forgot to save its name and I regret it. But here's the plot (or at least what I remember from it) : FMC returns to Hogwarts for her 6th year, doesn't turn Sebastian in, and well she's still traumatized by Prof. Fig's death. And there's a new Magical Theory professor and he's very weird and challenges very ruthlessly the students. He talks about the fact that magic has two components, one being intent (I forgot the other one and that's literally the only reason I'm looking for this fanfiction) and he asks FMC to break his shield that he cast on himself. Thanks in advance !

N.B : I don't know if it was on AO3 or ff.net but I do remember it not being completed (which is why I removed the tab from my phone). Also, FMC most likely didn't turn Sebastian Sallow in (but not 10000% sure).

[futuredoctorandwriter]

hi ! it seems I've found my foe :) ! lol JK. I'm just glad I've found a fellow potterhead to debate with. Now I have to make it clear, Snape's character is complex, and amazing, but one doesn't exclude the other. One can still hate him while acknowledging the complexity of his character and the character's evolution.

Another thing I didn't mention beforehand is also the fact that he was okay with Harry and James, whom are the two most important people in Lily's life, to die, only for her to survive. He was blinded by his obsession not understanding that the Death Eaters hate Lily because of who she was (a muggleborn) and that L.V would have never accepted him with her ; OR the fact that Lily would never crawl back to him.

Yes, I did say obsession, because I don't think that Snape loved Lily. he loved her like a toddler loves his relatives because they gave him the attention he craves. We might greatly differ on this, but for me, the definition of true love is that, sometimes, love isn't enough, and that true love is accepting what's best for their loved one, and if their happiness lies outside of our scope, then we have to accept it.

Snape lovers

I really fail to understand how one can be a Snape sympathizer after reading all the books...I mean, Snape was a bully, and never grew out of it, joined a supremacist terror group and then only became a double agent, because his one-that-got-away (she really didn't though, he chose his path, and so did she) 's son was targeted by the prophecy. Now one can argue that it doesn't matter what reason drove him to become a double agent ; and that's where I disagree, because let's imagine for a moment, that Voldemort concentrated all of his efforts on Neville...Snape would have no problem with 2 Aurors and their innocent baby dying...Which to me, tells me everything I should know about his character.

And most importantly, Snape became a bully (fully knowing how being bullied feels) to the point where he became a student's (Neville Longbottom) Boggart...Let that sink in for a moment...

P.S : many people might come at me and say that James was also at fault...I am not denying this fact. But as Dumbledore once said : "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities". James grew up, matured, and stepped up to gain the affection of the woman he loved, and joined a resistance group. Snape became a Death Eater, and bullied students (Ron, Hermione and Harry after Neville of course).

[futuredoctorandwriter]

Snape lovers

I really fail to understand how one can be a Snape sympathizer after reading all the books...I mean, Snape was a bully, and never grew out of it, joined a supremacist terror group and then only became a double agent, because his one-that-got-away (she really didn't though, he chose his path, and so did she) 's son was targeted by the prophecy. Now one can argue that it doesn't matter what reason drove him to become a double agent ; and that's where I disagree, because let's imagine for a moment, that Voldemort concentrated all of his efforts on Neville...Snape would have no problem with 2 Aurors and their innocent baby dying...Which to me, tells me everything I should know about his character.

And most importantly, Snape became a bully (fully knowing how being bullied feels) to the point where he became a student's (Neville Longbottom) Boggart...Let that sink in for a moment...

P.S : many people might come at me and say that James was also at fault...I am not denying this fact. But as Dumbledore once said : "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities". James grew up, matured, and stepped up to gain the affection of the woman he loved, and joined a resistance group. Snape became a Death Eater, and bullied students (Ron, Hermione and Harry after Neville of course).