#Binns sign

[doo-wop-city]

Binns & Bonito Signs

Binns Motor Inn and Bonito Motel are getting a new look – and a new name – for the 1968 tourist season! This post is to honor the signs that graced the heart of Wildwood throughout the Age of Doo Wop! These photos were taken on May 17th, 1966. (…Or, was that 2022?) This is the former Bonito sign, adorning Spicer Avenue. Like many signs of the Doo Wop era, this sign combines shadowbox letters…

[ahqkas]

If you’re taking request, I have one if you aren’t too busy. Mattheo dating gf! Reader who has a terrible sleep schedule. Like she falls asleep in almost all classes and he is just sits beside her, playing with her hair with a love struck stare.

-🧚🏾‍♀️💕

FALLING FOR YOU ; mattheo riddle

HARRY POTTER MASTERLIST!

© ahqkas — all rights reserved. even when credited, these works are prohibited to be reposted, translated or modified

MATTHEO LEANED BACK IN HIS CHAIR, THE COOL WOODEN SUFACE OF THE DESK A FAMILIAR FEELING UNDER HIS ARMS. Professor Binns droned on at the front of the room, his voice a monotonous hum that barely registered in the back of Mattheo’s mind, like always. Instead, his attention was solemnly focused on you.

You were seated beside him, your head resting on your folded arms atop the desk as you dozed off. Your breathing was slow and steady, the telltale sign that you had drifted off again. Mattheo couldn't help but smile a little at the sight. You had the most erratic sleep schedule he had ever encountered. It seemed like you were always tired, often succumbing to sleep in the middle of classes.

As Binns' lecture about the Goblin Rebellions continued in the background, Mattheo reached out and gently twirled a strand of your hair around his finger. The texture was soothing, and he found himself absently playing with your hair whenever you fell asleep beside him. It had become a routine of sorts — him watching over you as you dozed off in class, ensuring you stayed comfortable and undisturbed in your actions. Merlin forbid someone woke you up.

The Slytherin glanced around the room to see if anyone was paying attention to the two of you, but as usual, the other students were either scribbling notes or fighting their own battles with sleep. Mattheo's gaze returned to you, his expression softening. He loved these moments, the quiet intimacy of being close to you without the noise and bustle of the school day intruding. There was something peaceful about it.

A soft murmur escaped your lips as you shifted slightly, and Mattheo's heart swelled with affection. He leaned down, his lips brushing against your ear as he whispered, "Sweet dreams, love."

You didn't stir, but a small, content smile tugged at the corners of your mouth. Mattheo's own smile widened as he continued to play with your hair, the lecture fading into the background noise.

As class neared its end, your boyfriend gently shook your shoulder. "Hey, princess," he whispered, "time to wake up."

You stirred, blinking groggily as you lifted your head. "Did I miss much?" you mumbled, rubbing your eyes.

"Not really," Mattheo replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Just Binns being Binns. Come on, let's get you to your next class."

You nodded, stifling a yawn as you gathered your things. Mattheo stood up, offering you his hand. You took it, and together you made your way out of the classroom. Mattheo kept a protective arm around your shoulders, his heart full of love and tenderness for the girl who had the most terrible sleep schedule, but who also happened to be the love of his life.

[lorrainmorgan]

Serpents at the Library

🔞❤️‍🔥 NSFW // MDNI 🔞❤️‍🔥

⚠️ Ominis x F! reader⚠️ Spicy content ahead.

“So, my dear, you think you've been good? Tell me just how much you believe you deserve what I can give you.” Ominis purred.

The Library's second floor was mostly deserted, save for a lone figure sitting in the farthest cubicle. Ominis was patiently waiting for your arrival. You had agreed to meet after your last afternoon class, but you were already running late. Suddenly, Ominis perked up at the sound of your footsteps drawing closer.

"Hello Ominis, I'm sorry I was late, Professor Binns couldn't stop talking and the lesson just kept going and… I’m sorry" you sat down next to him.

He continued to read his book with his flickering wand, trying to ignore your existence as much as possible, but couldn't help but notice how close to him you’d sat down, almost touching his arm with yours.

You quickly noticed his annoyance. Trying to easen the things between you two, you pulled out of your bag a bag of Berttie Botts and placed it next to him "You can have as many as you want" .

"Thank you, but I don't want any." Ominis turned the book page with his wand. He didn't want to engage in conversation. 

"What have I done to you? Being late for something that was not my fault gives you no right to be rude to me, and you’ve been weird around me lately…why?" You finally spat at him.

The corner of Ominis's mouth twitched upward again. His head tilted to the side and his unseeing eyes glimmered with frustration, drawing you in closer. As he leaned towards you, his hand took hold of yours, sending shivers down your spine rather than offering comfort as intended.

Finally, his voice broke the silence, low and dangerous as he spoke. His words hung in the air like a warning. "I am not being rude, Y/N."

In response, you reached for a bright blue Berttie Bott bean and slowly brought it up to Ominis' lips. He took it obediently, chewing on it quietly. 

"Then tell me, why are you so angry? It's not because I was late... is it?"

After a moment of hesitation, Ominis nervously cleared his throat and shifted on his seat. The signs of a blush spread across his face, coloring his ears and cheeks a deep shade of red. He lowered his voice to a harsh whisper, every word dripping with anger and frustration.

"I'm angry... frustrated by the fact that I overheard Sebastian wanting to take you on a date," he admitted, his eyes flashing with jealousy. "He was finally going to declare his love for you." Turning away, he ran a hand through his hair in frustration before continuing.

"We've known each other since we were kids. We've grown up together, and you've always been so kind to me," Ominis confessed, the words tumbling out in a rush. "But the truth is, I care about you…" He paused to catch his breath "I wish I didn't have these feelings for you, I wish I had someone else to love. But I-" Suddenly realizing what he had just revealed, Ominis' eyes widened in shock.

Your jaw dropped as you processed his accidental confession.

As soon as the words had escaped his lips, he regretted them. But it was too late to take them back now. "Ever since our childhood days, my feelings for you have grown deeper," he confessed. "I've always imagined kissing you, holding you in my arms and feeling your warmth against mine. I've yearned for more than just friendship with you, but I couldn't act on those desires because of our close bond with Sebastian.”

An electric surge of adrenaline coursed through your body, igniting a desire to kiss Ominis. But you quickly squashed the impulse, reminding yourself that he is holding back and you are a proper lady who must maintain control… Right?

You knew that Ominis was waiting for a sign from you, a green light to act on his own desires. You inched closer to him, until your lips were mere inches apart. As you gazed at the constellation of moles on his cheek, your thoughts raced with the overwhelming urge to press your lips against each one.

Like a magnet to a metal, you rapidly and boldly grabbed Ominis' face in your hands and pulled him towards you. He didn’t resist, he surrendered willingly, eagerly meeting your lips as you both gave into the intense craving that had consumed you both. 

The taste of your sweetness burned his tongue . He didn't hesitate any longer, and wrapped his hands around your waist, pulling you closer to him. He kissed you deeply, passionately, and with a hunger that had been building inside him for years. 

As your tongues intertwined, he felt the heat between you grow stronger. The kiss was intense, and filled with desire and longing. When he broke away from it, he put your bags and other textbooks on the side of the cubicle, blocking the view from possible and unwanted prying eyes. 

A grin spread across his lips as he leaned in to kiss you. The kisses grew more intense and demanding, with a roughness that made you almost dizzy. 

He held you tight against him, the heat of his body enveloping yours.

Without breaking the kiss, you rose from your seat and straddled Ominis' lap, your legs embracing him. The chair creaked under the weight of two students entwined with each other. It was scandalous, doing this in the middle of the day, in the quiet library where anyone could walk in at any moment. But the danger only heightened the thrill for both of you.

The primal urge to claim you, to mark your body as his own, overtook Ominis. With a slow movement, he slid his hand down under your gray skirt and firmly cupped your ass. A low growl escaped him as he lifted you slightly and placed you on the wooden cubicle desk table in front of him. 

Your bodies rubbed together, and pressed against each other while he bit down on your lower lip, gently sucking on it as his hips ground against yours. His erection grew harder with each movement, the intensity almost too much for him to handle. 

He leaned in, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin of your neck as he left a trail of small pink bruises with each kiss. 

Ominis took your right hand, guiding it to the center of his pants where the bulge of his arousal strained against the fabric. His breath was hot against your ear as he whispered for you to feel him, to feel his size and understand the depth of his desire for you. The heat between your bodies intensified as you explored his length, sending sparks of pleasure through both of you.

“You see what you do to me?” Ominis growled, his now dark blue blind eyes smoldering with desire. "I can barely focus on anything else. I've even skipped classes just to relieve myself because of you." 

His hand trailed down your body, finding its way to your nipples which were already stiff and pressing against the fabric of your clothes. A low moan escaped from your lips as he teased and squeezed them between his fingers. Every nerve end tingled with need in your body. 

Ominis could feel himself growing harder and harder beneath your touch, the ache in his loins becoming almost unbearable and painful. He couldn't wait any longer. He wanted you right there, in the library, in that small wooden cubicle, in the middle of the day. Nothing else mattered except for fulfilling his desires with you.

With a sense of urgency, you swiftly unzipped his elegant pants and undid the button. Your fingers eagerly searched within his trousers, freeing his hard member from its confines. It stood tall and proud before you, like a monument to desire. 

His skin was as smooth as polished marble, flawless and pale, devoid of any hair. In one hand, he held a flickering wand, ready to warn of any intruders, while the other guided your hand up and down his length. 

As the rhythm between you grew steady, he reached for the buttons of your shirt. You quickly assisted in removing it, unable to wait any longer. Omnis could feel your desire for him, and he couldn't resist you either. As he pulled off your shirt, followed by your laced bra, he traced his fingertips over the delicate fabric. The texture felt exquisite to his touch. 

"Do you always wear such delicate lace bras, Y/N?" Ominis teased as his hands traced over the curves of your perfect breasts, causing them to rise and fall with each agitated breath. 

He pressed soft kisses as he unclipped the last piece of clothing covering your upper body. Ominis took his time, lavishing attention on both breasts equally, determined to give them the love and pleasure they deserved. His lips latched onto your hard pink nipples, suckling and nipping at them until he heard your soft moans echoing in his ears. 

"Not so loud, my dear. Your neediness is showing itself all of a sudden," Ominis said in a teasing tone. 

Your inner thighs pressed against his cock, creating delicious friction that made you moan even louder. Ominis' hand covered your mouth, muffling the sound as he continued to drive you wild with desire.

“Ominis I’ve been good… please” Your words were desperate and incoherent, barely making sense as they spilled out of your mouth.

Ominis joined in your game as soon as you gave him that green light. He pulled your skirt all the way up, exposing your beautiful skin to him.

“So, my dear, you think you've been good? Tell me just how much you believe you deserve what I can give you.” Ominis purred.

Ominis' hands, rough yet gentle, explored the soft skin of your inner thighs with a sense of urgency.  His unseeing eyes were locked onto your lips, and you couldn't help but grab him by his necktie and bite his lip in punishment for making you suffer. 

"I need you" you pleaded with desperation in your voice. "Please... I deserve it. I'm sorry I was late..." You knew you sounded pathetic, but at this moment, you didn't care. And Ominis loved it - every moan, every plea, every incoherent sentence that fell from your lips. 

His hand traveled lower and reached your white, soaked cotton panties. He could feel the heat emanating from your core, and he wanted nothing more than to claim it for himself. 

He gently pulled the bottom of your panties aside, exposing the delicate folds of your womanhood. The pale pink flesh glistened with your arousal, beckoning him closer. With his index finger, he traced the outline of your clit, eliciting a soft moan from your parted lips. Then, with a wicked grin, he lowered his head and tasted the sweet nectar that flowed from your entrance, putting one of your legs on his shoulder.

"You taste divine," he purred against your sensitive skin. "But I have a feeling you already know that."

You couldn't deny it as he continued to explore and tease you with his tongue. And when he finally pulled away, leaving you breathless and wanting more, he spoke again while circling your sweet spot. 

"I've heard you at night, darling. In your dorm room, alone with your thoughts and desires. I used to think you were pleasuring yourself while thinking of Sebastian, but now I wonder...who were you really thinking of?"

Your heart raced at his words, and before you could answer, he pressed his hard length against your slick entrance. You couldn't help but twitch in anticipation.

“Well, darling?. Who were you thinking of?” He wanted to hear his name falling from your lips, to know that you desired him as much as he desired you. 

Your dizzy head could only manage to cry a single word.

“ You.” 

Ominis pushed himself inside you, and he felt your walls clamp down around him at his abrupt move. He gently slid in and out, and he heard the moans leaving your chest. He couldn't believe how good you felt, and he couldn't wait to make you scream his name. He kissed you deeply, and he started to move faster. He could feel his balls slapping against your thighs.

Ominis picked up his pace, and he felt your hips moving against him. He could feel the wetness on his cock, and he felt it slide in and out of your body. He kissed you deeply, and he felt your hands grasping onto his back.

You almost felt guilty for how good Ominis' cock felt inside of you. How he moved, how his fingers traced every inch of your back, of your breasts, of your sex. 

"O-Ominis, Om-" You cried in his ear, almost reaching your climax. His handjob and the rhythm he had was the perfect equation you need to reach your orgasm. 

His movements became more urgent, his body pulsing with pleasure as he neared climax. 

Ominis could feel his balls tighten, the sensation intensifying with each thrust. A low growl escaped his lips as he released himself inside of you. He felt his hot liquid pouring out of him. With a satisfied low moan, he pulled out of you, feeling his slick cock drip onto the floor. He knew there would be a mess to clean up later, but at that moment, he didn't care. 

Despite everything they had just done, he was still hard and eager for more. Ignoring your need to catch your breath, he plunged back inside of you, causing you to gasp loudly and draw attention from the nearby librarian. 

The librarian's voice cut through the hazy fog of pleasure, jolting you out of your intense concentration. But not Ominis’.

“Dears? Is everything okay up there?” Her concerned tone was met with a sharp demand from Ominis. 

“Tell her we’re fine.” he commanded, his thrusts not faltering for a second. 

You struggled to compose yourself and spoke in a strained whisper, “W-We’re fine Ma’am, thank you.”

“Do you need assistance with anything dear? I can’t hear you very well.” The librarian's footsteps could be heard coming closer to where you were entwined with Ominis.

“Tell her we need bigger tables so I can fuck you in different posit-” 

“We’re good ma’am, Thank you!” You finally managed to say loud and clear.

“Shhh. Please do not scream,” she scolded gently. “Very well then, I’ll be at my desk if you need me.” With that, her footsteps receded and the two of you were left alone once again

Without warning, Ominis' hand shot out and wrapped around your neck, his fingers exerting just enough pressure to display his dominance. But despite his forceful hold, he was careful not to cause any harm. 

"Have you had enough of me, darling?" He growled in a deep, commanding voice.

"No…" You breathed out, your fingertips tracing the outline of his lips as you balanced his aggression with gentle and loving touches. 

Suddenly, he released you and spun you around, lifting one of your legs up onto the desk table. With ease, he slipped back inside of you and your body immediately responded with an arch of pleasure. 

His lips trailed down your back as his grip tightened on your hips, guiding the pace of his cock entering and exiting your body. Every thrust sent waves of ecstasy through you, leaving you in a state of pure bliss under his cold hands.

Your body trembled as his strong hand pulled your hair, forcing you to stand up straight and press against his hard chest. He grasped your neck with his other hand, exerting a gentle pressure as he massaged your swollen breast with cold fingers.

You were completely at his mercy, just as you always had been.

As the rhythm of his thrusts intensified, the sound of his balls slapping against your backside echoed through the empty cubicles. His pale hand found its way down to your throbbing clit, where he teased and rubbed it in tight circles. Each time he penetrated you deeper, it felt like he was claiming a piece of you. His powerful grip on your throat only added to the intensity, accompanied by his hoarse moans that filled your ear with your name over and over again.

All of these sensations combined into one overwhelming wave, bringing you both to another explosive orgasm. It was everything you needed in that moment, and you couldn't help but surrender completely to him. 

Ominis slowly withdrew from your body, leaving a trail of warmth and satisfaction in his wake. His body pulsed with pleasure as he released his warmth onto your back. Your skin tingled with the lingering sensation of his touch.

As you both caught your breath, Ominis reached for his handkerchief to clean up any traces of your intimacy. With gentle care, he helped you dress and made sure you were comfortable, continually asking if you were okay. 

Once you were fully clothed, he led you over to the desk again, sat you down, resting his head in your lap as he gazed up at you with adoration.

“May I have some Bertie Botts now, please darling?”

[lenaswritingandstuff]

Not alone [Harry Potter x reader]

Pairing: Harry Potter x f!reader

Summary: After spending some time with your crush Harry, and while on your way to Hogsmeade, you decide you don't want him to be alone.

Word Count: 1.3K

Warnings: Fluff, English is not my first language!

A/N: Had this idea (which was supposed to be a drabble but oh well) while watching the third movie yesterday. Harry and y/n are supposed to be in their third year (to stay true to the books) but feel 100% free to imagine them being older if it makes you more comfortable. Enjoy! Comments and reblogs are deeply appreciated :)

The one thing new third years in Hogwarts were looking forward to the most was the fact that, after hearing their elders talking about how awesome all the shops in Hogsmeade were and all these rumors about the Shrieking Shack, they were finally allowed to go too. When you received your permission form, you immediately went to your parents so they could sign it. Soon, your friends wrote to you about how fun the trips to the village would be, and you answered , genuinely, that you were just as excited. 

So when it was time for the new year to start and to get inside the Hogwarts express, your friends were already talking about it while looking for a compartment. After a while, you ran into three people, and you recognized them immediately, not only because they were in your year, but also because of them was your crush - Harry Potter. You immediately felt your heart beating faster and your cheeks becoming hotter, especially when, when he was about to enter a compartment after Hermione, he turned his head towards you, and seeing you, waved.

“Hi, y/n.”

You cleared your throat, trying to pull yourself back together, and managed to smile back.

“Hi, Harry.” 

He gave you one last smile before going into the compartment, and you couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Your friends didn’t know you had a silly crush on the Boy who Lived, as you knew they wouldn’t stop teasing you about it if they did know, so you kept your disappointment - and hope of the dark haired boy truly noticing you - to yourself. He talked to you sometimes, and you two were sometimes paired together for group projects which all ended in a very good grade - and even a correct one with Snape - and he was nice and friendly, but you felt like he acted the same with most of your classmates, which made you believe that your crush wasn’t reciprocated. 

The next month, the visits to Hogsmeade started, and you and your friends were just as excited as the other students. The day before the first visit, you went to the common room sometime after class and found Harry there, a book open before him - but it was obvious he wasn’t reading it, as he looked lost in his thoughts. There were only you two here, and you didn’t know whether you should go and talk to him or not. Gathering up some courage, you walked up to him.

“That book seems fascinating,” you teased.

Coming back to reality, Harry raised his head towards you and smiled.

“Oh, hum, yes,” he said. “We’re supposed to read it for Binns and write something about it.” 

“Ah, yeah, that one. I planned to do it tonight, too.”

And before you realized what you said, Harry answered.

“Oh. Well, we can do it together if you want?” 

You looked at him, incapable of speaking, and after a while, Harry cleared his throat. 

“I mean, it’s fine if you don’t want to, I know you have good grades in that class…”

“No!” you almost screamed. “I mean, of course we can do it together. I’d love to.” 

“Cool,” Harry said, nodding slightly. “Well, you should take a seat.” 

“Oh, of course, sorry.”

You felt yourself blushing, feeling horrible for being so awkward around him, but he didn’t seem to notice or care. The two of you started doing your homework, but soon started to talk about other topics like Quidditch or Professor Hagrid’s classes, not noticing the people coming and going. You guys laughed a lot too, and for the first time, it felt easy to talk to him. You still managed to finish the homework, and when you did, it was already time for dinner.

“Maybe we should go, don’t you think?” Harry asked. 

“Yes,” you nodded.

You two went to put your bags in your respective dorms before meeting again in the common room a minute after, and went together to the Great Hall. Here, you saw your friends as well as Hermione and Ron, and wondered if Harry would decide to rather stay with them than with you, but you ended up sitting next to him, and actually talked a lot with him, inadvertently forgetting about your friends. After dinner, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, you and Harry walked together back to the common room, still chatting. 

“y/n?”

You turned your head and saw your friend Parvati.

“Sorry to interrupt, but it’s time to go to bed.” 

“Oh.”

You looked around and saw that the rest of the Gryffindor house had already gone to their dorms.

“I guess you’re right.” you said before turning back to Harry. “Well, good night, Harry.”

“Good night, y/n.”

You followed Parvati into the dorm you shared, and fell into an easy sleep, dreaming of a boy with green eyes and a scar on his forehead.

The next day, everyone in your class was talking about going to Hogsmeade, which made you realize you maybe should have asked Harry if he was going.  The afternoon came, and you rolled your eyes when hearing Draco Malfoy brag about whatever new expensive thing his father had bought him, and went to the courtyard to join the students who were allowed to go to the village. After giving your signed permission form to Filch, you saw Hermione and Ron, and looked for Harry, who usually wasn’t far away, and saw him talking to Professor McGonnagall. You couldn’t hear what they were saying, but seeing Harry’s face, it couldn’t be something positive. You saw your Professor shaking her head, and after walking away a bit, going back to him and petting him on the shoulder in a compassionate gesture. You wanted to go and talk to him, feeling sad for him, but Professor McGonnagall gently touched your elbow.

“Let’s get going, Miss y/l/n.” 

You nodded, and turned back your head. Harry was still here, and your eyes met before he turned on his heels and went back inside the castle. Your friends actually waited for you, so it was easy to catch up with them, but as you approached Hogsmeade, you couldn’t help but think how Harry and how alone he must be feeling at this moment. Pondering whether you should go back to stay with him and if he wanted you to stay with him, you decided on the second option. Ignoring your friends’ confused questions and calls, you turned and ran back to the school, and, catching your breath, you went to look for the boy you had your heart. You started looking in the common room, but there was only the kind Neville. 

“Neville?” you asked. “Have you seen Harry?”

“Yes,” he nodded, “I saw him minutes ago, he was going to the library.” 

“Thank you,” you smiled.

You almost ran to the library, and found him sitting alone, a fist holding his cheek. He saw you when you came closer to the table, still a bit breathless.

“y/n? You’re not in Hogsmeade?” he asked, confused.

“I was going, but…” you gulped and had a small smile. “I…I didn’t want you to be alone.” 

Harry looked at you, not speaking a word, and after a moment, his silence made you doubt if you made the good decision.

“I mean, hum…I’d understand if you wanted to be alone, though? I…I can leave.” 

Feeling like you were gonna die of embarrassment, you quickly turned around to leave but you heard a chair moving and, seconds after, a hand on your arm. 

“y/n, wait!”

You stopped your pace, and when you turned around to face Harry, his hand was still on your arm.

“I’m sorry. I just wasn’t expecting you to come back for me. I…Maybe we can go eat chocolate by the fireplace in the common room?” 

You smiled, and felt your heart beater faster than ever.

“I’d love that very much.” 

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Masterlist

[hollowed-theory-hall]

I had always wondered why Binns wasn't replaced or the material updated for the History of Magic classes.

However I recently realised that History is a crucial part of understanding the world's past and paving the way for future. Not to mention History is tied with Civics/ Politics and plays a role in gaining your footing in the world and navigating creature relations.

To take such a crucial element away from the students and tell them to flounder on their own (especially muggle borns and raised who don't have the resources that pureblood and even half blood children do)

Coupled with the fact that whenever Harry learns a piece of history it's always from a biased source and by word of mouth (I mean text books can also be biased but still)

What I want to say is that generations of kids were seriously screwed over by the decision to not hire another effective History teacher.

Yes!! Yes!! All of this!!!

History is such an important thing to teach (I actually think real schools, at least where I live don't do a great job at it). As you mentioned, History is crucial to understanding politics, language, economy, and so much more. In the Harry Potter world, each spell comes with its own history of how it came into being and why, which affects how the spell is cast and what its effects are.

Now, Binns was the Hogwarts history Professor for a good century at least (he taught history in 1890 in Hogwarts Legacy as a ghost already), so it's not just Dumbledore who willfully keeps generations of Hogwarts students ignorant. And I think, if we opened their school books, we'd find a very biased account of Wizarding History and the goblin rebellions.

Now, I have a bit of a conspiracy theory about this and why history and magical theory aren't properly thought. Because their school books don't really cover why spells work or why potions need one ingredient over another, which in a world of magic feels like the bare minimum. I think the education problems, both with magical theory and with history are for the same reason — control.

As you mentioned, history is crucial to finding your footing in a culture, to understanding the world around you. Someone who is ignorant of history is easier to manipulate. They would be more prone to believing biased accounts and propaganda. And it's chilling how easy it was for the ministry to paint Harry as a deranged liar in book 5 by printing it in the Prophet. Even students who spoke with Harry and knew him personally believed it.

In book 7, a good portion of their world just kept living their lives, like there wasn't a war, like the minister wasn't under the Imperius. Some of the pure-bloods and half-bloods that have nothing to fear and aren't involved with the Death Eaters or the Order, they're just, there, living like nothing's wrong. They go to school, they go to work. Because if the newspaper (that's controlled by the ministry) says everything's fine, it must be true? Right? *sarcasm*

These are all signs of a very media-illiterate community that doesn't know how to be skeptical of what they read. And learning history, learning to ask questions about history, play a big part in teaching people how to be skeptical. I mean, learning about the history of propaganda and fascist regimes helps you know what to look for and how to hopefully not fall for the same tricks.

But the Wizarding World isn't interested in that. They're interested in a calm and controllable population.

Magical theory is the same in some ways. I wrote about how magic is all about intention here and here a bit. If you are focused and have enough magic and the force of will to back it up you can do anything. You don't actually need a wand or spells to cast magic, just a strong enough wish. This is how accidental magic works. Bright wizards like Tom and even Harry can learn to control their accidental magic, proving magic doesn't need wand waving and incantations. Yes, they make casting easier but they're not necessary.

But do you know what wands are necessary for? Following and identifying wizards. Wands are used to identify wizards and forbidding the use of them by creatures adds to the treatment of creatures as second-rate citizens.

And incantations? Well, if anyone could just cast whatever without a spell, magic would be incredibly hard (I might even say impossible) to regulate. You can't define which spells are unforgivable if spells don't exist. You can't make a list of illegal dark incantations if there are no incantations.

TL;DR

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is kind of a dystopia.

[ddejavvu]

hi !! if you’re still taking, could i request a james potter x deaf/hoh reader? something fluffy, it’s impossible to find anything like that 😫

please tell me if there's any inaccuracies here! the sign for lunch that i used is specifically ASL, sorry if it's not the one you'd use </3

--

Professor Binns is a nightmare. You struggle to read his lips, because they're silvery puffs of vapor, and they blend in too easily with the rest of his semi-transparent body. And his drawl isn't loud enough for you to catch, even if it does reverberate around the dusty classroom.

That's why James, the loudest student in the class, has been assigned your translator.

1617 - last recorded incident of death by flobberworm. He scrawls on your paper, and you snort.

Last? You ink onto the page, redipping your quill, Or only?

I think the guy ate one. James squints at the board, I can barely read his writing.

No one can. That's why you need a translator to begin with, because you can't hear him, and you can't read his chicken scratch.

You realize while Binns drones on that your paper is covered in notes. You slip a new piece out of your bag, and James is already frantically translating, hands moving a mile a minute.

He's signing now, 1589 first recorded death by flobberworm. It- He falters, face collapsing into a grimace, It crawled into his mouth while he was sleeping and he choked on it.

Gross, you sign back, scribbling the info onto your new page, Any more?

That's it, James signs, shaking his head, And I think- He pauses, I think he's letting us go.

There's a rush of movement around you, and you scramble to keep up. James is packed before you are, because the boy has some insane ability to remember information without taking notes on it, so he has nothing to pack. He hands you your notes as you wrestle with your notebook, and you take them with a quick sign of thank you.

Lunch? James signs, a quick eat at his mouth then noon with his arms. Then he fingerspells, Sirius and Remus are saving our seats.

You don't need to sign back okay for him to get the message, all you do is nod with a smile, and take his hand. He doesn't need to sign I love you, either, you know by the squeeze of his hand.

[life-at-hogwarts]

Darkness within (House of Gaunt)

Pairing: Ominis x GN! reader

Warnings: mentions of drinking, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, hurt/comfort

Word count: 3.3 k

“I’m sorry I’m making it so difficult. I wish I was easier to love.”

“Nothing about you is hard to love. In fact, loving you feels as easy as breathing. You don’t need to be ashamed of your scars. I know what I signed up for, and I haven’t changed my mind.”

Summary: Bromance. Violence. Trauma.

A/n: More emotional torture because that's just how I roll.

Chapter 5 of House of Gaunt

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 AO3

If you hadn’t felt the lack of sleep when you came back from your date night, you certainly felt it now. You had struggled to pay attention in your classes all morning. Partly because you were so sleep-deprived your brain could barely process what was going on, but also because just sitting next to Ominis made your stomach flutter. All you could think about was kissing him and your mind kept wandering back to the night before. Your distractedness cost you 5 housepoints in potions class when you accidentally added too much leech juice, causing the liquid to burn through the cauldron and flooding the potions stations of all those around you.

By lunch you were so exhausted you seriously considered skipping the rest of the day and calling in sick. You listlessly pushed your food around on your plate and fought the urge to rest your head on Ominis shoulder. The blonde had been quiet all morning, struggling to stay awake and was now resting his head in his palm, lost in thought, his meal still untouched.

“What’s on your mind?” you asked and pushed your plate away, officially giving up on trying to choke down lunch.

“Sebastian wasn’t in his bed when I came back. He must have spent the entire night in the Undercroft studying the journal,” Ominis sighed. “I’m worried about him.”

Since both of you had skipped breakfast, you had only seen your freckled friend briefly in class today and you hadn’t had the time yet to catch up.

“Have you tried talking to him about it?”

“He doesn’t listen!” Ominis groaned exasperated and tiredly rubbed his face. This entire thing with the journal really ate at him but you didn’t want to get caught in the crossfire between him and Sebastian. “His obsession with finding a cure is going to be…” Ominis stopped in the middle of the sentence and muttered under his breath,“Speak of the devil...”

You didn’t have to look up to know that Sebastian must be on his way towards the Slytherin table. No one could sneak up on Ominis, especially not Sebastian, whose footsteps and heartbeat he knew as well as his own. The freckled brunette slumped on the seat next to you, looking about as bad as you felt. Judging by the dark circles under his eyes he must have gotten about as much sleep as the both of you.

 “Sebastian! You look awful. How long did you stay up?”

“You’re one to talk. I know the two of you snuck out last night too. How was your date by the way?” he shot back, a taunting smile on his face. You laughed and gave him a cheeky wink.

“Don’t try to change the subject. We are worried about you,” Ominis chimed in, his voice sounding strained and tired.

“Look I don’t feel like being interrogated. Leave it alone. Seriously,” Sebastian groaned, unable to hide his annoyance. You shifted uncomfortably in your seat, and prayed they would leave you out of it. Trying to diffuse the tension you dramatically collapsed on the table, burying your face in your crossed arms. “Merlin what I would do for a quick nap right now. Do you think Professor Binns would even notice if we missed class?”

“Nice try darling, but I am not risking detention for a nap,” Ominis sighed and let his fingers run through your hair. Surprised by this public display of affection Sebastian raised an eyebrow but remained silent. It must be odd for him to see his best friends dating, you thought to yourself. I hope he doesn’t feel left out.  “Says the one who falls asleep in class,” you replied teasingly and laughed when Ominis pretended to pout. Sebastian joined in and just like that the tension between the two was gone and they were back to being best friends.

“Watch out Ominis. Mc will lead you down a dangerous path. Sneaking around the castle at night, skipping class, soon you will join us on our little excursions in the Highlands.”

“You wish. I don’t even want to know what you two are up to when I’m not around.”

“Don’t worry I will take care of your sweetheart,” Sebastian grinned, earning an annoyed eyeroll from the both of you. Then he added, “I’m happy for you. Truly. You two deserve to be happy. Just keep the snogging at a minimum when I’m around, please.”

----------

You clutched your scarf, buried your nose in the soft fabric to protect it from the sharp wind so typical for the Highlands and hurried your steps. The path to Hogsmeade was usually filled with Hogwarts students, but to your luck the weather seemed to have scared off most of them. The sky was dark and hung with even darker clouds, and the wind tugged on your clothes mercilessly, no doubt the presage of a storm. You rushed past the shops on main street and made your way up to the town square where Sebastian already waited for you at the foot of the giant willow tree.

“Hope you didn’t have to wait too long,” you greeted him, still out of breath.

“Tell me again why we didn’t just meet at the three broomsticks?” your friend grumbled as he tried to keep his thick brown locks away from his face.

“It was your idea to meet here,” you protested but your friend gave you a playful nudge to signal that he was just messing around.

“Tell you what the first round of Butterbeer is on you and we are even,” he laughed.

Only minutes later the both of you warmed your hands on the warm mugs and inhaled the sweet scent of the liquid. The three broomsticks was relatively empty but you welcomed it. The things you and Sebastian usually discussed required a certain degree of privacy.

“So, tell me about your date,” Sebastian wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. He seemed to be in a good mood today.

“Didn’t Ominis already give you a play-by-play?”

The brunettes face darkened. “Not exactly.” Seems like I’ve hit a nerve. Of course, you had noticed that something between them had changed ever since the scriptorium. Usually, you tried to stay out of it, but today you felt like you had to ask. “What’s going on between the two of you?”

“The usual. We’re still having…a disagreement over the spellbook. I’m sure your beau must have told you all about it,” he scoffed, and his entire demeanor changed. Gone was the lighthearted mischief maker that you knew and loved. You had seen and felt his dark side several times, this irritable, angry and bitter version of him and knew arguing with him would be pointless but you had to try.

“He’s worried about you because he loves you, you know?”

“If he loved me, he would help me find a cure for Anne,” Sebastian spat, his voice cold as ice.

“Don’t be like that.”

“Of course, you take his side.”

“Now that we are courting you mean. That doesn't change anything for me. Our friendship is a separate thing, I’m just trying to understand what’s going on between the two of you,” you protested and fought the urge to roll your eyes. It was unfair of Sebastian to accuse you of taking sides, when you had always been there for him to help him execute whatever crazy plan he had come up with.

“Don’t. This is between Ominis and I. Now let’s talk about something else. You still haven’t told me how your date went,” he tried to diffuse the situation and gave you a tired smile. “But first, I’m going to get us something a little stronger.” You couldn’t help but smile too when you watched your friend work his charm and quick wit to convince Sirona to slip him two glasses of Firewhiskey.

On your way back to the castle you felt the alcohol taking effect, keeping you warm from the icy wind. Next to you, Sebastian swayed dangerously – he had had even more shots than you. We are going to be so hungover tomorrow. The way back to the castle felt endlessly long. This was made even worse by Sebastian who tried to lay down on the floor or run away from you every two minutes. You felt like a babysitter chasing after him and getting him to follow you. When you finally reached the castle, you decided to escort him to the dorms. Ominis welcomed you with raised eyebrows when he noticed the state his friend was in and together you dragged him into their room. After you had taken care of your friend, Ominis accompanied you back to the exit of the common room. “I take it you two had fun tonight. I’m going to have fun holding back his hair all night, judging by the condition he’s in.”

“Are you mad at me?”

“Of course not. I’m just tired,” he quickly reassured you and placed a quick kiss on your lips before he backed away and made a face. “That bad?” you giggled.

“Let’s just hope you don’t run into any professors.”

Still, he didn’t back away when you pulled him closer for another kiss. You buried your fingers in his hair and pressed your cold body against his warmth. He replied by deepening the kiss, his tongue starting to explore yours, as he tightened his grip on you. You enjoyed the way he shivered and gasped under your touch when you ran your hands down his spine. Then suddenly, the warmth was gone. Ominis had forced himself to pull away and left you longing for more. You looked at him, puzzled, and watched him catch his breath. Why did you stop? “We shouldn’t. Not here. Not like this,” he finally managed to get out and gestured at the room. You didn’t care. Ominis cupped your face and placed a gentle kiss on your forehead.

“You know how much I want you. But this is not the time or place.” Pretending to pout you turned away from him, but you were too drunk to keep up your pretense and started giggling. 

“Go to bed, darling. Sleep it off. I have to go look after Sebastian,” Ominis murmured softly and stroked your cheek. “Are you going to make it back to your dorms safely?” The concern in his voice made your heart soar. It felt good, being loved this way. “I’ll be fine,” you reassured him and reached for his hand. He pulled you into a hug instead and you buried your face in his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “Goodnight, darling”, he whispered and placed another kiss on the top of your head.

As soon as you stepped through the doorway into the corridor someone grabbed your arm. “Ominis…,” you giggled and turned around. You froze when you were met by Marvolos piercing stare and instinctively took a step back.

“You know if you want to be with a Gaunt so badly, I would be the better option. I don’t get why you waste your time with my crippled brother. It’s not like he is going to inherit anything,” he sneered, his voice dripping with hatred and disgust.

Without hesitation you took a swing and punched him. Hard. A disgusting cracking sound echoed through the empty corridor, followed by a long silence. Finally, Marvolo looked up, a nasty smile on his lips, blood dripping from his broken nose. You suddenly became aware of how helpless you would be if he decided to fight you right now. Still half-sedated from the alcohol you were an easy target. You clutched your wand and waited for Marvolo to retaliate. Nothing happened. The only sound was the steady dripping of blood onto the stone floor. It made him look even more dangerous. Even though he was younger than you your instincts told you not to underestimate him. According to Ominis he took great pleasure in practicing the Unforgivables on other people. After a few more moments that felt like an eternity he simply turned around and vanished through the entrance of the common room. Your hands were shaking when you made your way back to your dorms. Whatever this was with Marvolo, you could feel that it was only the beginning.

-------

When you woke up in the morning your head was throbbing. You could only guess how Sebastian must be feeling.  Thinking about the events of last night you groaned, knowing that Ominis would not be amused when he found out what you had done to his brother, and you were not in the mood for conflict. Maybe I’ll just stay in my room all day. As much as you loved that plan you knew you had to go to the Room of Requirement to take care of all your rescued creatures. Highwing always got grumpy when he didn’t get his dinner on time, and you really didn’t want to deal with a grumpy Hippogriff.

You spent the entire morning feeding, grooming, and playing with your creatures, really taking your time. After that you tended to your plants and quickly brewed a few more healing potions for good measure. You even managed to get Deek to bring you a couple of sandwiches from the kitchens, so you didn’t have to go to the great hall for lunch. Just when you thought about taking Highwing out for a ride you heard someone enter the Room of Requirement. Ominis.

“I knew I’d find you here.”

You tried reading his face to figure out how to approach this, but he remained expressionless.  While you were thinking about what to say he continued, “You don’t need to hide from me. I heard what you did to Marvolo last night. What was that about?”

“I can handle your brother.”

Ominis furrowed his brows and moved closer. “What happened?” he asked softly. He didn’t seem angry at all, he seemed concerned. You let out a shaky breath and gently placed a hand on his forearm, “It was nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“What did he say to you?” Ominis asked again, his milky gaze holding yours.

“He insulted you and I lost my temper. That’s what happened.”

For a long time, no one said anything. You would have done anything to know what was going on inside of Ominis’ head as you waited for his response. Was he angry at you? You thought about Marvolos disgusting grin and clenched your fists again. I’m not going to apologize for this, you thought grimly. Finally, Ominis spoke up.

“I think it’s best that we end this right now before you get hurt.”

It felt like someone had hit you in the face and you quicklypulled back your hand that was still resting on his arm. This reaction didn’t make any sense. It wasn’t even you who got hurt but Marvolo. If anything, this proved that you could look after yourself.

“Where is this coming from? I had a little disagreement with your brother and you want to break up?”

“They will come after you. It was stupid of me to think they would ever let me be happy,” he said, his voice shaking.

“Ominis, I’m not going anywhere,” you tried to reassure him, but he was starting to panic. His hands were shaking violently, and he kept cradling his head repeating the same thing over and over again. “They’re going to hurt you. And it will be my fault.”

Seeing him like this, you felt helpless. “I need you to calm down. Focus on my voice and breathe. Nothing is going to happen to me, alright? Your family won’t hurt me. It’s alright. Everything is alright,” you once again tried to talk him down, but it was no use. He seemed to be trapped inside of his own mind and you couldn’t get him out.

 “My thoughts are so loud. I can’t make them stop. It’s so loud. I need to make it stop,” he whispered, tears in his eyes. Now you were starting to panic as well. You had never seen him like this before and it scared you. What scared you even more was that you didn’t know how to help him.

“Stay here. I’ll go get Sebastian,” you said and hurried out of the room. You didn’t even bother searching for him in the Slytherin dorms and headed straight for the Undercroft. Sure enough, you found your friend, his nose buried in the old tome you had found in the Scriptorium.

“What’s wrong?” Sebastian asked when he saw your flushed face.

“Something is wrong with Ominis. I don’t know how to calm him down. He insists that his family is going to do something to me. He says he can’t make his thoughts stop,” you blurted out, stumbling over your words.

Sebastian nodded and closed his book. “I see. He gets like that sometimes. Bring me to him. I know what to do.”

-------

The sun was about to set when you made your way to the Slytherin dorms. A few minutes ago you had received an owl from Sebastian, that Ominis was better and wanted to talk to you. As you hurried down the corridors of Hogwarts you smiled to yourself. It was heartwarming the way these two took care of each other, despite being in a fight. The connection between them was more than friendship, it was brotherhood.

Ominis waited for you in front of the entrance to the common room. Before you could say anything he offered you his hand. “Care to accompany me for a walk?”  Even though you wanted nothing more than ask how he was and what had happened, you silently interlocked your fingers with his, giving him space. For a while you walked in silence, leaving the dungeons behind and passing the empty great hall. When Ominis lead you through the courtyard towards a little iron gate you finally understood where you were headed. The boathouse. Of course. On your way down the endless-seeming staircase Ominis finally started to speak.

“Sorry you had to see me like this.”

“There is no need to apologize. Do you want to tell me what happened?” you asked tentatively. The blonde took a shaky breath before answering and you squeezed his hand reassuringly.

“Sometimes I get these thoughts. They are not real, but they feel so real that I lose myself in them. It’s like they are screaming at me. I don’t know how to explain it.”

“What are they saying?”

“Usually my worst fears. Things I don’t want to happen,” he whispered and lowered his gaze, collapsing into himself. You had seen him like this before – at Gaunt Manor when his father had raised his voice at the dinner table. Seeing what his family had done to him made your blood boil, but you put your anger aside and asked softly, “That sounds awful. How can I help you when something like that happens?”

“I don’t know.”

“We’ll figure it out.”

“I’m sorry I’m making it so difficult. I wish I was easier to love.”

“Nothing about you is hard to love. In fact, loving you feels as easy as breathing. You don’t need to be ashamed of your scars. I know what I signed up for, and I haven’t changed my mind.”

Ominis still didn’t look at you, his empty gaze fixated on the dark water of the lake.  “You haven’t seen me at my worst yet. Believe it or not I’m actually keeping it together pretty well at the moment. That can change. And when it does, things get ugly. You don’t want to be around when that happens.”

You could feel him trying to pull away but you didn’t let him. “Stop. I’m perfectly able of making my own decisions. Try to push me away as much as you like, but I’m not going anywhere.”

[evesburden]

Tormentum Tactus [Ominis x F!Slytherin Reader]

Part two of Malogranatum. In which Ominis learns very swiftly what it’s like to be an idiot. Something he previously had only the honor of seeing others excel at. As usual this isn’t proofed so please don’t yell at my mistakes. I’m going to blame the adhd.

It had been several weeks since you both had your chat in the common room. Ominis had been sure to take alternate routes to any classes you both shared, stealing end seats next to Sebastian as a makeshift barrier, and keeping his attention into books to avoid conversation. Fingers gliding along pages, ridges meeting the pads of his fingers, brows neatly knitted somewhere between concentration and irritability. A firework sign of ‘do not interrupt me’.

However, he was never actually getting any reading done.

He had tried, of course, but all he could focus on was you. The looming anxiety at the mere prospect of having to talk with you. His frustration that he needed to act this way at all. Your chiming voice and his own swearing that he could feel your gaze on him. It always left his neck as it did after reading outside during summers in Feldcroft - hot to the touch and no doubt lightly burnt in an uncomfortable splotch.

He hoped to Merlin it wasn’t outwardly discolored to where anyone else would notice. If it had been, everyone had been charitable enough not to bring it to attention. Lest of all, yours.

History of Magic was different, and it was the class that he both thrilled and dreaded. A makeshift of his own personal Hell, no doubt fabricated by the very universe to achieve nothing but to torment him. Ominis always walked through that threshold every day feeling like he had swallowed a bogart, and it was attempting to claw its way through his ribs and up his throat. Clenching his heart and lungs beneath grasping feral hands.

It was the class you were assigned to sit next to one another.

Ominis would have sent an owl weeks ago to request his family say something, anything, to get him out of that class entirely. Unfortunately, he also knew that there would be no way headmaster Black wouldn’t be so tactless as to confidently tell you why you no longer had any classes with the Gaunt child.

If there was anything worse than his masochistic situation at hand, it would have been you knowing about it.

So be it. If the halls of Hogwarts had deemed it worthwhile a mission to make Ominis miserable, he was at least going to sleep through the dull hour that was Professor Binns’ drolling.

Or, rather, he would be if it wasn’t for the off beat fidgeting you were assaulting upon your thigh. It was overwhelming his sense of hearing entirely — Barely being able to make out the pre-course chatter of your peers around him.

Tap-tap.

Tap.

Tap. Tap tap.

Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap-

Ominis felt his brow twitch as he automatically reached over and firmly pressed your wrist down against your thigh, voice tumbling through a pale clenched jaw, “Your incessant tapping is driving me mad.”

A thrill sparked uncomfortably through his chest, down towards his stomach, his lungs feeling a tad tight. Ominis could have sworn his heart stuttered as well, but the feeling was so fleeting it was difficult to discern.

That’s new.

Ominis pulled his hand away abruptly, turning his head as if he were capable of accidentally making eye contact. He had never felt his screened eyes as vulnerable when it came towards reading his emotions — but now it was a worry. With his hand now neatly concealed under the table, he stretched the sinew of his fingers at an attempt of exorcising the ghost of your flesh from his.

The sensation was…oddly unpleasant. Yet, he could feel something inside him wanting to replicate the feeling over and over again. Was he the only one who felt that?

He couldn’t possibly.

“Oh, sorry Ominis,” You sounded so reprieved, “I’m just worried about Sebastian.”

Ah.

He cleared his throat, as if it would dispel the new, much sharper pang of discomfort at your mention of his friend, “Yes, well…That makes two of us.”

Thankfully, neither of you got to continue your conversation as Cuthbert Binns hovered at the chalkboard — marking the start of the lesson.

Ominis was sure to gather his things quickly once his personal torture was over and make haste away from you.

For once, he was not able to feign sleep during the lecture.

——————————————————————————

“Why won’t you come with us?” Sebastian tempted, his voice sparking upwards that suggested he was entirely excited by the prospect. The auburn haired Slytherin had been pestering most of the day for Ominis to join you both at Honeydukes.

“It’s tumultuous. Aside, I don’t want sweets.”

“You think we’re loud?”

No.

Ominis equated the notion with confusion, uncertainty, and turbulence. A metaphorical potion that only Garreth Weasley himself could have concocted in all of its very disruption to his senses. However, Sebastian’s take on the word was what he had so hoped would be the interpretation.

To be honest, Ominis wasn’t sure what to make the three of you as a group. You always knew what to say to soothe his own anxieties, and when to push or pull him to an end. However, you also brought something out in Sebastian that greatly worried him. While you made Ominis feel uncharacteristically mortal and vulnerable, he could tell that you made Sebastian feel unrestricted.

It was a troubling thought.

“I just don’t think your new friend and I are well suited,” Ominis explained with a small gesture.

Ominis was prepared for a cheeky comment, the reeling of a line that he didn’t even know Sebastian had set. Usual playful banter and perhaps a hand quickly clasping upon his shoulder. What he was met with instead was just silence. Ominis let it marinate for a moment. And then another. A few beats of nothing but the shuffle of their robes as they walked down the halls.

It was out of character enough that he turned his head, “Sebastian?”

“Ah,” his voice meekly punctuated, his hand rubbing at the back of his neck, “She heard you.”

Ominis’ heart crashed several stories beneath him, leaving a ringing in his ears so loud he would have been shocked it wasn’t audible to others.

His roaring anxiety became outwardly camouflaged by anger, his tone sharp and accusatory, like it would transfer both his guilt and panic to another, “Why didn’t you warn me?”

“How was I to know? She was coming right around the corner! Besides, you usually sense her coming before I even do.”

That much was true, as embarrassing of a fact it was. He wasn’t even so much sure if it was a sense, or if he had subconsciously committed the slightest sound of your gait and scent to memory without realizing. Just like the touch of your wrist this morning, pieces of you seemed determined to haunt him without his consent.

Ominis groaned. He did want to avoid you for his own benefit, but the last feat he had set to accomplish was to hurt you. His thoughts drifted to what your expression must have looked like. Did your face fall? Did you force a obviously deceptive smile as you walked by? Did your eyes meet Sebastian’s or had you opted to avoid them?

Were you looking at him instead?

And why did he not realize you were so close?

He was near cursing himself at his catastrophic demonstration of idiocy, “I…I should apologize.”

“Well, I wasn’t going to say anything.”

“Sebastian? Kindly shut up.”

[fanartandfanfiction]

Hogwarts Legacy modern AU

-email from Phineas black-

Staff,

I’ve made some important decisions. I will not be answering questions now or ever, so don’t bother.

1. I’m cancelling history of magic. Everyone hates it and it’s useless. Just look something up if you want to know. We’ll call the ghostbusters to get rid of Binns.

2. Every Tuesday will be pajama day. If you are uncooperative, you will be punished.

3. I’ve decided Hufflepuff is the best house and that the decorations in the great hall should all be yellow and black, and Slytherin can suck it.

-Phineas Nigellus Black, your esteemed headmaster and baddest bitch around

-text message-

Sharp: Did you really expect to get away with it?

MC: I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.

Sharp: You know he knows, right? You’re the only other one with access to his computer.

MC: Well he shouldn’t demand I help him all the time. Also he barely knows how to use his email, and I specifically said not to ask.

Sharp: You MAYBE could have gotten away with it, until the part about hufflepuff and signing it “the baddest bitch around”

MC: you know what, it was worth it.

[mattyambrose]

Matty Ambrose - Character Sheet

MC Introduction: Name: Matty Loraine Ambrose Name meaning: Matty was named after her grandfather, Matthew Ambrose. Pronouns: She/her Age: 15-18 (during her school lore) Gender: Female Birthday: April 26th, 1875 Zodiac Sign: Taurus Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland House: Gryffindor Patronus: Graphorn Animagus: N/A Wand: Alder Wood, Phoenix feather core, 13”, Slightly yielding Blood Status: Muggleborn Languages: English, Irish (Gaeilge) Ethnicity: Irish ... Appearance: Race: Caucasian Eye Color: Blue Hair Color: Blonde Hair Type: 2c-3a curls (ignore the mod, I couldn’t find a good one for her type of curls) Height: 5’4” (Teen height) 5’8” (Adult height) (162 cm + 172 cm) ... Personality traits: Positive Traits: Loyal, Brave, Quick Thinker, Optimistic, Empathetic, Good Chaotic Energy, Joyful, Supportive. Negative Traits: Very Impulsive, Extremely Self-Sacrificing, Takes Others Problems Upon Herself, Sometimes A Bit Overbearing Strengths: Her Overall Positive Attitude About Most Things Weaknesses: Sometimes Cares Too Much And Can’t Let Go. More Info: Boggart: The Sluagh Mirror of Erised: Her being happy with her family Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Dancing, Dueling, Going on Adventures, Rock Climbing. Amortentia: pressed flowers, parchment, and rain. Future Occupation: Auror (Hit Witch division) Favorite Spell: Confringo Least Favorite Spell: The Babbling Curse .. Skills: Best subject: Defense Against the Dark Arts Favorite subject: Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions Favorite Professor: Professor Fig and Professor Hecate Worst subject: Astronomy Least favorite subject: Divination Least favorite professor: Professor Binns Quidditch Position: Seeker ... Family Father's Name: Howard Ambrose Age: 35 (When Matty was 15) Status: Alive Blood Status: Muggle House: (Would be in Gryffindor if he wasn’t a Muggle) Personality: Very fun, out-going, funny, witty, sarcastic, a good dad. Notes: Howard always said he’d name his firstborn child after his father, Matthew, and so when Matty was born (and ended up being the only child), even though she was a girl, she still got her grandfather's name. They just gave it more of a feminine twist... Mother's Name: Ada Ambrose Age: 34 (When Matty was 15) Status: Alive Blood Status: Muggle House: (Would be in Hufflepuff if she wasn’t a muggle) Personality: Very kind and sweet, welcoming, understanding, a good listener, good comforter, a very caring mother. ... Future Family Children: Eleazar, Caroline, Marcellus, Adonis, and Anne Sallow. Relationships: Love Interest: Sebastian Sallow (Matty x Sebastian) Age: 15/16 + 15/16 House: Gryffindor and Slytherin First met each other in: Defense Against the Dark Arts class ... Best friends: Hope McGowan, Esme Greenwood, Garreth Weasley, Ominis Gaunt. Rivals/Frienemies: Imelda Reyes, Eric Northcott, Apollo Morgan. .. Enemies: Victor Rookwood, Theophilus Harlow, Ranrok, Leona Oswald, Charles Willoughby, Apollo Morgan (eventually), Aurelius Gaunt, Lyssa Gaunt, Marvolo Gaunt. ..

[doo-wop-city]

Snow Day in Doo Wop City, Part 4

What a pleasant surprise! I found some photos my husband completely forgot about. This is wondeful, because I wanted to see some photos of North Wildwood in the snowy winter, too, and now we have them. Viewing these in the hot summer heat of July makes me feel not so on fire! I’ll share them with you, for a glimpse of what Wildwood looked like six months ago, and what it may be like six months…

[phoebe-delia]

Hey phoebe!! I love all of your taylor swift songfics!!

How about some drarry for 'Delicate'? I think that would be fun to write (and read)!!

<3<3

Hey Yuvika!! @purplehotmess. Thank you so much, my lovely fellow Swiftie!!

So here's the deal. I've technically done this song before. BUT 1. It wasn't all that fleshed out. And 2. Because of that, I've actually been meaning to give it another go. I think there are themes to the song I didn't explore as much. Not shading my original; but I love this song and think it fits Drarry SO well and I want to it full justice.

And yes I know I’ve written. Like. So many fics like this. In this setting. In fact I’m pretty sure there’s a scene in YAIL almost exactly like this. But also. It’s one of my favorite things to both read and write. And I’m trying to get into the “two cakes” mindset. So here’s some shameless fluffy floofness. Cw: very brief mention of grieving a loved one.

And with that, all that's left to say is this: 1, 2, 3 LET'S GO BITCH!

Raindrops clung to the grass beneath their limbs. They were propping themselves up on their forearms, legs stretched out in front of them. They knew they were making their robes damp, but it was worth it for the view at their feet of the moonlight spilled on the Black Lake. It was quiet, save for the chirping insects Harry couldn’t identify by sound alone.

“Harry, I—“ Draco hesitated, and suddenly pressed his lips together, glancing away.

Harry turned onto his side to face Draco. “What?”

“I—just wanted to know what you thought of Binns’ lecture today.”

Harry rolled his eyes. “You know you and Hermione are the only ones who don’t nap during his class. What were you going to say?”

Draco closed his eyes a moment, seeming to collect himself before he spoke again. “I think we should talk. About tomorrow.”

Harry frowned. “Graduation? Did you forget what McGonagall said during rehearsal? She’ll call us up, we get our diploma, and sit down. Pretty standard, I think.”

Draco gave him a flat look. “Not the ceremony, you dolt. What happens after.”

“The reception?”

“Are you being dense on purpose?”

Harry huffed. “No! I’m just confused as to why you’re being all intense about this.”

Draco signed, tilting his head back, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Harry’s eyes were drawn to it for a moment before flickering back up to Draco’s face. “I’m asking about what happens after we graduate. With us,” Draco gestured between the two of them.

Harry froze. They hadn’t talked about this. He hadn’t thought about it, if he was honest with himself. He’d been too wrapped up in enjoying Hogwarts without worrying about imminent death, and falling into this—thing—with Draco to think about his future beyond deciding not to decide. He had Grimmauld Place and a regular mind healer—so he’d figured he at least had the bare minimum covered. He just assumed Draco would fit in there, somewhere, in the hazy picture of the rest of his life.

“What do you want?” Harry asked.

Draco looked away again, eyes pointed at the lake in front of them. “I was hoping you’d go first. I’m not good at this type of thing.”

Harry chuckled. “You think I’m much better?”

“Well you’re a Gryffindor, aren’t you? At least Slytherins are known for saving face. Are you telling me you can be brave enough to consistently tell death to fuck off—but not to have a vulnerable conversation?”

Harry smiled, amused. “Pretty much, yeah.”

Draco huffed. “That bodes well for this, then. Glad I brought it up.”

Harry let out a laugh. “Well, since you were brave enough to start this, I guess it’s only fair I continue it.”

Draco nodded. “Yes. Go on.”

“Give me a minute! So impatient.” Harry grinned at Draco’s eye roll.

They say in silence for a few moments while Harry thought, and Draco was clearly trying to appear nonchalant while he waited. Harry was surprised that it didn’t take long to decide what to say, but he gave it just a second longer—seeing Draco try and fail to be subtle was too much fun.

When he spoke, the words came out as easily as if he’d been planning them for months.

“I think we’ve come a long way. Both in the time we’ve known each other, and just in the last year. I know we’ve known each other all that time but I don’t think I ever really knew you until we stopped hating each other.

“I enjoy you, Draco. I like you; I like knowing you. I like being with you. I liked being your friend at first. I really like being more. I like that our close friends know, but that we got to explore this with some privacy. I like what we have, and—“ Harry reached over and took Draco’s hand, which gave his a light squeeze— “I don’t want it to end just because we’re going into the real world. I don’t know what I want to do other than renovate Grimmauld, keep going to therapy, and spend time with the people who are important to me. And that includes you.”

Harry let his words hang in the air a minute; let Draco take it in. Wide gray eyes studied him, and Harry tried not to blush under the scrutiny.

“Er, your turn,” Harry stammered, retracting his hand, suddenly shy.

Draco didn’t respond for a long moment, looking at Harry blankly.

“Well! Say something!” Harry huffed.

Draco swallowed. “Do you want—are you saying—”

“I’m saying I want to be with you. Properly. I want to hold your hand in public. Take you on dates. Go to the cinema—”

“What’s a cinnamona?”

“It’s—it’s fun, trust me. I want to show you so much. I want you to show me things, in return. I want us to be together. As adults.” Harry shrugged. “Just us.”

Draco let out a shaky breath. “I—Harry, I’m not…I’m not good enough for you. You’ve got to know that. Being together in public would bring you immense backlash. It would be—”

“Worth it,” Harry said, making his eyes meet Draco’s. “Absolutely worth it. The angry letters would make great paper to potty train our Crup.”

Draco let out a laugh. “Oh, we’ve got a Crup now?”

Harry nodded, grinning. “Yes we do. His name is Mr. Fluffsworth.”

Draco laughed again, a bit softer. “How are we to have a Crup if we don’t li—” he cut himself off, cheeks flushing.

“If we—oh,” Harry trailed off, letting silence settle between them. But it didn’t take long for the words to come, for honey-sweet certainty to flood his body. “Move in with me.”

Draco looked at him, stunned. “W-what did you just say?”

“Move in with me. We did well enough sharing a dorm; we’ll have a whole house now. And it’s not like we’ve got to pay rent, since it’s already m-mine,” Harry cleared his throat against the surge of grief and pressed on. “Move in with me.”

Draco swallowed. “How can you be so sure?”

“I just am. Draco you make me so happy it scares me,” Harry said. “But in a good way! The best way. I’ve never been so happy to be so terrified, I—”

Draco reached over and cupped Harry’s jaw. “You’re rambling, love. It’s alright. I understand.”

Harry sagged in relief. “See? You see what you do for me? Move in with me. Please. Please say yes.”

Draco stared for a long moment, as if trying to find something in Harry’s face, and then laughed again. “You are the strangest person I’ve ever met.”

Harry quirked a small, hopeful smile. “That’s not a ‘No.’”

Draco laughed, grin growing as he said, “Yes, yes, you absolute maniac, I’ll move in with you!”

Harry grinned and tackled Draco into his back, kissing him breathlessly. They finally pulled apart for air, but stayed close, foreheads pressed together.

“On one condition,” Draco whispered. Harry felt his chest seize with momentary panic before he saw the smile on Draco’s lips and in his eyes.

“Anything.”

“I get to name the Crup.”

[littlemuoi]

WESSEXES' TOUR A TRIUMPH: PEI, Halifax, Montreal, St John's on Edward and Sophie's Itinerary by Scott Burke (2001)

Summer brought a Royal homecoming in the persons of Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex. A very happy Prince Edward Island tour was Sophie's first visit to the Canada, after which Edward and she proceeded to undertake further duties in Halifax and Montreal.

Touching down at Charlottetown Airport just after 3 pm on July 14, Their Royal Highnesses made their way to Province House where they were officially welcomed by the Lieutenant Governor, the Premier and the Solicitor General who was representing the Prime Minister. Crowds stood for some hours in the sun as they awaited the Royal couple, aware that it was Sophie's first official visit outside the British Isles. But HRH delighted those she met during the walkabout following the arrival ceremonies, seeming natural and relaxed in blue suit and matching accessories as she worked the crowds. I was delighted to be able to present her with a bouquet of flowers which HRH seemed happy to receive. As she signed the Golden Book, this keen Royal-watcher noticed that she shares a trait with her nephew Prince William: both are left-handed! But the ease and informality of the Royals were to prove typical of the entire trip: made possible by the down-to-earth nature of Edward, the charming and kind personality of his elegant wife and their joint fondness for a little light-hearted humour.

In his welcoming remarks, Premier Pat Binns observed that "The Crown remains a symbol of freedom and justice, and of our hopes for peace and dignity for all citizens. In reaffirming our support for the Monarchy, we are reaffirming our support for ideals, values and aspirations that it represents." After reorganizing his notes which wind had blown off the podium, Prince Edward replied with a very informal thank you. "Over the years," HRH observed, "Canada and Canadians have always been extremely kind to me, and I've always enjoyed the time I spent here. I am sure you will all extend the same hospitality to my bride. I am told you are not supposed to use the term after a year of marriage, but I can't really believe that it has been more than a year since I took that plunge. Time flies when you are enjoying yourself." After a brief tour of the Confederation Chamber, the couple returned to the Delta Prince Edward, their home during the stay, another name sake for the Prince. That evening, they attended a performance at the Fathers of Confederation Centre for the Arts, hosted by the Premier.

Saturday brought a full day of engagements for the Wessexes as they toured across the Province. Their first stop was the Rodd Brudenell River Resort. Emerging from their helicopter, the couple unveiled a plaque for the property's redevelopment. The ceremony complete, resort guests and some members of the public enjoyed a BBQ on the law with the Royals, which was followed by a brief tour via golf cart, the Prince at the wheel. I had a brief chance to speak to Edward ­ but felt nervous enough in doing so that when HRH asked me if I played golf I confusedly answered "yes" even though I had never tried the game!

The afternoon brought Edward and Sophie to a concert at St Mary's Church, Indian River. This was followed by a taste of PEI's most celebrated produce in the form of french fries at Irving-owned Cavendish Farms in Kensington. The Countess mischieviously confessed to feeling a little peckish and asked if she could have a chocolate milkshake to accompany the potatoes. At this point Edward stepped in and jokingly poked fun at her, warning her not to spoil her dinner! Later the Royals made a brief visit to Gateway Village. This lies at the entry of the Confederation Bridge which links the Island to New Brunswick.

Saturday evening brought the State Dinner for 604 invitees, hosted by the Canadian Government. The gala evening allowed the Countess to wear for the first time the tiara given her as a wedding present from The Queen. Solicitor General and Island MP Lawrence MacAulay who sat with Sophie at one of the round tables in the hotel ballroom stated that he was impressed with her thoughtfulness: "Quite simply she's a lady who wants to make things happen," he observed.

No rest came to Edward and Sophie on Sunday, as their busy day started with Matins at St Peter's Cathedral and a visit to historic All Souls Chapel. A large crowd gathered outside and joined the congregation in singing the Royal Anthem prior to a brief walkabout. Their Royal Highnesses then walked to Fanningbank where His Honour hosted a private luncheon in his home, members of the RCMP Musical Ride flanking the driveway. Around 2 pm they left to visit Confederation Birthplace Commemorative Park on the Charlottetown waterfront where TRH unveiled a small plaque and planted a rose bush, as well as visiting Lobster pound.

As the Royals walked through Confederation Park, they stopped to watch some child gymnasts, at which point Sophie said that she had also tried gymnastics while at school. They also encountered some interpretive guides costumed as Fathers of Confederation and speaking in English accents. The Prince asked a woman in the crowd if she spoke English; on receiving her positive answer he told here "Good, because those people over there need some serious help," to the laughter of the crowd. Martial arts and magic were also on offer in the Park, the Countess observing "I'm glad I didn't volunteer for that" in reaction to a rather distasteful trick involving the appearance of an undergarment from a spectator's cleavage!

Later on Sunday came the event which provided the original inspiration for the Wessexes' tour, the opening of the 39th Annual Canadian Branch Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. In his remarks after viewing some cultural performances, The Earl spoke about the Commonwealth and its parliamentary traditions: "It took us in Britain centuries to develop the Westminster style... is it really feasible to ask others to achieve the same in a matter of decades? It seems to work for us ­ just! But does that mean it works for everyone, and are we falling into the same trap as, say, the early religious missionaries? I don't pretend to have the answer, but sometimes I feel democracy is an evolutionary concept, a bit like growing up."

To conclude the PEI portion of their Canadian homecoming, the Earl and Countess visited the Prince Edward Battery where HRH climbed onto a large crane in order to lift cannon as symbol of the forthcoming restoration project. Later they attended a Fanningbank reception for the CPA delegates As the Royal couple departed for Montreal, I felt delighted to have had the opportunity of meeting TRH, and of hearing The Countess several times repeat how she hopes to return and see other parts of Canada.

Monday, July 17th brought a full day of activities for the Wessexes in Montreal: the Earl presented Gold Awards at a Reception for recipients of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Young Canadians Challenge held at The Queen Elizabeth Hotel. Lunchtime found the Royals aboard Shipshaw where they attended a fund-raising lunch for the Award's Charter for Business. And evening brought yet another event to support the Charter, a Dinner at the Headquarters of Power Corporation, controlled by the Desmarais family.

The final day of the Earl and Countess' Canadian sojourn involved two provinces. The morning found them at another Gold Standard ceremony for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. This event took place at Pier 21 in Halifax after the Wessexes had been received by the Lieutenant Governor. Her Honour subsequently hosted a Luncheon at Government House in support of the Business Charter. By evening the Royals had flown into St John's, where the tour's final Gold ceremony took place at Pius X Church. It was followed by a BBQ at Gonzaga High School, where TRH mingled with the young participants in the Challenge. By the time of their midnight flight to London, both Edward and Sophie must have reflected on the whirlwind nature of the latter part of their homecoming ­ and of the great welcome and positive media "spin" which greeted them everywhere they went

[pennstateuniversitypress]

Q&A with John Bidwell

The author of The Declaration in Script and Print discusses Independence Day, the Declaration of Independence as an iconic document, and more.

Why do we celebrate independence on July 4th even though Congress voted for independence on July 2nd?

The date we have chosen for Independence Day depends on a document. By all rights we should be celebrating the day when the United States became an independent nation—July 2, 1776—when the Continental Congress adopted Richard Henry Lee’s resolution “that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.” John Adams predicted that July 2nd would be the national anniversary, a day marked with parades, bonfires, bell ringing, gun salutes, and “illuminations” of houses with candles in the windows. Adams was wrong, however, because he did not foresee the emotional impact of the official announcement, a broadside printed two days later with the title In Congress, July 4, 1776. A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress Assembled. The date in the title is one reason why July 4th prevailed over July 2nd. But above all Americans cherished the text, an eloquent expression of fundamental rights based on principles of liberty, justice, and equality. Historians have traced its origins, its changing reputation, and its influence at home and abroad. I too have noted how it has been variously interpreted, but mainly I wish to show how it has been visualized, how it appeared in engravings, lithographs, and letterpress broadsides during the nineteenth century. I identify about two hundred prints and broadsides in The Declaration in Script and Print, expensive engravings suitable for framing as well as cheap stereotype keepsakes aimed at the bottom of the market. Starting with an innovative advertising campaign in 1816, I describe the merchandising tactics of artists, printers, and publishers who played on a surge of patriotic sentiment to promote their wares. In the same spirit, Penn State University Press has selected July 4th to be the release date for my book.

What was it that made the manuscript Declaration more inspiring to Americans than the printed version issued on July 4th?

Some delegates were not able to vote for independence on July 4th. A week later they received the necessary authorization, which made it possible for everyone to sign a manuscript version of the Declaration, “fairly engrossed on parchment.” They signed it on August 2, 1776, and reaffirmed the unity of the United States by changing the title to: “In Congress, July 4, 1776. The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America.” The text is more or less the same as the broadside edition, but written out by hand it seems more tangible, personal, and distinctive. Beneath it are fifty-six autographs of Founding Fathers, each an act of patriotism representing courage, conviction, and a shared commitment to a righteous cause. Awestruck Americans could pick out the names of Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, and other heroes of the Revolution. While giving the first edition its due, they have looked at the August 2nd manuscript as a more meaningful and evocative expression of their history and ideals. Printmakers catered to public demand by publishing reproductions of the manuscript although often only the signatures were reproduced in facsimile. Some believed that the manuscript had been signed on July 4th, wishful thinking all the better to convey the drama of the moment.

How and when did the Declaration become an iconic document?

In 1816 the Philadelphia newspaper publisher John Binns issued subscription proposals for an engraving of the Declaration. He was the first to tell Americans about the iconic value of that document, for which he designed a pictorial scheme that would define a new genre of patriotic prints—the signatures in facsimile, the text adorned with portraits, allegorical vignettes, and a massive cordon of state seals. Other printmakers adapted his designs, some imitated them in pirated editions, and two opportunists reprinted the original edition on the occasion of the Centennial. While Binns’s print was in press, an itinerant writing master, Benjamin Owen Tyler, produced a calligraphic version with the signatures in facsimile but without illustrations. That too inspired a series of imitations and adaptations. Binns accused Tyler of plagiarizing his prospectus, and Tyler fought back by impugning his opponent’s patriotism in a newspaper war that publicized both of these trend-setting prints. More than seventy per cent of the Declaration prints and broadsides published during the nineteenth century were derived in whole or part, directly or indirectly, from these archetypal images.

Why would Americans prefer facsimiles of the Declaration to the original manuscript?

Perhaps it wasn’t so much a matter of preference as practicality. Americans have been able to view the original in Washington where it has been displayed at various times in the Patent Office, the State Department, the Library of Congress, and the National Archives. Huge crowds came to see it in Independence Hall during the Centennial. Many were disappointed to discover that it was in poor condition, the text illegible in places and the signatures almost entirely effaced. Printmakers helped to popularize the Declaration, but their invasive replicating techniques are partly to blame for ruining it. Secretary of State John Quincy Adams realized that the manuscript was in danger and commissioned a scrupulously accurate reproduction of the text and signatures, printed in a limited edition dated “July 4th. 1823.” Adams and his successors strictly controlled the distribution of the official facsimile until the end of the century. Meanwhile the condition of the manuscript went from bad to worse. In 1894 complaints about its continuing deterioration prompted government officials to take it down and lock it in a safe, where they kept it out of sight for thirty years. During that time the State Department facsimile was the only option for those who wanted to visualize the founding document. To this day we rely on it to show what the manuscript must have looked like when it was signed by the Founding Fathers: that is what we see in souvenirs, textbook illustrations, and the New York Times every year on July 4th, an iconic image of an essential text.

The Declaration in Script and Print: A Visual History of America’s Founding Document is now available from Penn State University Press. Learn more and order the book here: https://www.psupress.org/books/titles/978-0-271-09730-5.html. Take 30% off with discount code NR24.

[styleofdiamandis]

PHOTOSHOOT: INSTYLE MAGAZINE

Back in 2010, Marina graced the pages of InStyle Magazine. The editorial, which showcased some of the best Fall/Winter 2010 collections, was lensed by Christophe Rihet.

Styling by Amanda Bellan and Frankie Read, hair by Paul Percival, makeup by Cassie Jones and nails by Julie Luong.

We're starting off strong with Marina dressed in a Dior chunky ivory wool knit cardigan with baby-blue silk ribbons and white fur trimming (£1,650.00) which she teamed up with Dolce & Gabbana burgundy velvet wrap bustier dress with draping and jewel brooches (£1,300.00).

Her jewelry here includes a Topshop metal chain necklace with a Pebble London 22ct gold, blue aventurine and silk necklace (£240.00 - similar pictured).

On her hands, she wore a Dorothy Perkins black leather ring (£12,50) and a Sarah Ho London 18ct gold, quartz and tsavorite ring (£2,150.00).

Look n. 2 displays Marina wearing her favorite designer, Vivienne Westwood! She chose one of the final numbers from the Gold Label's F/W10 runway - a lilac silk taffeta dress with exploding black organza skirt.

As in accessories, she wore two studded leather cuffs by Felder Felder (£200.00 each), a feather and 18ct gold headdress by English jewellers Wright & Teague...

...which she then swapped for a Sonia Rykiel beige ostrich feather pom-pom headband (£350.00).

One element I've noticed about this shoot: there's just never enough when it comes to jewelry! Layering chunky necklaces is such an early 2010s thing and this shoot definitely showed how to do it back then.

Marina combined a Djurdja Watson black jet necklace with Swarovski crystals (£476.00) with a Topshop metal multi-strand watch necklace in silver (£50.00)

M further accessorized her look with a Chanel metal open-work, enamel, resin and gripoix cuff (£1,724.00)...

...and Pebble London mother-of-pearl oval bezel ring (£165.00 - similar pictured) and gold-plated & pink aventurine ring (£145.00).

The HOT Steampunk-inspired metallic gold and black patent leather sandals (£635.00) are signed by Rupert Sanderson.

For the third look of this editorial, the singer wore a white tulle dress with fraying and ruffles from Chanel's collection, which was inspired by Winter wonderland.

Marina's jewelry here included a Tom Binns Design Punk Chic metal necklace (£895.00), a Djurdja Watson gold-plated silver and brass necklace with Swarovski crystals (£389.00), and a Hoss Intropia silk and crystal cuff (£79.50).

Next, she accentuated the waist of her dress by rocking a Hollywood Trading Company studded black leather belt (£205.00).

The look was completed with these black eel skin peep-toe platform pumps (£585.00) from Rupert Sanderson.

Here, Marina wore the Lolita bodysuit (£439.00) from Bebaroque's "Matador" collection with embroidery inspired by Spanish traditional matador costumes and historical embroidery.

She layered a L'Agence cotton skirt (£170.00) with a Topshop tulle and diamanté maxi skirt (£70.00).

Her jewelry starts off with this beautiful Chanel Pre-Fall 2010 "Paris-Shanghai" collection gold metal, enamel and silk tassel necklace (£2,285.00).

She also wore Tom Binns Design crystal earrings (£120.00), the Felder Felder studded leather cuffs (£200.00 each), Pebble London gold-plated, onyx and coral ring (£165.00) and Sarah Ho London 18ct white-gold, topaz and diamond ring (£4,760.00).

Lastly, her black leather biker boots (£160.00) are Hudson London.

For the penultimate look, Marina sports this intricate folded black lambskin leather sleeveless coat (£2,795.00) by John Rocha!

Last but definitely not least, Marina poses in this Emilio Pucci Fall/Winter 2010 mustard-yellow ostrich feather jacket (£4,865.00), which I promise, would go missing if it was near me.

[hphmmatthewluther]

Threads Of Silver - Chapter 1: The Dream

Here we go!! This is the first chapter of my Founders’ Era story, with this one featuring a brief appearance from @nikyiscreepy​ ‘s Persephone Palerosine and a mention of @the-al-chemist​ ‘s Artemis Hexley! Taglist of people who might be interested (pls let me know if you want to be added or removed!): @camillejeaneshphm​ @endlessly-cursed​ @gaygryffindorgal​ @that-scouse-wizard​

Almost a millennium before Matthew Luther would shatter curses and do battle with those who unleashed them, the very notion of “Hogwarts” existed merely in the mind of one woman: Rowena Ravenclaw. On the same night she has a fateful dream, informing her of where this school should be built, her newest apprentice, a peasant boy by the name of Lachlann Doherty (though people call him Lam) arrives. Taking this to be a sign, she begins to teach Lam in the ways of both magic, and of power, for the ones she will need to achieve her dreams are currently rivals. Set out with a nigh-impossible task, will the two prevail? Or will they be lost to the pages of history?

 Chapter 1: The Dream

 “Hey, Matt!” Mayson Kowalski exclaimed, smiling. “How’re you today?”

Matthew Luther turned around to look down at his younger cousin. Behind him, Matthew could see Mayson’s fellow Slytherins heading to their next class, and a girl with light brown hair was waiting for him, tapping her foot.

“Mayson.” Matt said, clicking his tongue. “You need some of my notes again?”

The younger cousin’s cheeks went pink. “I…uh…” He stammered, before quickly regaining his composure. “Can’t I just say hi to my favourite cousin?” he asked innocently.

 Matt chuckled. They’d fallen into a pattern of Mayson asking him for the notes he’d taken the year before; Mayson claimed he found them far more useful than his own notes. “Favourite cousin? I’m gonna tell Artemis you said that.”

Mayson’s eyes widened. “Aw, c’mon, man…I’m getting help with my broom-riding from her, ya can't…”

Matt raised his hands to reassure him “Don’t worry, I’m only fooling. Keep your trousers on.” “Pants, you mean.” Mayson said, smiling. As much as he was happy to be at Hogwarts, sometimes he missed New York, where as far as he was concerned, people spoke normally.

 “Agree to disagree.” Matt said, pushing the hair out of his face, “so, what do you need?”

“We got an assignment from Binns.” Mayson explained, pulling a piece of parchment out of his pocket. “We gotta “Give an account of the end of the Mage Wars and how this led to the founding of Hogwarts.” It’s…there’s so much that happened, so many names to remember, I-”

Matthew nodded, remembering how it had been for him and his classmates to learn it all. “Well, if you want my advice, it’s not me who’s the resident history expert. There’s someone a little closer to home you can ask…”

 At that point, the brown-haired girl yelled out for Mayson, and Matt noticed her socks, which had cat faces, were starting to hiss.

“Coming, Persephone!” Mayson yelled back. “We’ll talk later. Thanks Matt!” he said quickly before running off. Matt smiled and waved, before walking to the Great Hall, hoping to find who he was looking for there. When he did, he couldn’t stop the blush that appeared on his face.

 ***

“What?!” Mayson exclaimed later that night in the Slytherin Common Room, with most of the rest of Slytherin up in their dorm rooms. “You’re the “resident history expert”?!”

Merula Snyde huffed, placing down a large collection of notebooks and parchments . “Is that what you called me, Luther? Really, you’re too kind…”

Matthew was sitting there too, having snuck in earlier. Mayson didn’t miss the way they’d looked at each other as he’d come into the room. “Well, you do have the highest score in the class, Merula.”

 “Because I find the subject interesting.” Merula shrugged, which Mayson translated as “I’m the only one who can stay awake listening to Binns ramble.” Which, to be fair, was an impressive feat. “Right,” she continued, “get your notebook out. We’ve got a lot to cover.”

Mayson looked up at her, a little confused. “I…I thought I was just gonna take the notes?”

Merula scoffed at the suggestion. “Nonsense. I’m not just going to let you copy my notes, you’ve got to have the full understanding. This is our history, y’know. Literally.”

Mayson raised an eyebrow. “Whaddya mean, “literally”?”

 Matthew leaned forward. “Some of our direct relatives are involved here. My great great times…a whole load, grandparents.” he explained, pointing to himself, “and hers too. Plus a great aunt for good measure.”

Merula nodded. “See? And he only knows all of that because I explained it to him so brilliantly.”

Mayson shrugged. “...It’s either this or meticulously copy the notes, I suppose…alright. Let’s do this. We…don’t have to do it all tonight, do we?”

Matthew shook his head. “Nah, we’ll space it out. Your assignment is submitted in chunks anyway, so this’ll help.”

 “Right!” Merula exclaimed. “If you’re both ready, I’m going to start…now…let’s see…Ah ha. Perfect. We’ll start with The Dream.”

 ***

 “Rowena Ravenclaw discovered the location where Hogwarts would be built in a dream, in which she was led to the position near the lake and forest by a warty hog. She considered the dream to be a gift from the forces of magic themselves. I however find it much more likely that she had a bad curry before going to bed, as that’s how I normally get weird dreams like this one.” - Mayson Kowalski’s History of Magic Report

 The night was darker back then. Not just because of the fewer lights, after all that normally allowed the stars and the moon to shine bright across the land. But when it was cloudy too, and storming and raining, it was well and truly dark, with any lightning only serving to punctuate the pitch black fields of the Highlands. It was not known as Scotland back then, after all. That was all yet to come. This, and the lands down South, were formed of kingdoms which either made peace, traded, or battled in skirmishes, magical or non-magical. The sorcerers of this time were known, and revelled in their importance to the lords and kings of the land, but were just as bitter rivals as the people they assisted. Not since Merlin had a witch, wizard or otherwise tried to reach out to form bonds as opposed to fighting and warring. Not until now.

 The rain slashed at the windows of Ravenclaw Tower, sliding down to the wooden windowsill and dripping off onto grass and mud several feet below. Inside, the various magical ornaments and parchments rattled every so often when a particularly loud burst of thunder rang out, albeit muffled by the great stone bricks that made up the structure. The Tower’s only occupants could be found at the very top of the tower, past floors upon floors of, at this point, relatively new tomes and books on spellcraft. One of the two rocked with the wind and rain outside. The other was calm, serene, unmoving in her sleep, her raven-black hair the only thing that moved, as a slight wind brushed past. This was Rowena Ravenclaw, greatest witch in the Highlands, who had only remembered that she needed to sleep about ten minutes ago. The lying completely still was an attempt to compensate for that. It wasn’t working. Sure, she was tired, she had stayed up all night reading, after all, but she didn’t feel sleepy. At least, not until a bolt of lightning sailed past outside, striking a hill. She winced, and suddenly felt herself falling deeper into sleep. If she had opened her eyes, the lightning would have illuminated a young man leaping back from the lightning. A young man walking towards her tower.

 For Rowena, there were no sounds of rain and thunder. Instead, she was standing outside on a partly cloudy day. She gazed around, trying to get her bearings, when she heard a strange grunting sound from nearby. She turned and was surprised to find a large pig sniffing the grass in front of her. There were splotches on it that seemed to look like runes, which was where Rowena’s attention should have been, but her eyes were fixated on its face. It was the ugliest pig she’d ever seen, with so many warts she was surprised it could see. She thought it was somewhat adorable just how ugly it was, and when she smiled at it, it squealed with delight and started to trot forwards. Curious by nature, she started to walk behind it, taking in what was around her. She could see water flowing, and a dense forest full of life. But then the pig stopped, and she gasped.

 They had come to a hilltop overlooking a large lake. The forest was still visible, and it was clear this was where the water was flowing from. It was beautiful, it was full of space, it hadn’t been touched…

“It’s perfect.” Rowena said, the wheels beginning to turn in her brain. “What is this place?”

The pig looked up at her, but instead of oinking, the noise that came out of its mouth was more akin to a knocking at the door. There was another flash of lightning, and Rowena was forced awake, the knocking sound continuing. Someone was at the door. Rolling her eyes, and briefly checking on the other person in the tower, she began the long walk down the steps, her wand illuminating the floors of her tower. The knocking continued, pounding like the thunder that came in between, until she finally got to the wooden door and pulled it open.

 Before her, in the cascading rain, stood a young boy in a black hood. She could see his dark hair that matched the colour of his cloak, and green eyes that reflected off of the light of her wand. He blinked several times, wiping the water from his face.

“Lady Ravenclaw?” he asked over the sound of the ensuing storm. “You…asked me to come here?”

She looked down at him for a few moments, confused, before recognition filled her eyes. Ah yes. The trip to Ireland. “Of course I did. It’s…Doherty, isn’t it?”

The boy (young man? Rowena hadn’t asked his precise age) nodded. “That’s right, Lachlan Doherty…though people call me “Lam”.”

Lightning illuminated both of them. “Well, you’d better come inside, here…” Rowena gestured inside the tower, and Lachlann nodded, walking through, very obviously happy to be out of the rain. Rowena closed the door behind him, sighing for a second. “...Well, welcome to Ravenclaw Tower. I made a bed up for you…I say made, conjured, more accurately.” She turned to him, but he was transfixed by everything around him. The ornaments, the cauldrons, the shelves stacked with books, he spun on the spot trying to keep up with it all.

 “...This is your first time in a Mage’s Tower?” Rowena asked, lighting some of the candles hanging on the walls, “Wasn’t there one nearby in your village?”

Lachlann took his hood off, revealing his short black hair, and shook his head. “There was one, a while ago, but it’s in ruins now. Something must have attacked it., at least that’s what people said.”

Rowena nodded. “Being a sorcerer’s a dangerous thing. When a mage dies, their tower dies with them…I suppose that ought to be your first lesson.”

Rowena sat down at a table,clearing some of the papers and books and inviting Lachlann to do the same. She looked over at him. While travelling in Ireland looking for a certain type of plant, she came across a village after what had seemed like hours. She had seen the ruins of the tower, but had guessed that another one would have been nearby. Another one should have been nearby. What had happened to it?

 “Things are alright back at the village, yes?” Rowena asked, Lachlan jumping slightly. “Settled down a little now?”

The young boy nodded, the sound of his cloak dripping onto the floor being absorbed by the storm outside, “More or less, but they all got excited again when I told them I was leaving. Wanted to have a whole celebration and everything…”

As Lachlann explained his journey, Rowena tried her best to keep her attention on him, but it was late, and she had a lot on her mind. That dream, for one thing, but the memory of her time in Lachlann’s village was coming back to her too. She had been there to examine the connections to the Fae present on the neighbouring island. Her attention had been caught by smoke and screaming coming from the village. She had immediately raced down there. She knew a dragon attack when she heard one. 

 And yet, when Rowena had got there, the all-too-common sounds of burning and roaring had quietened. After a moment of searching, she had found it: a young Welsh Green, on the cusp of adulthood. She wondered if it had mistakenly flown across the sea here. But the dragon did not notice her. It had its eyes on a young peasant boy a few feet away, holding a farm implement of some kind. Any other serf would have been burnt to a crisp, but this dragon was up on its hind legs, smoke still billowing from its mouth, transfixed on the top part of the rake. It was only when she stepped closer that she saw why: it was glowing faintly, as if on fire, but it did not burn. The peasant boy looked just as surprised as the dragon. Rowena, however, knew exactly what it had meant. This was what she had been looking for.

 As the minutes passed, and Lachlann dried out, the rain quietened down. Now the only sound that could be heard was the howling winds outside. Rowena brought her hands together. “Now, regarding your employment as my apprentice. That is why you’re here, yes?” When Lachlann nodded, she continued, “Good. Now, I shall teach you the ways of magic, give you food and shelter, as well as a small amount of pay, and in exchange you’ll help me with regards to my many errands as a Freelance Witch.”

Lachlann’s ears perked up. “Freelance?” he asked, a little confused.

Rowena simply sighed. “Indeed. There remain very few freelance magic-users left in these Isles, with most promising their services to a king or lord. But while power and the wealth that comes with it are…tempting, I choose to remain independent on principle. Magic is not to be wielded by some chief in a battle.” she seemed to be on the verge of a rant, but stifled it. “...hm. I suppose that’s your second lesson.”

 Just then, a sound rang out through the tower, overpowering the winds outside. Rowena looked at Lachlann, who looked like he was wondering if his ears were deceiving him. “Here comes your next lesson.” Rowena sighed. “Follow me.” Up the stairs they went, the sound growing louder as they did. She looked back at Lachlann, who thankfully seemed more curious than anything else. She pointed out his bedroom to him as they scaled the tower, until finally coming to the very top floor, both having to duck a little under the roof of the structure which made up the ceiling. By the window was Rowena’s bed, a mess after she’d scrambled out of it earlier, as well as a wooden cot. Lachlann stepped forward and seemingly confirmed his decisions, as his eyes fell upon the source of the noise.

 “Oh, Helena…” Rowena crooned, walking forward and picking a crying baby up out of the cot, holding her close. “Did we make too much noise? This is Lachlann, he’s going to be staying here for a while - oh, it’s alright, I’m here-”

Lachlann blinked a few times as Rowena rubbed Helena’s back. “Lachlann, this is…the other part of my job. And yours too. I probably should have mentioned this a little earlier.”

 ***

The quasi-lecture Merula had been giving had lasted around half an hour at this point, and while Mayson had chuckled at a few parts (specifically the pig) he had burst out laughing here.

“She didn’t tell him he’d be babysitting?!” he exclaimed, cackling and kicking his legs.

“Shut up!” Merula hissed. “You’ll wake someone up!”

Matthew was trying to stifle a laugh of his own. “Yeah, as much of a genius Rowena was, she did sometimes forget to mention…y'know…important details.”

“Mm, sounds like someone else I know.” Merula replied, winking at him before turning to Mayson. “Right, are you done yet? We’ve haven’t even got through one full day of Lachlann’s apprenticeship!”

 Mayson’s laughter started to die down at this point, and he wiped the tears from his eyes. “Sorry, sorry…it just goes to show how good you are at this stuff.”

“Oh…thank you.” she said, surprised at the compliment. “Now, where was I…ah yes, the day after…that was when…ah. A reminder that Luther’s family has had rotten luck since day one…”