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@beatingheart-bride
It should be a given, she said. It should be a given.
But it wasn't, was it? Both Randall and Elizabeth knew that all too well. It should be a given, Emily and Dorian were both right in that regard...but unfortunately, that just wasn't a guarantee.
Which was why it was so genuinely surprising, so genuinely touching, when someone did treat them like human beings, not just like mere laborers who should be grateful they were given such jobs that made them "useful" at best, or scum of the Earth that should be seldom seen and heard even less so at worst. They shouldn't have to be surprised by the kindness of their fellow man (least of all from the very people they planned to wed), and they knew it...
…but they were just the same.
Still, both of them tried to put these less-than-happy musings out of their minds as Elizabeth let Dorian hold her close, her heart soaring at the sensation of his arms around her waist, as Randall gave Emily a long and tender kiss, his heart skipping a beat at the touch of her lips against his, both of them silently thanking the heavens for these two wonderful lovers, who blessed their lives the way they did, who made their worlds a merrier place to live, even when it didn't seem so.
And provided the plan continued to go off without a hitch, it could be a merry life they could truly share, both Elizabeth and Randall silently promising to makes the lives of Dorian and Emily as joyous and wonderful as they made theirs.
#((i know! past efforts to have a long-running rp blog had kinda fallen through))#((and i guess i assumed this blog would be no different...but then i was proven wrong ultimately))#((and i'm glad for it! i love this fandom; this rp community; and this character))#((who i'm so proud to have seen grow and evolve over the years since i've started this blog))#((and i can't wait to see how he continues to grow and evolve from here on out))#((as i've got no plans to stop anytime soon either!))#((and they really do compliment one another! they may come from different walks of life))#((different classes; different experiences; and so people might assume they have nothing in common))#((they don't see how they could be an item; but after talking to them; seeing them together))#((there's really no great mystery to it; they love each other!))#((they love each other; they make each other happy; they are kindred spirits))#((again; there's no great mystery to it at all; it's just true; deep; unabashed love!))#outofhatboxes#beatingheart-bride#V:Days of Future Past
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Jason swore loudly and had to resist the urge to throw his controller down, pissed that he kept dying cause of the game's stupid glitches (Also known as own mistakes). Still, he regained his composure, and smiled before saying
"Alright chat, we're gonna finish up this one and then we're gonna move on to another game. There should be a poll on top for what we do next"
Jason was a moderately successfully game streamer, averaging about 200 to 300 viewers a night, entirely based on his wit and skill. He knew for sure that they weren't coming for his looks, given his weedy, thin frame, overly pimpled face and large, nerdy glasses. Still, it was enough for him, and he was happy with the progress that he'd made.
As Jason got himself set up for the next game, he heard a shocking sound from above him. The victory theme from one of his favorite JRPGs was blaring through the speakers, and he came up, staring at the screen in shock. He knew what that sound meant. That meant someone had tipped him one thousand dollars, completely out of nowhere.
He looked in shock at the notification on the stream, seeing that it was from someone named JockBro69, with the simple message "Can't wait to get to know you better, cutie~"
Jason was completely stunned. Not only had someone actually redeemed the donation goal that he set as a joke (That being that whoever was stupid enough to tip 1000 dollars got to have a 15 minute private chat with him), it was also someone that he'd never seen in his chat before.
Thoroughly weirded out, but knowing that he had to honor his commitment, he sent the guy a quick private message.
"Dude, I don't know how to thank you enough! Guess I'll see ya pretty soon!"
With that, he sent the man his private zoom link, and said goodbye to the chat, who were still going wild over this turn of events, before pausing,the stream and hopping over to discord for the call.
Not two seconds after his stream stopped, he got a requested video call on discord from the guy, and he opened it up, giving a second for the video to load, but when it did, he was completely dumbfounded again. He was expecting the mysterious donator to be some fat, sweaty silicon valley nerd with too much and money on his hands, but instead what met him was possibly the hottest man he's ever seen, standing up and looking down at his webcam with a friendly expression.
"Fuck, bro! Its so good to finally fucking meet you, I've been such a big fan for a long time, and this is a really big deal for me~
The man had a deep, rumbling, pleasant voice, that shot straight down Jacob's spine and left him feeling strangely... inadequate. Like the fact that his voice wasn't as smooth or melodic as this guy's was his fault, and he should be ashamed of that fact. Still, this guy was pretty pleasant to look at, Jason had to admit. He wasn't gay, definitely not, but he could acknowledge when another guy simply looked good.
Jason scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, not entirely sure of what he should do or say. Still, this guy spent 1000 dollars on this meeting, so he had to try anyway.
"So, umm.... I see your username is jockbro69... What's your actual name thought? I don't think I've ever seen you in chat before..."
The other man actually laughed at this, before looking confused and saying
"What are you talking about bro? Its me, Ethan! I'm in your chat all the time! Man, I guess what they say about playing games so much is true, huh?"
At this statement, Jason actually went pale with shock. THIS was Ethan? This was the guy who's username used to be runningLink? Who was an active fan of the zelda series, constantly begged Jason to play them, and bemoaned the fact that no would date him? It just didn't seem right...
Still, Jason, ever the semi professional, continued on, pretending that he wasn't shocked at the news.
"Well, thanks for supporting me so much! Seriously, this means a lot to me... Ummm... so I guess tell me some of your favorite things about the channel then!"
The man laughed again, the sound coming out in a slow, dumb chuckle, before saying
"What's my favorite thing? Do I even have to say, bro? Its the amazing piece of eye candy I'm looking at right now. You're super hot, bro~"
At this, Jason was shocked, but he chuckled awkwardly while blushing, and said
"Really? I don't think I've ever heard a single person say that before. I guess I consider myself slightly below average..."
The guy looked confused at that, before pressing on
"Really, bro? You look super hot to me, you got those bright, blinding blue eyes that you can just get lost in~"
At this point, Jason knew the man was just messing with him. His eyes have always, and will always be a dark, muddy brown, hidden behind his massive frames. Jason was about to respond, when Ethan continued
"Yeah, and you got that super stylish haircut too, really makes you look super masculine~"
Now Jason was REALLY confused. The guy was right, he did always get complements on his eyes, the bright, shocking blue visible and striking even through his huge glasses. But his hair was always a long, unkempt greasy mess.
"Ethan, are you sure you're okay, you're not just seeing things? Cause I don't know what you're talking about"
Ethan ignored the comment, just continuing to press on
"And you've got that hot, manly face, with your strong jaw and amazing profile"
Jason was confused again. Sure, his stylish haircut did help him look much better, but his face had always been pretty androgynous, with hints of baby fat still present in his cheeks. Again, before he could interrupt, Ethan continued,
"And you've got that smooth smooth skin, that hot stubble, that sexy smirk of yours. You're the full package bro~"
Jason laughed at this. Ethan was clearly being way too complementary. Sure his face had a great shape to it, with strong cheekbones and a square jaw, but his skin was still acne marked as hell, his smile was crooked and awkward, and he'd never been able to grow any facial hair, no matter how much he tried.
"I really have no idea what you're talking about Ethan. Sure I've got some good features, but the overall package isn't much to write home about~"
Ethan smirked again, his eyes lighting up with humor, as if he knew something I didn't.
"Nah, bro, you're underselling yourself. Plus, you've got that body~"
"What about my body? I think its pretty average, though I guess I'm a bit on the skinny side..."
Jason looked down at himself, trying to contemplate what Ethan meant. Sure, he'd been blessed with an attractive, manly face, but it didn't change the fact that his body was still below average at best.
"Again, bro! Putting yourself down. You really think those massive logs you have for arms are below average?"
Jason looked down at his skinny arms, and said
"More like logs than twigs man, seriously."
"And what about your legs? You've spent so long working on em, you've got thighs and glutes to kill for~"
Jason laughed again
"I dunno man! Most people say the exact opposite. They say I spend too much time on arms and not enough on my torso and legs. What can I say though? I love having big, beefy arms."
"Of course you do, bro? Who wouldn't? Especially when right in between em, you got your big, pillowy chest, your sexy abs, and your super toned back~"
Jason was seriously starting to wonder if Ethan was on something. Anyone could clearly see from first glance that Jason's body was badly proportioned, his arms and legs being massive from months to years of work, while he neglected his back, pecs and ab muscles. Still, he thought he looked pretty alright honestly.
"And I especially love how you're not only super sexy, you know it and flaunt it~ I don't think I've ever seen you once wear a shirt. The most you'll wear is a necklace, and even then, not like that covers anything, bro~ Only makes you look sexier"
Now here Jason had to disagree. He knew that he had cultivated and developed an amazing body over his years of going to the gym, but that was all for his own personal satisfaction. He never flaunted it unnecessarily, especially not during a stream.
"And I love the fact that you're such a fucking bro, bro. Every other word out of your mouth is bro and dude, you can't go even five minutes without flexing and thinking of fucking, or going to the gym, or hanging out with your other hot bros. We all know that your brain is basically only good for working out and looking hot. No smart's up there. And you've got your deep, sexy voice, too. Makes it even hotter that you're a gay bro, just like me"
Jason HAD to laugh at that. What the guy was saying was just so ridiculous.
"What the hell are you talking about? Look, I know that I like to show off my sexy body a lot, but that doesn't mean I'm some kind of dumb jock. And I'm definitely straight, dude. Don't know why you'd think I'm gay"
Ethan pressed on, completely unabashed by Jason's last comments.
"But you know the best fucking part, bro? Its that power of yours. The fact that any weak ass nerd who looks at you and your huge fucking muscles grows into a hot, dumb bro like us within seconds~"
Jason was busy flexing, staring at his own bicep in awe, as if he was shocked by him impressive he was. He looked up at Ethan blearily, saying
"Sorry, bro, what'd you say? I guess I got a bit fucking distracted. Huhuhu. But who could blame me~"
"Nah, it was nothing bro. You don't need to worry about it. Now should head back to the stream?"
Jason gasped in excitement, having forgotten entirely about the fact that there was a whole stream audience full of lame ass nerds, just ready for him to make as sexy as he and Ethan were.
"You got it bro~ This is gonna be so fucking hot~"
Jason left the call, going back to the stream and restarting, glad to see that a full 300 people were still watching, even through the extended break. The second he turned his camera on, he could see that people were confused for some reason, saying a stranger broke into his house. How stupid could these people be? How did they not recognize him? Still, not like it would matter for long...
"Hey bros! How're we all fucking doing? Welcomes to today's stream..."
He trailed off, looking blankly at the camera, before saying
"You know what? Fuck video games! Who needs them when you can do this~"
And as his pecs bounced and bounced hypnotically, the chat slowly transitioned from messages like "What the fuck is happening?" or "Who is this dumb jock?" to "Fuck, bro! Your pecs look so fucking hot today!" and "Huhuhu, I love making my pecs bounce like Jace's~"
And so the stream continued, Jace showing everyone all the amazing things his body could do, while anyone that was watching, whether they wanted to or not, began to copy him exactly. And as the stream went on, the viewer count rose, and rose, and rose...
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birthdays: 4 - the unabashed social climber
My dabbling in birthday numerology has resulted in a ridiculously viral and classic post on my tumblr that goes through all the birthdays. The total sum of all birthdays essentially adds up to a range of numbers 1-9. In that post, I provided snapshots of the personalities of these birthdays. Now, here, on my website, I shall expound further as to why I came to these conclusions. To continue this series, we'll get into my other least favourite birthday number: 4.
4, 13, 22, 31: humanitarians, romantic, penetrating, provocative, faithful, pragmatic, reserved, immature, nakedly ambitious, tries too hard to be omnipotent, controversy always seems to surround them, savage for no reason, prides themselves on being infallible but are utterly fallible, know-it-alls, critical, anxious, smart-mouthed yet very sensitive (almost too much so), proud, tries hard to be individualistic but in reality is just like everyone else, very shady, can be and is often very disrespectful, patronizing and egotistical, needs their ass kissed, due to their vast insecurity and inherent inadequacy they have a need to conquer others and if they can’t do so then they will try very hard to destroy them, wayyy too sensitive and resorts to being caustic and abusive when they’re hurt (which is all the time), tries too hard to act/look/talk hard, can be tough but sweet, can be quite judgmental, always working, likes to one-up people, needs control and is often very self-controlled, often fake, passive-aggressive, very opportunistic and savvy, great at making friends, very contradictory and hypocritical, often very talented and hardworking, competitive, inspires others, wants to be known as kind and great in everyone’s eyes, almost always supremely unlikable individuals, often downright repulsive, has low self-esteem and projects it on others, often has hidden motives, adroit in using people’s emotions for their own ends
I think I pretty much summed them up there. Those who have these birthdays (especially those born on the 4th and 22nd) are the ones who I'm the most indifferent towards and amused by, but in the interest of fairness, let's dive into the psyche of these people, because if nothing else, they're moderately interesting psychological case studies.
When I think of 4's, I think of the character Eve Harrington in the classic film All About Eve. They're hurt, bitter, broken, miserable insecure bitches and often have low self-esteem and inadequacies within themselves, but they cover it up with false "self-love" and "assertiveness" which is actually condescension, aggressiveness, cockiness, and arrogance. This is evidenced in their unabashed social climbing they do. All social climbing have one thing in common: they seek to increase the social climber status by attacking and taking status away from others. They revel in this, since in their mind it secures their power over others, which is very important to them. They're often sad cases with attitude problems. They can’t, or don’t know how to reconcile their pain in a healthy way, so they direct it back out in mean, cruel, and insensitive ways - hurting others just because they were hurt. This process works only briefly, and usually generates extreme guilt in the person, making them stop for awhile. But, the pain of their past hasn’t been healed, so once again they try to bleed off the pain by hurting someone by being mean or rude. It’s like draining the pressure in a boiler. They know they’re inferior and broken, so they take it out full force on the people they envy and those whose true authentic power that they want. They often say what they don't mean. They're also forces of nature, and they somehow always seem to draw deep emotions out of people, and a lot for people seem to be deeply drawn to them. Fours, in turn, are often drawn by those who know how to control their emotions and make them work for them as well as those who have a deeper well of emotion than they and aren't scared of displaying it.
They have the amusing paradox of being mean AND hypersensitive at the same time, but the key is if one feels that these people are actually worth the time you have to take to get to know them, ignore their natural walls, abnormal need for control, rudeness and meanness, and love them anyway. If one can get through to that hurting part and heal and love it, these individuals can be loyal and even amazing friends for life. (incidentally, it's for this reason that I always seem to see these individuals deeply connected to 2's, 5's and 9's because I think 4's sense in them a kindred spirit, or someone they can use this strange type of "love" on and still feel accepted. But I'll cover those numbers at a later date). It might seem crazy, but a common way these people try and pull their partner/friends close is by expressing anger (of which there is a lot of) and unneeded childish aggression, often ruthlessly attacking perceived weaknesses. It usually works in the opposite way (unfortunately), but often underneath the anger is a strong plea for connection and love. The anger is a mask of protest about not getting that love. They like to create conflict and are very restless. They’re whiny and their edginess is based on their M.O. that "people want to hurt me; I must hurt them first to be safe". They’re often very petty and very small and are too selfish to show any real compassion for those going through a tough time or a tragedy, often pouring salt on the wound (although strangely enough, they're often touted as paragons of compassion and virtue).
They're not satisfied with the ordinary, and more often than not they do tend to lead extraordinary lives. They have an accessibility and a mystery at the same time. They can be calm and insanely disciplined. But they are also very fiery and passionate, and often make rash and headstrong decisions and can be very immature and insecure about themselves because of the need for balance that the number 4 suggests. They can also (only when seriously evolved) be inspirational, using their talents to move masses of people in a way very few can, such as Barack Obama (August 4), and obnoxious personalities like Beyoncé (September 4), her husband Jay-Z (December 4), and their friend Justin Timberlake (January 31 [another classic case of the low-level 4]). They are victims masquerading as warriors and use their victimhood as a weapon and other opportunistic tactics to cement their power. However, there is a lot of fixed-sign-esque (especially that of a Leonine/Scorpionic nature) ego associated with the number 4, and this requires everyone to bow down and kiss their ass. If the 4 doesn't get this type of treatment, then they'll destroy everything and everyone in their wake to assuage their hurt feelings and damaged ego, such as it is in the case of Meghan Markle (also born on August 4) and what she and her husband Harry are currently doing to the Royal Family.
Meghan tried to gain unconditional and total acceptance from them/England/the world. Since she didn't get it, she and Harry took their ball and went home" by backing out of the Royal Family and the duties associated with it and moving with their children to America, effectively cutting themselves off from Harry's grandmother, brother, and ailing grandfather. Which brings me to another point about 4's: they like to do things on their own terms, often alienating others along the way to satisfy themselves. Now that Meghan has had time to think about the "abuse" that she feels that she has received, she's going to get her ultimate revenge by trying to destroy the Royal Family with allegations of racism and mental/emotional abuse. Note: it wasn't a problem when they were courting, and it wasn't a problem when they got married, but since she didn't get the "kid glove" treatment she wanted, now they're a "racist family". I often wonder, if the firm/tabloids/press went after Princess Diana so brutally, as blonde-haired, blue-eyed and pretty as she was, what did Markle honestly expect? This speaks to the 4s often shocking naivety. Also, Markle kept referring to Kate Middleton in her interview, so that means that she's fixated on Kate as a point of envy. This is how hate and negative emotions will cause things to change and often unnecessarily so.
On the positive side (only when evolved), 4's can be active, hard-working, systematic, diligent, careful, objective, firm, introverted, serious, patient, reserved, thoughtful, sensible, analytic, calm, orderly and loyal. For those born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd, and 31st, this describes them in a nutshell.
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The joys of you - Chapter 5
Read on AO3, FF, Wattpad or under the cut.
Five minutes of wandering aimlessly through the St. Mungus’ hallways later, Scorpius finds Rose at one of the Nurses Station, filling in what seems to be a patient’s chart. She’s smiling as she makes small talk with one of the older nurses, and Scorpius hangs back waiting for her to be finished. If someone were to ask him, he’d say it’s obviously out of politeness, not wanting to interrupt Rose as she works; in truth, however, he knows that it’s just so he can look uninterruptedly at her, to confront his memories of Rose and see how well they’ve stayed true to all that she was, all that she now is.
She really doesn’t seem to have grown at all. Having towered over Rose since their Fifth Year, just when they started getting closer (and thank Merlin for that, they'd been about the same height until then), Scorpius was a good foot taller than her by the time he left. He’s always enjoyed their height difference though; the way he used to wrap his arms around her and rest his chin on top of her head, how she had to get up on her tiptoes if she wanted to kiss his cheek or pull him down to snog the life out of him, the way she relished in feeling the slightest bit taller whenever she straddled his lap if they found themselves in privacy.
The older nurse elbows Rose to divert the redhead's attention to Scorpius' presence - which makes him feel a bit like a stalker, great - just when a certain part of him started coming to life for where his wandering thoughts were going - which makes him feel like a deer caught in the headlights, all the better -, and Scorpius is jolted into moving before his embarrassment gets any worse.
Rose seems apprehensive at first but ends up laughing when Scorpius waves awkwardly at her, bidding farewell to her colleague with a "Have a nice weekend, Agnes" that sounds entirely like all the sweetness Scorpius has missed from Rose while he was away. Being back won't be easy by a long shot, but being far was much, much worse.
Rose beckons him over as she continues jotting down notes and Scorpius meets her at the desk. “Fancy meeting you here,” he jokes lightly, remembering all the times they’d said it whenever they wanted some alone time in one of the empty corridors or hidden passageways of Hogwarts.
She takes a moment to respond as if she’s taking a moment to herself, and Scorpius likes to think that it’s because Rose’s thoughts went to the same place his did. When a few seconds pass and she says nothing, Scorpius realizes he might have gone too far - she’s with someone, you git! -, but Rose surprises him by replying the same way she always did; a small, shy smile playing at her lips. “We meet again. What can I do for you, Mr. Malfoy?”
Scorpius remembers Rose being far more flirtatious in their day, but he’ll take whatever he can get. “I just wanted to… You know, see you. Talk to you. It’s been a while, if you haven’t noticed.” He’s rambling and he knows it all too well, but Rose has always had that effect on him. “But I can see that you’re busy.”
He leaves it in the open, not really wanting to be the one to suggest that he should leave because she’s working. He doesn’t want to leave at all, and Rose sees right through him, as always. “It’s alright. I’m just finishing up,” she tells him, gesturing for the chart in front of her.
Scorpius puts aside the thought that, according to his mother, Rose will be leaving the hospital in a few minutes as soon as he notices that the patient’s name in the chart is that of Astoria herself. “My mom. Are you her physician?”
His question is laced with both worry and amazement, and Rose is reminded of all the times when Scorpius had found out something about her that he thought was completely extraordinary. “I am, yes.” Feeling her mouth dry suddenly, Rose is assaulted by all the pressure she’s been feeling lately, having known that he’d be back sometime soon and that she’d have to be the one, along with his parents, to catch him up to speed on Astoria’s nefarious condition. “We’ll have to talk about her, Scorpius, but I’d rather not do it today. You just got here and I’m sure you’re tired, and there’s a lot for you to be acquainted with.”
And with that thought, Rose is reminded that she left Astoria without addressing the pregnancy test, even though they’d gone through the - granted, fairly simple - procedure several times in the past week. Guilt pools in Rose’s stomach regardless, despite knowing that Astoria would never hold such a simple thing against her. All of their moments seem important, all the more when they know they are on borrowed time even if Rose refuses to accept it for a second.
She’s grown to love Astoria too much to ever think otherwise.
The weight of Scorpius’ question threatens to suffocate her, and his eyes betray how, deep down, he wants to know everything about his mother’s condition when his apprenticeship has had everyone keeping information from him. Having been undercover in several occasions, and on remote parts of the planet in others, Mr. Ollivander’s instructions had been clear. For Scorpius’ sake, and of his mission, Scorpius was to only be contacted in case of an emergency for reasons that Rose committed to memory the second they first discussed it. When undercover to gather rare ingredients, invaluable knowledge or information, Scorpius could be found out. On the other hand, keeping the mysteries of both who was to be the next wandmaker of a generation and where had Scorpius Malfoy fled to after graduation kept the tabloids going. Thankfully, not many had made that connection, and clues on the truth was so scarce that they ended up not being pursuit. Third, being a Malfoy still had it’s weight, and even though these weren’t the dark days of their parents’ time anymore, enemies still showed their faces at times, and everyone feared the repercussions of an eventual hostile situation.
All in all, Scorpius had been kept in the dark about pretty much everything that happened in the outside world in his years abroad, especially about those he cares for the most, save for the occasional short message that Mr. Ollivander allowed his apprentice to exchange with his parents, and solely to appease all their minds. Trusting the older man to look after their boy, Astoria and Draco had relied on the man’s word for the past few years, knowing that if something bad were to happen they’d know immediately. Looking back on it now that Scorpius is home, Rose understands why it had to be that way; for his safety, and for the complexity and responsibility that the craft demanded from him, a branch of magic too powerful for just anyone to delve into. While he’d been excited and accepted the task bestowed upon him with pride and eagerness, and regardless of how humble he had always been about it, Rose knows that Scorpius will have plenty of changes to adapt to once he finds out all he’s missed on.
It’s part of the reason why, despite trying to keep his imminent return off her mind, Rose has worked on tidying all the information she’s gathered so that she could go through it with him when the time came.
“I-” Scorpius watches Rose struggle for a moment, as if she's trying to find the right words for what she wants to say. “I've put together a file for me to go through with you. I knew you'd be in the blue about most of your mom's condition, and some aspects of it aren't all that easy to understand without the right background knowledge of ancient curses, human anatomy and medical expertise. While I know,” all to well, she added to herself, “how smart you are and how you soak knowledge as if you need it to breathe...” A small smile plays at her lips at that, remembering one of the things she liked most about him. “It’s a lot to take in. I’d rather we do it when you’ve had some rest on you, and have enjoyed being back for a little while.”
Scorpius lets out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. From the little information he got on his mom’s condition while he was away, he’s never really known just how serious it was or wasn’t. The only assurance he ever got, both from his parents and Mr. Ollivander, was that it wasn’t grave enough for him to come back. From Rose’s speech now, he wonders whether they’ve been keeping the seriousness of it from him.
Answering his silent question, Rose adds with a bittersweet note “Try not to worry, we still have time. You should make the most of being back. I’m sure you’ve missed your parents like crazy.”
That has to be the understatement of the century. He hopes he won’t be so homesick ever again. “My parents, Albus, you… I’ve missed you all a lot,” he confesses unabashed, and Rose ignores the way her heart beats a little faster. “Even the whole Weasley clan, honestly. I’d give anything to never be in such loneliness again. It was hard.”
Rose reacts before she can stop herself, and her hand finds his to hold in comfort. “I can’t imagine,” she murmurs, looking down at their connection, lost in thought. “We all missed you too.”
Scorpius tries hard not to focus on the way the skin between his thumb and forefinger tingles with Rose’s touch, and briefly he wonders if she can see past the incantation to reveal what lies hidden, marked on his skin as a promise to never forget her. “I hope I came in time to catch up. I’m assuming I missed on a lot of things.”
Rose meets his eyes and smiles softly. As she recalls the main revelations that he might find most unexpected, or even shocking, Rose finds herself grinning. “You haven’t a clue. You’re perfectly on time to be taken by surprise by most of it,” she lightly jokes. “Have you had the time to read any magazines?” Rose lets go of his hand and jots down a few words on a small piece of parchment, then proceeds to finish her notes on Astoria’s chart. “The Daily Prophet, perhaps, or any of the other tabloids?”
Scorpius is intrigued as to why Rose prefers to pen her notes instead of just using an enchanted quill, but doesn’t voice it in the moment. Rose has always been a certain way kind of girl, always liked doing things on her own terms. It has him smiling right along with her. “No, I haven’t. Took an International Portkey to one of the Ministry’s safe houses just across the street and came right in. I haven’t even had the time to meet with Mr. Ollivander since being back, even though that was supposed to be my first stop had mom not been here. He understood though, of course, so here I am.”
“Here you are,” Rose repeats to herself, finding that it doesn’t hurt as much to accept that as she thought it would. “Then I would suggest, Mr. Malfoy, that you stay clear of any newspapers you come across if you want to have your mind blown with all the news,” she teases him, predicting that he’ll meet with the brood soon enough and find everything out. “I’m sure you’ll have a rather eventful, flabbergasting weekend.”
“What are you keeping from me, Rose?,” Scorpius asks interestedly, noticing her playful tone. “Did I miss on something good?”
Scorpius has never really been one to gossip, but Merlin, he’ll most likely be stunned. “It would depend on your definition of good, but I think it’s safe to say that’s putting it mildly,” she replies, meaning it about almost everything that concerns every single member of the Weasley clan. “I’m not telling you, though.”
“Now come on, Rosie. You can’t do that,” Scorpius scolds mockingly, leaning forward a little.
“Oh, I can and I will. No amount of sweet Rosies is gonna have me bursting that particular bubble. It’ll be so much better if you find out by yourself.”
His eyes darken, and Rose knows her mistake the second they do. His voice comes out so raspy that she has no choice but to face the reality that not only it still sounds exactly the way she remembered it, but that she brought this upon herself. “Yeah. You always preferred it when things were a bit more formal to get you to do something for me. Isn’t that right, Ms. Weasley? I remember.”
Rose is surprised by how hot his words make her feel. How can it have been so long and he still seems to have the same power over her that he did before he left? It’s the strangest thing, and yet not at all. Pretending her cheeks aren’t the color of her hair, Rose puts down her quill and turns around. Whether just to put the chart away or to escape his burning gaze, Rose would never dare say out loud. Seems they’ll have a hard, hard time walking the fine line between their friendship and something else. Rose hasn’t a clue why she ever thought it would be any other way. Diverting the subject is probably for the best, she decides. “It’s Lily’s birthday this weekend, as I’m sure you remember.”
Scorpius takes a moment to respond, studying her reaction closely. Maybe there’s still hope for him, for them, even if it’ll take patience and effort that Scorpius is no doubt willing to put in.
“I know.” Growing up, Lily had been like a little sister to him, and it had been part of the reason why Scorpius had come home a little early now. Missing everyone has been pure hell, but he’d be damned if he’d miss his second favorite redhead’s 21st birthday. Who’d fend off potential gits who might be interested in getting it on with her? Certainly not James, who’s always been too much of a nutcase to ever care about anything other than his Quidditch career. And definitely not Albus, mooning over Alice Longbottom ever since she gave him the time of day. Now Mrs. Potter, of course, was another case entirely, and yet not so comforting for Scorpius. He’s heard of her days at Hogwarts and has seen Lily want to go down a similar path back in their days at school when boys started to interest her, and despite being away for so long, Scorpius hopes that he can still play the part of her third big brother. Merlin knows he’s missed it. “I was hoping to get here in time to surprise her. I’ve missed her energy a lot.” And that’s downplaying it. Lily has enough energy to lit up a room.
“You’ve missed her craziness, you mean?” Rose asks, feigning shock. She of all people knows how much Scorpius has always cared about Lily, and Rose still finds it as sweet as she did when she first became enamored of him. Not to mention that Lily was one of the main reasons Scorpius and Rose got together in the first place. Details. “In all seriousness, she’ll love knowing you’re back. And for her birthday, no less.”
“It’s not the only reason I’m back,” he says simply, and part of Rose wishes he hadn’t said anything at all. “It’s not even the main one, as you can guess.”
Rose is left wondering whether he means just Astoria’s condition, missing his parents or something - someone - else. “You’ll make her day, regardless. She idolizes you.”
“That little firecracker is something, isn’t she?” Scorpius smiles, reminiscing about all the trouble Lily had gotten herself into growing up, when she made sure to let everyone know just how much Weasley blood she had in her. She was worse than Fred and James together ten times, no doubt.
“We’re getting together tomorrow night at the Burrow, for dinner, before hitting the town. I’m sure Grandma Molly won’t mind to add another plate to the table, if you want to join us.” Realizing that it sounded like all the times she’d invited him to dinner with her family before, and that the circumstances are fairly different from then, Rose clears her throat. “The whole gang is going to be there. Everyone will want to see you, I’m sure. What better way to catch up with us all?,” she says offhandedly, trying to sound nonchalant even if she’s feeling anything but.
Anything to spend more time with you, Scorpius thinks, even if it means facing the madness that is the whole Weasley clan at once. “I’ll take you up on that offer, if you’re sure your grandparents won’t mind. I can’t wait to see everyone.”
“And everyone can’t wait to see you.” More of you, she means but doesn’t say. And she really means it; even her father has fallen for Scorpius Malfoy’s charm, in all impossibility. “Just floo there at around 7. I’ll let Grandma Molly know you’re coming.”
“Great,” Scorpius mumbles, feeling like they’ve been talking for an age and knowing that not only he’s keeping her from work, but that Rose will be going soon. If only being with her wasn’t so easy… “I’ll leave you to it, then. I’ve taken enough of your time,” he tells her sheepishly.
Not enough, Rose thinks to herself. Not enough. “What are your plans for the next few days?,” she finds herself asking. “I mean, with work, of course.” Nice save there, Weasley.
Scorpius knows her all too well, or so he thinks, so he covers all his bases. “I’m staying with mom until I can today, and then I’ll go home with dad. I haven’t seen him yet and Merlin, do I miss sleeping in my bed.” He catches Rose giving him a look that says I miss sleeping in your bed too but Scorpius decides not to comment on it, pretending he missed it. It’s been hard enough navigating the range of emotions that this simple talk between them has already gone through. “I’m meeting Mr. Ollivander in the morning at the shop, and then I’ll meet you at the Burrow later in the day. Other than that, I haven’t really found the time to plan anything else.”
Rose nods in acknowledgment, making her way from behind the desk to the hallway until she’s in front of him. “You could meet with Albus in the afternoon tomorrow, perhaps. He’s been insufferable waiting for you to get back,” she chuckles lightly.
“That would be great. Where can I find him these days?” He raises his eyebrows suggestively. “At the Longbottoms, I hope?” It hurts Scorpius a little to think that his best friend has gone on with his life and he knows nothing of it, but he can only hope that everything went well for his friend. Having fallen madly in love with Alice midway through their 6th Year, Albus and Alice had been on an on and off relationship up until Scorpius left. He hopes his friend has sealed that deal.
“I think you’re in for quite the surprise, Scorp.”
He doesn’t know whether to focus on the fact that Rose’s nickname for him slipped out so effortlessly, or that there is a possibility that Albus still hasn’t figured out his relationship with Alice after all this time. “Don’t tell me he and Alice aren’t together still? It’s been four years!”
“Oh, I’m not saying anything,” Rose teases him, mischief in her eyes. “Since you’ll be in Diagon Alley in the morning anyway, why don’t I tell Albus to meet you at the Leaky Cauldron for lunch? He’ll be beyond himself to finally see you, and you’ll most likely find out what’s been going on with him.”
“That’ll be great, but why aren’t you telling me what’s happened?” He eyes her suspiciously. “Have they married?” Rose watches as color drains from his face. “Don’t tell me they’ve married. I was going to be his best man, oh Merlin…”
Rose raises her hand to stop his pacing as soon as it begins. Albus and Scorpius have always had a flare of drama between them; a true bromance, as it were. “Don’t worry, they’re definitely not married.”
“That’s not better,” Scorpius lamely complains.
“You’ll know what I mean. And Albus is on duty tomorrow, anyway. He’ll be plenty busy but you’ll see what I mean the second you lay your eyes on him, I promise.”
“I miss my best mate, Rosie, and you’re not making it any better. You’re mean.”
Rose bites down on her lip gently, her mouth relaying the words she didn’t want to want to let out before her mind can stop her. “I remember a time when that wasn’t an issue.”
Is the air impossibly hotter? Scorpius swears the air around them is impossibly hotter. Damned hospitals. “And it isn’t. It never was.”
Rose has to stop herself from swaying on her feet, compelled as she is to get closer to him, even taking a step back for good measure. It’s been emotional enough for the day, and it’s best that she doesn’t do something she shouldn’t. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Malfoy.”
Scorpius hates how much he loves when Rose is mischievous like that, always has. Oh, he’s missed how she can drive him bonkers. Merlin, how he’s missed her. “Ms. Weasley…” Knowing in every fiber of his being that it’s wrong, Scorpius takes a step forward anyway, and he can’t help himself from letting out “I look forward to it” before walking away, and Rose is left with no choice but to go home to her boyfriend, all worked up.
Toeing the line between her and Scorpius will be a challenge, that’s for sure, but will either of them be able to resist the pull to step on the other side?
It’s with astonishment, to say the least, that Draco Malfoy arrived at Room 478 after such a long day at work to find his son relaxing on one of the armchairs by Astoria’s bed, both so lost in the moment that neither of them noticed his arrival. And it was a good thing too, because it gave Draco a brief stolen moment to just give thanks for his family.
Almost three hours later and after a rather emotional reunion, Draco is sending his son back home hurriedly to unpack, with the promise to meet him there soon for dinner. The reason for Draco to stay behind? Astoria’s bedroom eyes, which she never, ever has cast upon him while at the hospital. Even if Draco knows that they’re most certainly not getting it on when they’re in a public facility and there’s a high risk of them getting caught, Astoria’s gaze is, to say the least, bound to leave the man intrigued. Admittedly, the choice between reconnecting with his son or spending time with his wife is a tough one, but given the circumstances, and knowing that he’ll have Scorpius home for the whole night - and hopefully indefinitely, at least for the foreseeable future -, he thinks it can pass for understandable.
Hooking a Mumbling Jane to the door handle - one of the many Weasley’s ingenious inventions, even Draco has to admit they have their days, this one in the form of an old lady in a small door sign that starts mumbling under her breath whenever people with the intent of engaging with or interrupting the sign’s owner is approaching -, Draco looks at Astoria curiously , wondering what she’s all about. “Want to tell me why you wanted your son out of here?,” he drawls jokingly, and Astoria immediately scowls.
“I did not want Scorpius to leave.”
Draco tilts his head and cocks an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised by her playful mood today. It hasn’t been that way lately, unfortunately. Not so much, not like before, and he knows the disease and her medicine are to blame for it. “And yet, you did. Care to tell me why?” Astoria looks down at her hands on her lap, even blushing as if she’s embarrassed with her own behavior, and immediately Draco crosses the room to hold her face in his hands. “Hey, I was just teasing you.” It’s been difficult to find a balance lately, between her potions-induced mood changes, and the being on and off the hospital constantly. Draco is often at a loss of what to do or say, afraid to act the wrong way when he doesn’t know what it could mean given her curse, even if he tries his hardest not to think about it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Astoria smiles a little, turning her head to kiss his palm in reassurance. “You didn’t, don’t worry about it. I’m just nervous.”
“Nervous?,” he asks in confusion. “You looked anything but nervous.”
Knowing what he means, and excitement turning her insides into mush, Astoria brushes his lips with hers. “What did it look like, then?”
“Why, Mrs. Malfoy,” Draco kisses her fully, the way he wanted to do the second he got to the room had their son not been there. “Like you’re looking for trouble. Or some alone time with your husband. Perhaps both.”
Astoria chuckles and pecks his lips once more, sitting up straighter in the bed. “I promise you, husband of mine, the second we are out of here we’re making up for lost time. It’s bee too long.”
He agrees, and yet “It’s only been three weeks.”
“It’s been three weeks too many. Damned curse…”
“Yeah,” Draco murmurs, touching his forehead with hers, hating that she’s been spending more and more time at the hospital at a time. “Damned curse.” Brushing his thumb against her cheek, Draco sits on the bed facing her. “I missed you today…”
“Don’t you always?,” Astoria asks coyly.
“Only sometimes,” he remarks sarcastically, entwining his fingers with hers on her lap.
Astoria sees all the love and care and commitment in his eyes that she’s always seen there, practically from the very beginning of their relationship, and her stance softens. She really couldn’t have asked for a better partner, and it makes her want to try her hardest to give back to him as much as he’s always willing to give her. Taking a deep breath, she reaches underneath the sheet and retrieves the bag that Rose had brought her earlier. “Then perhaps this will make your day better.”
Draco looks at the ordinary paper bag, unsure of what it could contain inside. “Did you get me something?”
Astoria would laugh at his response, weren’t she becoming overcome with anxiety. “You could say that.” He glances at her quizzically, and her nervousness makes her ramble. “Well, I don’t know myself. I’m not sure. It’s why I got this, actually.”
“So… You got me something to be sure whether or not you got me something?”
She can tell that he’s half confused, half joking, and a strange energy can be felt between them. Anticipation rises and Astoria finds herself urging him. “Look into the paper bag, would you?”
Draco barks a laugh at the way she’s behaving, having no clue what’s expecting him but enjoying their banter all the same. Thankfully, large letters tell him exactly what he’s looking at, otherwise he’d have no idea. Taking a moment to digest the information, Draco takes the box out from the paper bag and just stares at it, and keeps on staring until Astoria’s voice cuts the silence.
“Tell me what you’re thinking.”
She sounds hesitant, and Draco hates the way her voice wavers. Meeting her gaze, he finds apprehension laced with expectation, worry and excitement intertwined so deeply that he can’t help but share them and let himself get lost in the same feelings, like it’s always happened with them. Both empathetic in their own ways, they’ve learned to balance the other out in ways Draco never thought possible. Merlin, he can never imagine his life without her. “You’re pregnant?,” he whispers, as if saying it out loud would break the spell.
Astoria fidgets in her lap, gathering her strength to let him in on everything she’s already gone through with Rose. “There’s a fair chance that I am. And I think I am, yes.”
“But you’re not sure,” he tries to make sense of what she’s trying to say.
Astoria shakes her head no. “That’s why Rose got me a pregnancy test.”
Draco isn’t all that surprised to find out that Rose already knew about this, since the girl has been a constant presence in their lives for years now, being especially close with Astoria. Still, he’s not sure what to make of it. “I don’t understand. Rose is a Healer. Couldn’t she have done a spell to know whether you are expecting?”
“She didn’t want to risk it. First, because all spells and incantations aimed at me could have an unexpected effect, as you know, even if the Pregnancy Spell is a fairly simple one. And second, because all wands are examined at the end of each shift, Rose was afraid that the results, either being positive or negative, could alert one of the Senior Healers to my condition and have them intervene with her research, one way or the other. And either way, there’s always the risk of a breach of confidentiality and our story, whatever it turns out to be, could end up in the papers. Rose thought better not to risk it, given the circumstances.”
“You really do trust her,” Draco finds himself saying even though there’s no surprise there. Astoria loves her, and he has to admit that he has a soft spot for the girl as well.
“Of course. I don’t think I’d ever trust my treatment to anyone else.”
Sometimes Draco wonders whether this is completely blind faith, and irrelevant for a future he’s not ready to accept, but he chooses to trust his wife instead. “What is this, then? Is it Muggle?”
“Yes,” Astoria says, glad for her husband’s support. “It’s a standard Muggle Pregnancy Test. Rose is fairly confident I’ll get an accurate result with it, and there’s no risk of whatever result we get ever leaving this room if we destroy it after I take it. When we find out, I’ll let Rose know so that she can adjust her research accordingly. Poor thing has been running ragged, worried about both possibilities and how it’ll affect her work.”
“How long have you known?,” Draco asks, glancing between his wife and the box in his hands.
“Only a few days. At first, I think it was just wishful thinking. Then the signs became a little more clear. But it’s not the same as it was before, with Scorpius and the others, and it’s been so long since then that I was afraid I could be misreading the signs altogether. So I had to tell Rose since it could be something related to the curse. We spent the last week going over my cycle, and things I did, or ate, that could have influenced my symptoms. We realized it would be easier to confirm or dismiss our theory by just taking a test and going from there. Rose just got it for me today. It’s why I wanted some time alone with you as well. We can decide whether to tell Scorpius about this afterwards.”
Draco licks his lips anxiously, trying to make sense of the turmoil of feelings inside him at the moment before lifting his eyes to hers again. “And?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t want to worry you before knowing for sure, but I also didn’t want to take the test without having you with me.”
He blows out a breath, handing the box to her. “Okay. So how do we do it?”
“You’re going to love this,” Astoria chuckles softly. “Apparently I have to pee on it.”
Draco scrunches his nose. “What?”
“Rose explained to me all about how a change in hormones, that could be caused by pregnancy, can create a chemical reaction with a strip on that stick. Since drawing blood from me isn’t an option unless it’s really necessary, and Rose wouldn’t really know what to do with it anyway, unless she was to run to a Muggle hospital to have it tested - and Merlin knows that could bring all kinds of trouble in and on itself -, urine is a much more effective, painless and easier way to take the test.”
“Muggles are crazy,” Draco mumbles, looking the package weirdly. “Couldn’t Rose do the spell with someone else’s wand so it wouldn’t be on record?”
Astoria shakes her head, giving her husband a pointed look. Even despite spending more time with the Weasleys than he ever thought conceivable, and given Scorpius’ interest in everything Muggle, Draco still has some aversion to Muggle things that he can’t, or doesn’t want to try, to understand. “She thought it would be too risky, giving my condition. One always fares better with their own wand, and isn’t this a good way of finding out anyway? It’s safer, at least, and we’re sure it’ll work just the same.”
Draco concedes, not wanting to upset Astoria even though there still are Muggle things he can’t really comprehend. “So… Do you just do it?”
“I guess,” Astoria murmurs, but Draco can tell that she’s nervous.
“Hey,” he says, cupping her chin in between his fingers. “No matter if it works, and whatever the result is, we’ll figure it out, alright?”
Astoria takes a moment to find the right words to say, and when she voices them, Draco realizes that she said out loud what he’s thought for the longest time. After all they’ve been through with Astoria’s failed pregnancies, both before and after they had Scorpius, it’s a bittersweet feeling. “I want it to be positive, Draco. We’ve wanted it for so long and I know we’ve grown accustomed to the idea that we were ever only going to have Scorpius, but now… I really want it to be positive. Regardless of my condition, I want it, and it both excites me and terrifies me.”
Even though he finds himself conflicted in the same way, Draco pushes aside his fear for the time being, and surprising Astoria he captures her lips with his in a searing kiss, only stopping when they need to catch their breaths. “We’ll take our days the same way we’ve been doing ever since you were diagnosed. We’ll take our days one at a time, and we’ll figure it all out, no matter what the Muggle stick thingy says, I promise.”
Astoria chuckles and catches a tear from the corner of her eye before it falls, grinning at him. “I’ll be right back then.”
Draco watches her go, and time seems to drag by as he waits for his wife to come back. Antsy about the whole situation, jittery, Draco starts pacing the room, unable to stay still. When Astoria returns to the bed, her eyes are fixed on the stick in her hand, and Draco swears he can hear his heartbeat in his ears. “So?”
“We have to wait,” she tells him, settling down again and placing the test on her lap. “Two minutes.”
Draco sighs. “These are going to be the longest two minutes of our lives, aren’t they?,” he asks, sitting beside Astoria in the hospital bed that he loathes so much, draping an arm over her shoulders. She leans in to him and Draco kisses her temple, her cheek, her nose, until her attention is diverted from their future in her lap back to him. “Before we find out, I want you to know that no matter what happens, I love you. With all my heart. I’m yours, same as I’ve always been.”
“Even if there might be more of me to love in the near future?,” she jokes, already attached to the idea, even if she knows how much of a risk it will be.
“Especially so,” he tells her, remembering how alluring and radiant Astoria had been when she was carrying Scorpius, and finding that the prospect of ever seeing her like that again could be so dangerous, and yet so lovingly welcomed. “I love all of you, never doubt that.”
She never did, not even in the beginning of their partnership when they barely knew each other. “As I love you,” she kisses him, resting her forehead against his cheek and settling on the crook of her neck comfortingly. “We’ll take the future as it comes.”
“We will,” he assures her. “Together.” Astoria holds his gaze for a lingering moment, and suddenly she wishes they weren’t in the hospital at all. Draco shares the sentiment. “Ready to find out?,” he questions, never looking away from her as if he’s in a trance.
Astoria nods resolutely. “One line is negative, two lines is positive.” Draco is sure that the fear and enthusiasm in his eyes are mirrored in her own, and his hand rests on top of the one of hers that’s holding the pregnancy test. He can’t tell if his hand is the one that’s shaking, or if it’s hers, or both. “On three,” Astoria licks her lips anxiously, her eyes not leaving his until the last moment. “One, two, three.”
She feels breathless, and scared, and as if her heart will escape her ribcage for how nervous she really is. The conflicting emotions assault her, and beside her Draco is as silent as she is. Glancing at him, she finds him livid, and that’s saying something for his usually fair complexion. Her husband’s hand trembles on her own and she tries her best to steady it, but they’re both shaking. When a moment passes, then two, Astoria feels her breath coming short with emotion, and then the sobs start. She finds consolation in Draco’s arms but he feels as strong and weak for the moment as she does, and she finds that he’s started crying as well. The laughs come next, and the shy, then easy smiles take over them. Before she knows it, Draco is kissing her lovingly the way he does when they’re intimate and it’s just the two of them, and for the time being all of their worries are forgotten, and Astoria has to admit that she has never wished so much to be out of this forsaken hospital as just now.
Gasping for air, they part, looking down between them where the test dropped on top of the sheets, and it’s with pure joy that they study the two lines that stare back at them.
Author’s note: I wanted the whole Scorpius/Rose interaction to reflect the way they were with each other when they dated, and that they’ll have a lot of trouble keeping from now. I wanted it to be a little sweet, a bit flirtatious, a tad serious and emotional enough. They’ll walk the line as they go, sometimes misstepping one way or the other, and I can’t wait to explore it further.
As for Draco/Astoria, their initial reaction to the pregnancy is that of parents that have wanted another child, and have been denied it for a long, long time. However, as we delve further into Astoria’s condition as Rose will explain it to Scorpius in a couple of chapters or so, I’ll try and explore both sides of the dilemma: Astoria’s, because she wants to keep the child knowing that it might be her last chance at being a mother again because she sees her own death as impending, and Draco’s, who’ll struggle between wanting another child and the high probability of it aggravating considerably his wife’s health, rushing Astoria to a demise he hasn’t yet come to terms with.
As a side note, I decided not to write Scorpius reunion with Draco because we’ll get plenty of time to explore their relationship after Astoria dies, and I’d rather go into Astoria and Scorpius’ bond now since it’ll be so important to the story. Regardless, please assume that Draco and Scorpius have a great relationship, because they do, even if it’ll be hard for Scorpius to deal with his mother’s pregnancy since he accepts and understands both his parents’ views on the matter.
We’re in for a ride.
Last but not least, what do you think is up with Albus? That’ll be another fun subplot! On a second side note, the story will be changing POVs a lot since there are so many characters, and one of the main subplots will revolve around Lily and her friendship with both Scorpius and Rose, both with each individually and together, since she’ll play a key role in getting the pair back together again. There’ll be plenty of other subplots going on and I’ll try to present them one at a time, and I can’t wait to update again already!
Next up, Scorpius meets with his best mate and there’s Lily’s birthday dinner party, where a rather important scene with Scorpius and Ron plays out.
Let me know what you’re thinking of the story so far in the comments below. Until next time xx
#the joys of you#scorose#scorose fanfiction#drastoria#drastoria fanfiction#scorpius x rose#draco x astoria#hp#hp fanfiction#my writing
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Best New Horror Movies on Netflix: Spring 2017
I know there's an overwhelming amount of horror movies to sift through on Netflix, so I've decided to take out some of the legwork by compiling a list of the season's best new genre titles on Netflix's instant streaming service.
Please feel free to leave a comment with any I may have missed and share your thoughts on any of the films you watch. You can also peruse past installments of Best New Horror Moves on Netflix for more suggestions.
1. It Follows
I assume most horror fans have already seen It Follows, as it was one of the most-talked-about genre films of 2015, but if you somehow missed it, stop reading this and watch it right now. A horror classic for a new generation, the plot revolves around a curse passed on through sex in which the recipient is followed by... something. Not only does it draw influence from Halloween and A Nightmare on Elm Street, the film also evokes everything I love about those classics: a strong female lead in Maika Monroe (The Guest), a dreamlike atmosphere, precise direction, stunning cinematography, a memorable synth score, a familiar suburban setting, and an unsettling, mysterious antagonist. Read my full review of the film here.
2. Under the Shadow
The first half of Under the Shadow works well as a compelling war drama, while the last act turns into an edge-of-your-seat supernatural chiller. The Persian-language film takes place in 1980s Iran while the Iraq war rages on. When her husband is drafted, Shideh (Narges Rashidi) is left to raise their young daughter on her own, living in a war zone under the constant threat of an attack. The daughter becomes convinced that evil djinn have taken her beloved doll and soon develops a fever that won't break. The stressed mother dismisses her stories until she experiences the hauntings herself. The film explores similar themes to The Babadook, in addition to sharing an appeal to both genre and arthouse/film festival audiences.
3. The Invitation
As raw as it is calculated, The Invitation is an understated thriller that brings to mind such films as Rosemary’s Baby, The Shining, and Let the Right One In. The captivating plot revolves around a group of friends reuniting at a lavish dinner party, but one man (Logan Marshall-Green, Prometheus) becomes increasingly paranoid of ulterior motives. Director Karyn Kusama (Jennifer's Body, Aeon Flux) strings viewers along with just enough information to maintain engagement without sacrificing ambiguity, anchored by brilliant performances from the ensemble cast. The deliberate, slow pace creates a pervading sense of dread, which culminates in a chilling finale worthy of the build up. Read my full review of the film here.
4. Train to Busan
Think you’re done with zombie movies? Think again. In addition to smashing records in its home country of South Korea, Train to Busian is easily accessible to a global audience. Like Snowpiercer meets 28 Days Later, the plot involves a ferocious zombie outbreak aboard a train. It's on par with a Hollywood blockbuster movie in terms of spectacle, performance, and entertainment value. It's also surprisingly heartfelt, thanks to characters for whom the viewer cares - including a sweet father-daughter relationship and one of the best supporting characters in recent memory. Read my full review of the film here.
5. Cheap Thrills
Cheap Thrills is a few years old now, but if it went under your radar, you need to check it out. A quick glance at the trailer or synopsis may leave you questioning how the plot - in which two desperate men perform increasingly twisted dares for money - could sustain itself for 88 minutes. Against all odds, you'll watch in suspense, wondering what they'll do next and questioning if you'd do the same with money being waved in front of you. Ethan Embry (Can't Hardly Wait) completely reinvents himself in the role of the scumbag, while Pat Healy (Starry Eyes) earns the audience's sympathy despite being just as guilty. David Koechner (Anchorman) plays the wealthy man handing over the money, with Sara Paxton (The Last House on the Left) as his arm candy.
6. Trash Fire
Trash Fire certainly isn't for everyone, but if you've enjoyed writer-director Richard Bates Jr.'s previous output - Excision and Suburban Gothic - you should have a pretty good grasp on what to expect from his latest. In an attempt to mend their toxic relationship, arrogant pick Owen (Adrian Grenier, Entourage) and his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Isabel (Angela Trimbur, The Final Girls), visit his estranged sister (AnnaLynne McCord, 90210), who was horribly burned in a fire that killed his parents. The cast also includes Fionnula Flanagan (The Others), Matthew Gray Gubler (Criminal Minds), Ezra Buzzington (The Hills Have Eyes), and Ray Santiago (Ash vs Evil Dead). The genre bender begins as a quirky, black comedy, then transforms into a dark and disturbing drama with horror undertones. Both halves are uncomfortable in their own way.
7. Evolution
Evolution is definitely tailored for the foreign/arthouse crowd, as French director Lucile Hadzihalilovic explores the horrors of puberty in an esoteric manner. It's immediately striking, from the breathtaking, Planet Earth-esque underwater photography that opens the film, and remains visually interesting even when the plot goes off the deep end. The story centers on a young boy who discovers a dead body in the ocean, after which he's sent to a mysterious hospital where he and other boys are subjected to bizarre experiments. The finale is a memorable one.
8. The Similars
The Similars (known in its native Spanish as Los Parecidos) is an unabashed love letter to The Twilight Zone and similar science fiction thrillers from the 1960s, right down to the Rod Serling-style voiceovers that bookend the story. The film takes place in 1968 Mexico, adopting a period-appropriate aesthetic with desaturated color, nearly to the point of being black and white, stark film noir-esque lighting, and fake film grain. The events occur in a bus station during a heavy rainstorm, where the handful of stranded patrons face a bizarre phenomenon that I won't give away here. It goes a little off the rails toward the end, but the premise is so riveting you won't be able to take your eyes off the screen.
9. Tales of Halloween
Tales of Halloween is a horror anthology made up of 10 segments from directors such as Neil Marshall (The Descent), Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II-IV), Lucky McKee (May), Paul Solet (Grace), and Mike Mendez (Big Ass Spider), among others. The cast is equally impressive; you'll recognize nearly every face as a genre veteran, indie favorite, or master of horror filmmaker, including Barry Bostwick (The Rocky Horror Picture Show), Lin Shaye (Insidious), Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator), and Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog), to name a few. There's really only so much you can do with a Halloween-night setting in 10 minutes, so the film becomes monotonous at times, but there's still a lot of fun to be had. It won't replace Trick 'r Treat as the go-to Halloween anthology, but Tales of Halloween makes for a great addition to your seasonal viewing.
10. Antibirth
Antibirth is further proof (as if we needed it) that Canadians love David Cronenberg's body horror fare. The first half of the film is, frankly, a chore to slog through, but once the prolonged set-up is out of the way, we're rewarded with nightmarish visions of blood, pus, and hideous deformities. It's worth the time commitment for the insane final 10 minutes, which make this movie a fun one to watch with a group of friends. Natasha Lyonne (Orange Is the New Black) stars as an unfortunate girl who shows signs of being pregnant - including a bulbous belly - without having had sex. Whatever is inside her infects both her body and mind. It's a wholly unglamorous role, but Lyonne owns it. Chloë Sevigny (American Horror Story), Meg Tilly (Body Snatchers), and Mark Webber (Green Room) make up the supporting cast.
11. Death Race 2050
It's hard to warrant a purchase for Death Race 2050, when the original Death Race 2000 does the same thing far more successfully, but a Netflix viewing is the perfect way to spend a mindless weekend afternoon. Roger Corman returns to produce a new reboot of the 1975 cult classic. Like many of his productions, it's not a particularly good movie, but it’s an amusing one. It serves as a timely satire under our current administration, with Malcolm McDowell (Halloween) as the Chairman of the United Corporations of America. He hosts a three-day, cross-country race that plays out like NASCAR meets The Hunger Games with a hint of Looney Tunes. Manu Bennett (The Hobbit) assumes the role of half-man/half-machine reigning champion Frankenstein. Read my full review of the film here.
BONUS: American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson
I think Ryan Murphy is brilliant with casting and marketing, but I've always found his storytelling on American Horror Story to be heavily flawed. By basing his latest anthology effort, American Crime Story, on true events, he's able to focus on his strengths without as much concern for sticking the landing. The People v. O.J. Simpson is well worth the 8+ hour commitment; it's engaging even if you lived through the infamous case, doubly so if you don't know all the details. The cast is populated by notable names like John Travolta, Cuba Gooding Jr., David Schwimmer, and Nathan Lane, but it's Sarah Paulson and Sterling K. Brown who steal the show as the defense attorneys.
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