potterandpreferences

[potterandpreferences]

Sands Through Time

Hermione Granger was by no means the first witch or wizard to be gifted with a timeturner for the sake of academic studies. Percy Weasley had also had one, and Bill Weasley before him.

You had also had one. You loved to learn and studied hard year round to ensure you maintained top grades. You told your closest friends about it - there was no way they wouldn't notice your timetable, or the amount and variety of homework you were doing each evening - and they knew you were fascinated by how much you could learn. Magic was diverse and there was always another element to make you appreciate it even more. You had the time turner from your third to your fifth year. After you completed your OWLs, you handed it back in. No sane educator would try and let anyone try to carry every subject forwards to NEWT level.

You were in your final year at Hogwarts when Hermione was given her time turner. It was like watching a car crash in slow motion. Despite being so many years above her, you'd heard all about how Hermione Granger was the brightest witch of her age, prefect in the making and overall teacher's pet. Perhaps it wasn't the kindest reputation to have, but it seemed to have been well earned even with the rumours of her various adventures in her first and second year.

At the start of your seventh year, she was the same girl you remembered. Then there was That Fight with Ron Weasley when his rat disappeared, and afterwards school was her entire life. Sometimes she was with Harry but more often she was alone, surrounded by a mountain of books. She was taking no more than you and others had, but when your workload was getting too much you'd speak to the professors. You'd ask for extensions for essays if you were behind on the reading, or ask if it'd be possible to have a one to one session if there was a concept in an assignment that was going over your head.

The problem was, you felt, that Hermione didn't have any outlet. There were no clubs or activities, no hanging out just to have fun. You weren't even sure if she had any friends outside of Harry, Ron and Ginny. She was never with anyone else, if she was with anyone at all.

You approached Professor Flitwick once about it, and he assured you that he'd keep a close eye. That night Sirius Black broke into the castle, and quite frankly you forgot to follow up on it and presumably the professor did too.

Your exams rolled around, but you kept up with your friendship groups. You found time to unwind, to do non-schoolwork related things. Life is all about balance. Moments are so fleeting, you have to cherish each day. Even more so if you're using a time turner - those are extra hours to enjoy life. An extra hour to catch up on sleep, half hour to go flying or play gobstones or exploding snap. You'd done all those things during your OWLs, and although you couldn't turn back time during your NEWT revision, you'd mastered the art of time management.

You didn't see Hermione turn back to her normal skin colour until after her exams were done. You didn't see her look relaxed, like she was enjoying life for nearly a year. That made you feel incredibly sad.

Your final year was over and you were moving onwards and upwards in the world, but you had treasured memories that were partially added to because of a time turner. It taught you to value the time you had in "reality", to appreciate the small things because you realised how easily different paths could form. You couldn't help but think that was the best lesson from your entire Hogwarts career - to not waste time on the unimportant things, to balance work and life.

You had the maximum amount of OWLs and NEWTs. You had a wealth of memories to cherish for the rest of your life. You couldn't help but pity Hermione Granger for losing a year of hers for no real gain.

[potterandpreferences]

Small Town Life

They say that when you meet "the one", you just know. And maybe that's true for some, but it certainly wasn't true for you.

The Cullens were an odd family, there was no two ways about that, but they were always polite when they stopped by the shop you worked in. Small town life meant there wasn't a lot of vacancies for recent high school graduates, and so you found yourself stacking the same old shelves whilst listening to the new version of the same old gossip.

It was the same when any new comers arrived in Forks. Were they rich? Were they single? How many of them were there? It was like stepping into a Jane Austen novel.

Everyone knew all about the Cullens of course. The teens told their parents, the hospital staff told their neighbours, and so on and so forth until everyone knew that the young Dr. and Mrs. Cullen had adopted five teenagers (one had just finished high school, and the other four were split between two different high school year groups). Two of the teens were neice and nephew of Mrs. Cullen, and the rest were from the foster system as she couldn't have kids.

It bothered you how judgy people were about that little tidbit, but you held your tongue because if you didn't then you'd probably be fired from the part-time job you'd now held for three years for berating every other customer that gossiped at the checkout.

The Cullens themselves seemed to take turns doing the shopping. Usually it was Mrs. Cullen herself, but the teens also took turns at the chore and sometimes Dr. Cullen would buy a bunch of flowers for his wife. It resulted in you meeting all the Cullens at some point, and whilst you acknowledged that they were very pretty to look at, you didn't lose your head and you could have a decent conversation with them - unlike the new Saturday cashier who blushed something fierce whenever they came in and could only squeak the transaction total at them.

You wouldn't admit it out loud - you'd be the centre of gossip for a week - but Jasper was your favourite. He moved with his family for his gap year, choosing not to go straight into university life. You bonded over that as you yourself were taking a gap year to save up some money. He was the second most regular to visit, having more free time than his siblings.

You never asked him about his past. It felt weird to pry at the checkout of all places as to why he lived with aunt (even if you were somewhat curious). Instead you talked about any books he was reading, or how much he was enjoying seeing his siblings suffer with endless amounts of homework. He'd always ask things back too, and whilst the questions merely scratched the surface of who the each of you were as people, there was always a friendly tone to the conversation, something more than just polite chitchat.

But that was as far as your encounters went. Time passed by and before you knew it they'd been in town for half a year. The Cullens didn't - nor had they ever - dominated your thoughts day to day. You treated them the way you did all casual acquaintances and then moved on with your day. It was therefore a surprise when you're interactions did change, on a typical rainy Thursday.

You'd just started your shift when Mrs. Stanley came over to the aisle you were in. She'd heard through the grapevine that James Mallory had asked you on a date, and was gushing about what a cute couple you'd be. It was incredibly awkward. You'd agreed to the date as you and James had always gotten along in school and he was pretty much the only other graduate to still be in Forks. It was a date, sure, but you didn't really think it would progress into a fully blown relationship. You were no childhood sweethearts.

Still, you remained polite to Mrs. Stanley. You spotted Jasper in store but he never came over to say hello. You had your date a few days later, but it was weeks before you saw Jasper again.

You asked Mrs. Cullen once if Jasper was okay, and she seemed overly pleased that you'd asked. She claimed he was just busy applying for colleges. She then asked about your new boyfriend, to which you laughed and told her you didn't have one. The date with James went well, but you both realised you were better off as friends.

You bumped into Jasper a day later. For once you weren't at work, but rather on one of the easier and popular hiking trails. He asked to join you and you easily agreed. Conversation flowed easily, as if no time had passed at all between the last time you spoke to him. You asked how his college applications were going, and he asked how work was going. Sometimes he'd refer to things you'd spoken to Mrs. Cullen about, and you'd be momentarily endeared that your casual conversations were interesting enough to be worth repeating.

As the trail turned to start heading back towards the start point, Jasper surprised you by asking when your next day off work was. He further surprised you by shyly asking if you'd like to accompany him on a date - any activity of your choosing. There was no hesitation before you accepted, and he smiled brighter than the sun in response. It was the first time you'd seen him smile, really smile, and it momentarily left you stunned. After exchanging numbers, you parted ways excited at the prospect of seeing each other again soon.

And that is how you found yourself excited for a date in three days time, and trying to work out how on earth that would be kept quiet from the gossips

[potterandpreferences]

"She's smiles too much."

By the time Jane Bennet turned three and twenty, she had long since learned to keep a smile on her face no matter the situation. She had learned that an unequal marriage was something to fear. Most importantly, she had learned that she could not be picky choosing a husband.

When she and Elizabeth were younger, they made a promise to each other that they would only marry for the deepest of loves. It made it easy to recover when the man who wrote her poems as a courting method chose to marry someone in London for their much larger dowry. She could not think of him as mercenary for his actions, though her mother surely lamented the entail with renewed vigour for a solid month and a half afterwards, and she herself did not regret his leaving then because her heart remained untouched. But she had only been out in society for a year at that point, and in the six following years no one new had arrived in Meryton who could be considered a suitable match. Her promise was wavering.

Elizabeth was her closest confidante but their views on the actions of others differed wildly. For example, Elizabeth believed Mr. Turner to be inconstant and insincere. The moment he married for money forever condemned him as one of the worst gentleman to ever cross their paths. Jane, however, was more realistic. Mr. Turner was to inherit an estate upon his father's death to be sure, but the estate was in need of vast improvements to remain profitable. Jane's meagre dowry just would not go far enough to reinvest into the estate and support the lifestyle in which they were accustomed. She sincerely hoped he was very happy with his wife as quite frankly, she did not believe her family were so different. Jane needed to marry someone who could support her mother and unmarried sisters when her father passed away. Was she mercenary too?

Jane liked to think the best of people because it brought her no joy to assume the worst of them. Whilst often assigning superior morals to those who did not perhaps truly deserve them, no harm ever befell her for thinking better of people than was warranted. Perhaps one day she would have to adjust her thinking (there was a case where the stablehand was helping himself to the food supplies to the detriment of the other servants and tenants but really, can anyone blame a desperate father?), but for now it gave her greater pleasure to think well of the people who surrounded her every day.

Although Elizabeth never said it aloud, Jane knew her sister thought her naïve. Jane allowed the assumption. People tended to be quite open when they believe someone to be unassuming and nonjudgmental, and Jane truly did not mind being the person her sisters and friends turned to when they were troubled. Mary and Kitty in particular would never turn to Elizabeth for comfort out of fear of being ridiculed and later teased by her sometimes insensitive witty remarks. Whilst the matriarch of the Lucas family had a rivalry with her mother, she was always friendly to Jane purely because Jane was always genuinely happy for the Lucas' good fortune despite whatever Mrs. Bennet thought about their luck. Jane's serenity effectively disarmed others from ever truly trying to cause her distress. Thus, from the moment she was out in society, she maintained her demure mask so well it became a core part of her personality.

When Mr. Bingley arrived the year she turned two and twenty, Jane smiled. She smiled because she took pleasure in his company. She smiled because for the first time ever she could envision a future with someone, who she could love and who could support family. She smiled so that she could pretend she could neither see nor hear her family's impropriety and his sisters' disdain at every gathering. She smiled because he paid her his attentions and ignored them all too.

When he left, she smiled because he would be back soon. She smiled to avoid the pitying looks three weeks later from the four and twenty families in the area who all expected her to be devastated that he had not returned after raising all expectations. She smiled because he might soon be engaged to Miss Darcy and that would please him and his family. She smiled because he was the most amiable man she had ever met, and she was honoured to have had his attentions at least for a little while. She smiled because she was heartbroken but she still had her duty to do.

Her promise shattered.

[potterandpreferences]

are you doing more parts for seeker, and if so could I maybe please be added to the tag list? amazing writing lovely xx

Thank you so much! Yes, I will be doing more parts. I have a draft sitting in the box as we speak 👀 I've added you to the tag list, so you should be notified when that goes up 😊

[potterandpreferences]

Being a Weasley sister would include?

Being a Weasley sister would include:

The Burrow is an absolute madhouse at the best of times. Privacy is a luxury you can rarely afford.

If you were the only female child then perhaps that would be different, but as it is you share a room with Ginny and that means everything you own that fits the pair of you often gets shared

No matter what age you are, all of your brothers are Big Brothers TM

If someone even so much as looks at you in a way that could be even slightly non-platonic, up puff their chests as and down go the eye brows

In your opinion ,Crookshanks is more threatening but for some reason, other people seem to find the patented Weasley Brother Glare to be terrifying

You get used to pranks. It teaches you the skill of laughing at yourself, and also the skill of getting payback

You know what they say about revenge.

Best served cold, and you have a long memory when it comes to Fred and George's antics

... Which is perhaps why they avoid pranking you in the first place.

You grow up with an appreciation of all things muggle as well as all things magical.

You bond with Arthur Weasley over muggle items in the shed, when he's helping you avoid bedtime.

You bond with Molly Weasley over the gardening, making sure that there is plenty of food for the ten of you to eat.

You bond with your siblings over flying, chess, a deep seated hatred of Lockhart and how star struck your mother gets over him

It's very rare to have family holidays. Sometimes it's hard not to resent being poor, but there will always be something to remind of you everything you do have

You may not be able to afford the latest and greatest fashion trends like the other students, but your Christmas jumper? It's homemade. It's tailor made to you. It's your favourite colour. It's a tradition.

That doesn't even cover everything else that your mother made from scratch, and you know she made it all with love

There is a Weasley temper

It's not all rainbows and sunshine and getting over envy and bitterness

There's ten of you, with different personality types, hobbies, interests and needs, all in one household.

Inevitably things get fraught some times

You know you shouldn't have favourites among your siblings, not really, but you do anyway because some of them are just more suited to your own personality.

Occasionally, this can make it feel like battle lines have been drawn

There's nothing that affects the entire household more than when Fred and George are on opposite sides of the issue though.

That's when problems get resolved most quickly and you all privately know this

That's why, at least once, you have all individually gone to the twins and asked them to fake a falling out over whatever is causing the latest family drama.

The most important thing about being a Weasley sister though?

It's that it teaches you to be whoever you damn well want to be

You want to go pro at quidditch? You have plenty enough siblings to form two teams to practice, to teach you to fly, to show you the latest drills the teams in the league are using

You want to work with animals? Charlie is right there with a list of contacts and recommendations, with his own experiences from his education and moving to another country to work

You want something in the Ministry of Magic? Percy is a walking, talking encyclopaedia of all things Ministry, and Arthur is on excellent terms with people from all departments

Whatever you want to do, you have a cheerleader squad backing your every move. Maybe not all of them, not all at once, but eventually they will all be on board and supporting you 100%

You have a big family who loves you and their biggest wish is for you to be true to who you are and love yourself too.

[potterandpreferences]

The Way To A Man's Heart

Pairing: Ron Weasley x Reader

Setting: Half-Blood Prince; For the purposes of this one-shot, Ron dated Lavender in OotP

When you and Ron had started dating, a lot of people were convinced it would not last. Apparently, the school cohort was under the impression that he and Hermione were going to be the Hogwarts power couple. You could kind of see where they were coming from; there had been a lot of petty jealousy on both sides and there had been a sense that it was playground pigtail pulling. And yet, you couldn't help but think that those people were also selectively blind to how toxic that sort of relationship could be. Honestly if it wasn't for Harry, you didn't believe Ron and Hermione would still be friends six years down the line.

As it was, you had come to be somewhat of a secret friend to Ron Weasley. When he was at odds with his two best mates, he could find some solace in your company. Whether it was playing exploding snap, hanging out on the quidditch pitch (even if your feet stayed firmly on the ground some of the time), or - despite what others would believe - doing homework together in the library.

As a consequence of spending so much time with him one to one, it didn't take long to learn some of Ron's tells. When he was really, truly upset, he went off his food. When he was irritated, he preferred something like a pumpkin pasty or a sandwich, something he could tear into. When he was happy, he'd try some of everything, content with a little of lots until he went in for seconds. When he was feeling a bit down or worried, his preference of choice was a hearty stew followed by a warm apple pie with ice cream, something that reminded him of home.

This particular day it was sunny and one of the warmest thus far. Spring was slowly transitioning into summer, and with it exam season was upon the students of Hogwarts. Sixth year didn't count in the same way that seventh year would, but your continued presence in all your chosen subjects depended on passing all of their exams. And so, along with the sunshine, fifth years and up were also being subjected to the heat fueled by their ever increasing panic, which made sitting outside with a nice cool breeze all the more tempting.

You had been attempting to study in the library, but the librarian had all the windows firmly shut and it got a bit too stuffy for your liking. You checked out the books you required for your first exam, and ambled down the corridors in search of an empty courtyard. It was as you were descending the stairs to the first floor that you noticed a certain redhead stomping towards the doors that led outside, with the proverbial storm cloud raging above his head.

Concerned, you followed. He didn't slow his pace or give any indication that he knew he was being followed, something which raised even more alarm bells. Ron, as a by-product of living with the twins, was usually very aware of someone being on his tail. Ron's long legs carried him to the shore of the Black Lake. He followed the edge around to a little outcrop coated in pebbles and stones. These he grabbed at roughly, before launching them out towards the water with a growl.

"Ron? Are you okay? What's happened?" You approached cautiously, making plenty of noise as you walked closer so that your voice didn't startle Ron into accidentally throwing any remaining stones at you.

"Hermione bloody Granger is what happened!" He yelled.

You made a soft sound of understanding at his near shout. "Want to tell me what she did this time?"

Ron sighed, tossing the last stone into the water as he stared at the horizon for a long moment. Then, he sat down on the roots of a nearby tree and started to explain.

"I was revising for transfiguration. Had one of my old essays out for vanishing vertebrates, you know? Figured looking at where I went wrong on something that's bound to come up on the exam would be a good idea."

"I take it Hermione had different views on the matter?" It really had become something of a thing that your entire year and to an extent the years below knew. Never, ever do anything to get Granger started on how you should be studying, and Ron's mirthless chuckle did nothing to change your previous notion.

"She freaked the hell out. Started having a go at me for having got a P on an essay in the first place, told me it was useless trying to learn from rubbish like that, and then told me if I'd followed her revision schedule I'd have already covered the topic and at this point should be onto the practical wand work," Ron spat venemously.

"You know she's wrong, don't you?" It wasn't uncommon for Hermione to tell Ron that he was doing something wrong, and you knew that being told something repeatedly would make the thought that much harder to shake. How many more times would Ron be able to take unproductive, callous criticism from a snobby know-it-all before the thoughts became a fundamental part of his psyche?

"I know but... she just makes me feel like an idiot! I don't get the theory behind magic at a drop of a hat like she does! Hell, most of us don't. But you make one little mistake in your homework and she gets so bloody condescending," Ron sighed. Many thought he was lazy when he tried to get Hermione to do his homework. In truth, it was so he knew what she was expecting in the essay to avoid a rant - her, not the teacher!

"It sounds like it's gotten worse than normal. Actually it sounds like how she behaved when you dated Lavender last year," you commented. To be fair, dating was a very loose term for what Ron and Lavender got up to. It was too public to be just friends with benefits, but there weren't really any romantic feelings. The PDA was a bit much at times, but it was rarely ever Ron that initiated those instances.

"Ugh, don't remind me. I still have the scars from them birds! Mental, she is," he exclaimed. And yet, as you looked closely, you can't help but notice the tips of his ears were getting very red.

"Wait a minute - you're not dating Lavender again are you?!" His eyes widen in shock and he shakes his head, waving his hands in adamant protest.

"Merlin, no! I don't even - " He pulled a face of disgust. "I mean, I dunno, can't believe I dated her in the first place I suppose. Seems like a lifetime ago."

He was lying (you could tell from the way he fumbled for an explanation), but that was okay. You knew the sentiment was true even if he was sidestepping what he was honestly thinking about. You were curious, but you weren't going to push it. This wasn't the time for an interrogation by any means. Thus, you decided to change the topic entirely.

"Do you still feel up to studying some transfiguration? I have some books from the library and all my notes. I even have some cauldron cakes." When he refused both the studying and the food, you smiled sadly at him. "Okay. Well how about we go down to the quidditch pitch?"

And that was exactly what the pair of you did. You didn't feel like flying, so you sat in the stands and watched as Ron flew for a couple hours. He zoomed around the pitch in patterns you recognised from quidditch practice drills, before enchanting the practice quaffle so that he could work on his keeper skills. You called Dobby when you were sure Ron wasn't looking, and when Ron eventually joined you in stands, it was to find a delicious bowl filled with a generous helping or rhubarb and apple crumble waiting for him.

"I thought you might have worked up a bit of an appetite. Some of those drills looked tough," you admitted when he stared silently in surprise, mouth gaping.

"It's like you read my mind!" was all Ron managed to say before he was practically inhaling the food, shovel sized spoonfuls disappearing with complete gratitude no matter how swift.

"I just know you, Ron," you laughed. It should gross you out how much he ate so quickly, but his only fault at foodtime was talking with his mouth full. None ever spilled on his clothes, and his chin was remarkably clean.

When the pudding was half gone, Ron slowed down enough to process what you had said. "How d'you mean, you know me?"

"Well, when you're really upset, you don't want to eat, but flying makes you happy. When you've had a fight with Hermione, you usually tend to prefer something filling and pies and crumbles are your go to when you're feeling a bit down still."

He stared at you like he'd never seen you before. No one else had ever noticed - or at least mentioned - knowing what he liked to eat and when. Oh sure, lots of people had commented on his appetite and knew him not having much of one was a sign something was wrong, but the nuances? What food went with what situation? That was all you.

And, he realised as he ate in companionable silence next to you, this wasn't the first time you knew what he wanted to eat after having a falling out with his friends or stressed out about exams. The cauldron cakes you had in your bag, he liked to eat them when he was feeling nervous about school work. He rarely saw you eat them though so... did you keep some in your bag just for him? And there were all those other times too, when you just seemed to know when he was actually hungry and when he was just bored.

There was a plethora of things unique about his relationship with you that he adored, and he had sort of had thoughts that weren't strictly platonic about you, but this little insight into how much you knew about the things that went unsaid was what made what he was about to do next feel so incredibly right.

"Er, Y/N, I was wondering... would you like to go on a date some time?"

[potterandpreferences]

Bold of you to assume you aren't in their friendship group @themarauderstheoutsidersandpeggy

I’m in such a marauders mood like 

I just love them?? I just want to be part of their friend group?? Please??

[potterandpreferences]

Blurb Prompts

(Feel free to share! If requesting, let me know if you want something other than a gender neutral reader 🙂)

1. How dare you?!

2. Congratulations. You’re alive.

3. Talk to me.

4. Did somebody say ice cream?

5. I promise.

6. Please don’t leave me.

7. Nightmares, again?

8. You. Me. Date?

9. A kiss will make me feel better

10. It’s not that simple!

11. Move over.

12. It’s a good thing I love you, goofball.

13. Give me one good reason why I should trust you

14. Did you hear?

15. You’ve never told me that

16. You’re an idiot.

17. Look at me.

18. Is that my sweater/jersey?

19. Give me cuddles?

20. You lied to me!

21. You know you love me

22. Who did I piss off in a past life?

23. Kill me

24. Something smells good

25. Tell the truth

26. My heart is racing

27. Don’t be a wuss

28. You can do it

29. What? Sweetheart?

30. Aww, don’t be like that

31. Shut up

32. Can I kiss you?

33. Your hands are freezing

34. It’s mine now

35. Don’t you dare!

36. Do it for me?

37. That’s real cute. Still not helping you though.

38. I’m not adorable

39. Damn right, I’m angry!

40. Are you crying? Shit. Please stop. What do I do? Is there a manual for this?

41. Just 5 more minutes

42. Ummm… can I help you?

43. Who are you and what have you done with ____?

44. I should get paid for this

45. What’s the point?

46. Make me.

47. What on Earth is that smell?

48. Is that you?

49. You were right

50. Are you bribing me?

51. I don’t know if I can trust you any more

52. I’m sorry for your loss

53. You never apologize. Do you just not feel remorse?

54. I’m sorry I’m late / Not really a surprise, is it? You being late.

55. C'mon. You’re staying at mine tonight.

56. Go away

57. It’s too hot

58. I’m so proud of you

59. I’ll be there with you, every step of the way

60. ____ solves everything

[potterandpreferences]

You know what? 381920% certain this is the sort of crap Bill Weasley had to put up with as the eldest sibling left on babysitting duty

Don’t Run With Sharp Objects

(( OOC: Ginny played by: @asklilyluna )) 

[potterandpreferences]

Or when a favourite character leaves a tv series!

When the writers kill off one of your favorite characters

[potterandpreferences]

Sugar and Spice

@shydinosaurcreator I don't actually write smut but I felt bad not answering, so I played with the request to make a fairly sfw oneshot with some dom/sub undertones and implied smut at the end. I hope you like it all the same!

There were some days when Remus Lupin was convinced he was dating a perpetual child. At 18 years old, he rather thought that his boyfriend should have calmed down somewhat, or have learnt enough in the seven years they'd been at Hogwarts to not get caught after setting off one of his ridiculous pranks. Alas, Sirius liked the attention of the school cohort a little too much, and thus found himself once again in detention. This time it was with their Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, no doubt to give the other professors a break.

With James off somewhere with Lily, and Peter hanging out with Alice and Frank, Remus found himself at something of a loose end. He supposed he ought to study - N.E.W.Ts were just weeks away, and there was a lot of material to cover. However, he found himself unable to concentrate on revision and reluctant to work on any outstanding assignments, not when he had the beginnings of a headache. Instead, he opted to retreat to his dormitory, thinking that perhaps a lie down would make him feel better. He settled himself on top of the duvet, the June weather making it much too hot to wrap himself up in the blankets, and tried to get comfy. A few minutes of shifting around later, and Remus discovered something about his boyfriend that he'd never known before.

Beneath the pillows was a diary. Of course, he didn't know it was a diary at first. It looked like a textbook, which was why he investigated the book further because as described, it only looked like a textbook. Remus could feel the trace of charm work on the supposedly hardback book.

Sitting up, back resting against the headboard, Remus investigated further cautiously, not knowing what spells had been placed upon the object. Knowing his roommates, this could be a prank item. It wasn't as though they didn't prank each other occasionally. Pulling his wand out, he waved it methodically over the book, the patterns following the order of spells he tried. Revelio was followed by Aparecium. This was proceeded by Finite incantatem, which took care of the final enchantments. A plain leather bound journal was revealed, no markings on either the front or back covers to indicate who it belonged to, or indeed what it was. Carefully, and fully expecting some backlash, Remus flicked through the pages, stopping at a random page. His quick glance was enough to tell him that the book belonged to Sirius, but it wasn't until he started skimming the text that he realised it was a diary.

A dusting of pink crossed Remus' cheeks as he read the very vivid fantasies Sirius had imagined and written down in the journal. Well, Remus thought, this explains why I've never seen him write in it.

He flicked through some other pages, hurt and anger suppressing feelings of guilt as he searched for all of Sirius' thoughts and wishes and hopes about their relationship. He knew he had no right to carry on reading, but it seemed that he couldn't trust Sirius to actually communicate with him. Remus couldn't help but feel he'd failed as a boyfriend by not even noticing that that facet of their relationship wasn't satisfying Sirius.

With no more pages to read, Remus set the journal down, staring up at the canopy of his four-poster bed. Remus didn't know if Sirius had left the diary for him to find deliberately or if it was a moment of carelessness brought about by the anticipation of a reckless prank but, regardless of the cause, there was no way Remus would be letting this go. A talk with his boyfriend was long overdue.

Sirius, on his part, had entirely forgotten where he'd stashed his journal that morning. The bathroom door opening had forced him to hide it, and seeing Remus with just a towel wrapped around his hips had scattered his thoughts more thoroughly than the wind scattered dandelion fairies. Thus, he was surprised when he returned to the dormitory a few hours later to find Remus in a shirt, tie and sweater vest, still wearing school trousers and shoes. He was stood beside his neatly made bed, and Sirius blanched when he saw that his journal, glamour spells absent, was in Remus' hands.

"I rather think we need to talk, don't you?" Remus asked rhetorically, one eyebrow slightly arched as he observed Sirius' fidgeting form. "Sit down, Sirius."

Sirius did as requested, perching himself on the edge of the bed. Remus thought it somewhat endearing when Sirius practically gulped when he shut and locked the door and cast a privacy with a couple of precise flicks of his wand. This was not a conversation he wanted James or Peter to intrude upon.

"You, um, read it?" Sirius winced at the awkward stiltedness of his own question, licking his lips nervously.

"I did. Why did you not tell me what you needed, Sirius? You know how important honesty is to me."

Remus had not seen Sirius hunch up like he was trying to make himself smaller when being scolded since the incident a couple of years back when he exposed Remus' secret to Severus Snape. The insight into Sirius' mind courtesy of the journal allowed Remus to piece together the similar factors between that situation and this, but it essentially boiled down to disappointment. Sirius did not like feeling as though he'd let down his chosen family, Remus in particular. Remus felt silly for not noticing that Sirius' willingness to please partially stemmed from a desire to avoid disappointing Remus, but he had no issue on capitalising on that fact now.

Remus watched Sirius carefully, noticing the nervous tick his boyfriend had as he figured out what to say. "I didn't really think you'd be into, er, that sort of stuff. I mean, it's not exactly normal, is it? No point in making things awkward because I like, well, you know..." Sirius gestured helplessly at the diary, relieved when Remus nodded and he could stop fumbling for an answer.

"You're right," Remus replied. "There are some things that I don't think I'd be comfortable doing. But," he paused, moving to stand in front of Sirius and using his hand to tilt his head back to keep eye contact, "there are some things that definitely interest me, and they could be a normal part of our relationship."

Remus felt a rush of pride at the blush dusting Sirius' face, an amused smirk crossing his face when Sirius was only capable of making a strangled sort of whine at the prospect of some of his hidden fantasies turning into reality.

"What do you think, Sirius?" Remus sat beside his partner on the bed, one hand still entangled in Sirius' hair. "Will you be my good boy?"

An emphatic 'yes' was all the answer he needed.

[potterandpreferences]

I am so close to 300 followers! I'm thinking a celebration is in order 🎉

[potterandpreferences]

Can you please reblog if your blog is a safe place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, pansexual, non binary, demisexual or any other kind of queer or questioning people? Because mine is.

[potterandpreferences]

Just a heads up: I'm either going to be posting loads or not at all in the next few days. Grief is a funny thing and I honestly don't know how it will impact me.

[potterandpreferences]

Introspection

"L/N, Y/F/N." Breathing shakily, you pushed your way through the remaining first years waiting to be sorted. As you perched on the stool, you tried not to think about the hundreds of eyes fixed in your direction. It was somewhat of a relief to have the Sorting Hat obscure your view, even if the sudden voice inside your head scared the living daylights out of you.

It could have been seconds, it could have been minutes. All you knew was that when the hat was lifted off your head, it was to the Gryffindor table cheering. You scampered over quickly, taking a seat and willing your heart to slow the heck back down.

You weren't quite sure why Gryffindor became your house. There wasn't a time in all your eleven years that you could have been considered 'courageous'. But, you mused as the ghosts started chatting to the first years as the sorting ended and the feast began, there were different types of bravery. There was bravery in being able to let go and say goodbye to a beloved pet and family member. There was bravery in accepting that the world was so much bigger than you thought. There was bravery in going to a boarding school hundreds of miles away from home rather than that secondary school fifteen minutes away from home.

Perhaps, you couldn't help considering, the Sorting Hat saw the potential for bravery deep inside of you. Some inherent 'core memory' that made it a fundamental characteristic. Of course, there was also the option that you subconsciously valued bravery more than ambition, a positive work ethic or knowledge for the sake of knowledge. You didn't really have House prejudices (how could a muggle born form them?) but you did have a limited understanding of the core values of each House, outside of what the Sorting Hat mentioned.

Looking down the table towards the Seventh Years, you wondered if they were brave inherently or because they were told they were in the house of the brave. It seemed bizarre that something you valued or had the potential to be at eleven years old would become a definite just because of your House.

Throughout the Great Hall, no table seemed unhappy. Not for their own Sorting or friendship group. No one was looking longingly at another House, although you weren't ignorant towards the quiet jeers a few of the older students near you made when the first years were Sorted.

Then and there you decided you didn't only want to be brave. What was bravery if you didn't take risks? And what was the point in taking those risks if you didn't have the ability to work for the favourable outcome, to have an understanding of all facets of the situation and be daring enough to try and get what you want out of it? No, you would much rather try to embody all the traits from each House. Only then would you be well rounded, and there was certainly no harm in interhouse unity.

Credit to the creator of the gif!

[potterandpreferences]

The Littlest Marauder

Summary: James Potter and his sister in all but blood (child!reader) make plans to meet over the summer.

"Jamie! Jamie! Jamie!" Y/N raced excitedly towards her honorary brother, launching herself fearlessly into his arms the moment she was close enough. Years of quidditch training allowed fifteen year old James Potter to catch the young girl effortlessly, settling the rambunctious child on his hip.

"Well hey there, munchkin!" He beamed, pressing an affection kiss to her forehead. "Are you excited for the summer?"

Y/N nodded enthusiastically, eyes lighting up. "Uh huh! Mum says that we'll have a weekend down in Margate. We're gonna go to the beach and go to Dreamland." It wasn't often that the Evans family got to go on holiday, but with Lily at a boarding school and Petunia working, Mr. and Mrs. Evans were able to save up enough money for the trip. "We're gonna go for mum's birthday, on the fifth of August."

James filed that information away. Whilst he may not get along with Lily Evans, despite his best efforts, he'd struck up a genuine friendship with Y/N Evans. They met the first time Lily came to Hogwarts, on this very platform at Kings Cross. Y/N got separated from her family once they crossed through the barrier onto Platform 9 ¾, and it had been James who helped the little girl - then just five years old - find her parents again. Unfortunately, Lily missed this act of kindness, and the tone of their friendship was set the moment James turned on Snivellus for wanting to be a Slytherin.

Since then, Y/N always came over to speak to James whenever she saw him at the platform. Sometimes he would ask his parents to wait a while so he could have a decent catch up, something Mr. and Mrs. Evans allowed because after that incident at the train station, Y/N hadn't shut up about James for weeks. From James' second year onwards, he received muggle birthday and christmas presents. He sent sketches of the magical world in return, and the odd wizarding child's toy that wouldn't get him in trouble with the Ministry (or Y/N's parents or his own).

Somewhere along the line, Y/N had declared him her big brother. As such, he'd introduced her to those he considered to be his brothers. Namely, Peter, Sirius and Remus.

"Dreamland huh? What's that?" James asked, tempted to pop along for a visit.

"It's an amusement park. There's lots of rides to go on, like the Scenic Railway and the Ferris Wheel. Do wizards have amusement parks?" Y/N asked, curious about the differences between the wizarding and muggle worlds. She couldn't imagine not having amusement parks to go to. Did wizards have holiday destinations like that?

James hummed in consideration, setting Y/N on her feet. Keeping a firm hold on her hand, he led her towards the Marauders. "Oi! How'd you boys fancy going to an amusement park?"

Remus frowned, before catching sight of Y/N and a knowing expression crossed his scarred features. "Really, James? She'll kill you."

"Y/N would like us to come too, wouldn't you?" James asked, grinning smugly when Y/N agreed and began telling Remus all about this Dreamland thing. Whilst Remus was keeping his psuedo-sister occupied, James set about planning the trip with Sirius, who was always curious about the muggle world even if only to spite his family.

Without five minutes it was decided that they'd all go, joining them the day after Mrs. Evans' birthday. Y/N was sworn to secrecy, and promptly confused all the boys when she drew her fingers across her lips. Y/N was still explaining what the action (zipping her lips) meant when her parents came over to collect her.

"Y/N, sweetheart, we need to get going now." Y/N pouted, but after giving one last hug to James and a farewell wave to the others, she obediently slipped her hand into her mum's and left with her family.

James shook his head fondly. "We need to hurry up and get a nickname for her. She can't be Marauder Junior forever."

Remus snorted. "You're the only one that calls her that. The rest of us just use MJ, which she quite likes."

James cuffed Remus round the back of the head playfully. Sirius joined in, defending Moony (because canines always stuck together, apparently) whilst Wormy helped him. They didn't get too boisterous - it was too crowded still for that - but by the time they went their separate ways with plans to take the Knight Bus to Margate on the 6th, all four were lightly flushed and slightly out of breath. James was quite excited, really. A bit of a holiday with his little sister? He couldn't wait!

NB: Dreamland is a real place in Margate, Kent. It was very popular in the 60s and 70s.

[potterandpreferences]

It has been months since I've heard this version and I've fallen in love with it all over again. Couldn't resist sharing! ❤ 🎹