#ginny does that writing thing

[drjackabbots]

🫦 PLEASE!!

ROBBY/ABBOT HICKEY FIC LMAO basically abbot went to work with uhhhh something he couldn't hide and robby may have been the culprit. :'D

They both watch him go with deep suspicion in their eyes, clearly noting the way he dodges around the conversation, but Robby manages to flee before they can ask him any more questions. He all but scurries over to the nurse’s station, looking around like he might be under fire. “Dana, you look positively angelic today,” he says with faux cheer, and she glances up at him over the top of her glasses. “He’s in North 6,” she says pointedly before going back to her charting. “And you’re in deep shit, buddy.”

send me an emoji and i'll write three sentences of one of my WIPs and post them!

[carewyncromwell]

"Don't talk 'bout me

Like how you might know how I feel --

Top of the world, but your world isn't real...

Your world's an ideal...

So go have fun -- I really couldn't care less."

~"Therefore I Am" by Billie Eilish

x~x~x~x

When Carewyn Cromwell first joined the Department of Magical Law Enforcement as an up-and-coming lawyer in the spring of 1991, Cornelius Fudge -- the Minister for Magic -- was very eager to welcome her and show support for her budding career. It didn't take long for Carewyn to figure out that Fudge had heard all about her and her brother Jacob's exploits dealing with the Cursed Vaults and apprehending R -- not just from Dumbledore, but from OWL examiner Professor Tofty and infamous Auror Mad-Eye Moody -- and although Carewyn had had plenty of people side-eye her for her dealing with the Vaults at school, it seemed Fudge held no such disapproval. On the contrary, he seemed very keen on interacting with Carewyn, especially around his support staff and the rest of the Wizengamot. And it wasn't until Carewyn finally met him (as well as his Senior Undersecretary, Dolores Umbridge) that she figured out why.

Carewyn had known she wouldn't be the first Cromwell that sought a career in Magical Law. Her Head of House, Severus Snape, purposefully brought it up to her in their Career Advice session, to make sure she was aware that -- at the time of her interest -- Carewyn's ruthless grandfather, Charles Cromwell, was an influential member of the Wizengamot. After Charles's arrest and lifetime imprisonment, the Cromwell Clan's reputation had understandably been tarnished. Carewyn and Jacob's reputations, however, were shining and pristine, because they were the Cromwells who had actually defeated Charles and the rest of R and in the process saved Hogwarts from the danger of the Cursed Vaults. And considering that Fudge was related to the Cromwell Clan through marriage (a fact that still left Carewyn reeling) and had apparently done his fair share of socializing with Charles Cromwell while unaware of his crimes, it was very clear that Fudge wanted to distance himself from that old association, preferably by being on good terms with the people who'd brought Charles to justice. And since Carewyn was now pursuing a promising new career at the Ministry, Fudge had clearly deemed it in his best interest to throw his support behind Carewyn, so as to have her esteem and reputation likewise reflect nicely on him.

So Fudge only has interest in being around people who make him look good, rather than anyone with actual integrity, Carewyn thought cynically. Guess I shouldn't be surprised that the chief politician around here acts like it.

Despite herself, though, Carewyn was disappointed. All the more so when she learned in the spring of 1993 just how self-absorbed the man was, despite being given charge of the entire British Wizarding World.

It all started when -- in the midst of a busy night shift -- Carewyn's meeting with fellow lawyer Chester Davies was interrupted by her old school friend Ben Copper bursting into her office.

"Carewyn," he said urgently, "Hagrid's been arrested."

Both Carewyn and Chester whirled around.

"What!?" they cried in unison.

"How can that be?" Chester immediately followed up, sounding confused. "I didn't even know Hagrid was under investigation -- let alone charged with anything..."

He looked to Carewyn as if to ask if she had, but Carewyn wasn't paying attention. She got up from her chair and strolled around her desk over to Ben, taking hold of his shoulder and steering him into the office so she could close the door.

"Tell me everything," she said seriously.

Ben rested his forehead on his clenched fist as he propped his elbow against the wall of Carewyn's office.

"I was just finishing up my work for the day, when I saw Hagrid by the Floo grates with two Hitwizards, talking to Cornelius Fudge," he explained. "Fudge was apologizing, saying something about 'it just being a precaution' and that he was sure once things at Hogwarts settled down, he'd be able to go about his business as usual. Fudge even tried to tell Hagrid that Azkaban shouldn't really be that bad for him -- "

Ben looked absolutely disgusted repeating back such a blatant lie. Carewyn was just as furious herself.

"'Shouldn't be that bad?'" she repeated, her soft voice nonetheless dripping with horror and umbrage. "What, does he think only violent criminals are affected by dementors?"

"Likely!" Ben spat, his brown eyes flashing with righteous anger. "I went over and asked what was going on, and Hagrid explained that it was because of the whole 'Chamber of Secrets' mess. Fudge didn't seem to want to talk about it and kind of just blustered the same rubbish he'd said to Hagrid -- claimed the Hogwarts school governors had been concerned and he'd thought he should take measures to 'reassure' them and the public -- "

"Reassure them?" said Chester, his mouth falling open in disbelief. "But -- you can't mean -- the Minister can't really think that Hagrid opened the Chamber of Secrets?"

"No -- but apparently because Hagrid was expelled right after the Chamber of Secrets opened the first time, Fudge is perfectly willing to throw him under the bus anyway, just to make it look like he's doing something," Ben said vindictively. "Apparently he's letting the exact same thing happen to Dumbledore too."

"What do you mean?" said Carewyn, her eyebrows furrowing.

Ben leaned his back up against the wall, crossing his arms.

"Hagrid said that Dumbledore and Fudge had come to see him at his hut about an hour ago, when Lucius Malfoy crashed the meeting out of nowhere, just to round Dumbledore up and expel him from the grounds. Apparently that snake Malfoy somehow got all of the other school governors to sign off on the proposal."

The mention of Lucius Malfoy made Carewyn's eyes flare with resentment. Of course Malfoy would be the sort to take advantage of a bad situation to try to oust his old master You-Know-Who's greatest enemy.

"But -- but taking Dumbledore away could only make things worse," said Chester. He clearly had a hard time making sense of all this. "Surely the Minister wouldn't agree to that? He's gone to Dumbledore for advice for years..."

"But how could Fudge have arrested Hagrid in the first place?" Carewyn rerouted the conversation sharply. "The Hitwizards can't arrest anyone without the charges first going through the Department of Magical Law Enforcement...how fast must the charges have gone through, for Chester and me not to have heard anything about them?"

"That's because Fudge didn't involve the Hitwizards or the Wizengamot at first," Ben said coldly. "The Hitwizards I saw looked just as surprised by what they were hearing as I was...even if they did end up going lockstep with Fudge and took Hagrid away through the grate anyway. I reckon Fudge just asked Hagrid to come with him quietly, so he wouldn't have to get the Hitwizards involved..."

"Or have his activities draw too much attention," Carewyn finished.

Her low voice evoked the rumbles of an earthquake as she swept to the door. Opening it, she glanced over her shoulder at Chester, her blue eyes blazing with righteous fire despite the stoicism of her face.

"Chester...I'm afraid I'll have to leave you to finish editing the case file," she said curtly.

"What are you planning to do?" asked Chester.

"Speak to Madam Bones. Hagrid needs a lawyer, and I intend to be it."

x~x~x~x

It only took a half-hour for Carewyn to blaze through all the paperwork needed to become Hagrid's official legal counsel. Unfortunately Azkaban's visiting hours were only from sun-up to sun-down, with each visitor only being allowed an hour each day with a Patronus escort either provided by the warden or conjured by the visitor themselves. The conditions were very familiar to Carewyn -- she'd been reminded them every time she chose to visit Patricia Rakepick in her lonely cell block.

When Carewyn finally made it to Azkaban first thing the next morning and was led to the cell Hagrid had been squeezed into, she found the poor gamekeeper crumpled up in a huge ball, sobbing like a child.

"Dad -- 'm sorry, Dad -- "

Even with her Abraxan Winged Horse Patronus protecting her from the dementors' influence, Carewyn could feel a cold, ocean-like wave of despair crash over her, just looking at Hagrid. Her almond-shaped blue eyes welled up with empathetic pain.

"...Oh, Hagrid..."

She clutched the bars of his cell with her free hand as her Patronus swept through the bars, lightly brushing its nose along Hagrid's arm. Hagrid choked, blinking up through his tears as he shakily raised his head.

"...W...wha'...?"

The grief and paleness of Hagrid's usually rosy, happy face broke Carewyn's heart. She could feel her own eyes welling up with traces of tears as she tried to smile at him.

"It's me, Hagrid," Carewyn said gently. "It's Carewyn."

Hagrid's beetle-black eyes widened. Then, just as abruptly, they flooded with even more tears, which streamed down his face like pouring rain might streak down a windowpane.

"...Carewyn..."

He couldn't keep himself from breaking down into full sobs as he crawled over and slapped his oversized hands up against the bars -- they were too small for him to grab them the way Carewyn had. Even so, Carewyn tried to take his hand as best she could, even if it only resulted in her holding his pinky and ring finger.

"It's okay, Hagrid," Carewyn whispered as soothingly as she could. Her Abraxan Patronus gently rested its transparent wing over Hagrid's shoulder and rested its head beside his arm. "It's going to be okay..."

x~x~x~x

It took sitting with Carewyn and her Patronus for a couple of minutes before Hagrid was able to speak coherently. He told Carewyn everything that had happened, including the reason Fudge had thought he could be behind the attacks in the first place.

"...Th' whole lot thought that he'd been what hurt poor Myrtle Warren, bu' -- bu' I'm tellin' you, Aragog wouldn't-a done it!" said Hagrid. "I tol' 'em that at th' time too...bu' only Professor Dumbledore believed me..."

Carewyn nodded. That sounded about right -- for as much as she resented Dumbledore, the Headmaster had always supported Hagrid. And given the Headmaster's own talent for Legilimency, Carewyn suspected Dumbledore knew full-well Hagrid was telling the truth, just as much as she herself was certain of it. But she also knew that her intuitions based on her Legilimency couldn't be used as evidence of either guilt or innocence...and even if Hagrid didn't believe Aragog was the beast from the Chamber of Secrets and Carewyn doubted it as well, plenty of people could see the circumstances as pretty damning, on their own.

"And because no one else believed you, Headmaster Dippet expelled you with the thought that it would make the attacks stop," surmised Carewyn.

Hagrid hung his head. "...Yeah. An' well...th' attacks did stop, after tha'. Dunno why, aside from th' person maybe decidin' t' cut 'is losses..."

Carewyn's lips came together grimly as she looked at the floor. The gamekeeper's face went that little bit paler as his eyes flooded with fresh tears.

"Yeh -- yeh don't think I did it, d'yeh?" he said desperately. "I-I would never! I woulda never hurt 'em -- Nick an' Mrs. Norris, an' -- an' poor Hermione -- oh, Carewyn, I never woulda -- !"

Carewyn gave Hagrid's pinky a reassuring squeeze.

"I know, Hagrid," she said firmly. "I know you didn't do it. All of those Pureblood wizarding families that claimed to be related to Salazar Slytherin have died out -- and trust me, 'Hagrid' was not one of them. And the beast inside the Chamber of Secrets was supposedly put there by Salazar Slytherin around the time he and the other four Founders made the Cursed Vaults, back in the 9th century. Acromantula weren't bred until the 18th century. Aragog couldn't be Slytherin's monster."

Her eyes softened.

"...And I know you, Hagrid. You love everyone at Hogwarts, even the brattiest students. I know you would never do anything to hurt them."

Hagrid's teary eyes crinkled up to make room for a very weak, watery smile.

"...Thank you, Carewyn," he gave a loud sniff. "It...it means a lot...knowin' yeh believe in me..."

Carewyn gave a gentle pat to his hand through the bars. Hagrid gave another loud sniff.

"...D'yeh...d'yeh know if the Wizengamot'll be able t' stop Malfoy? Get 'em t' bring Dumbledore back?"

Carewyn pursed her lips grimly. "There's nothing for them to stop, at present. The school governors' job is to oversee the school and its Headmaster -- them asking Dumbledore to resign is a completely legal action for them to take."

Hagrid looked distressed. "Bu' -- bu' withou' Dumbledore there, everyone'll be in more danger than ever! Professor Dumbledore was likely the only thing that kept th' Heir o' Slytherin from goin' all out -- "

"That doesn't mean the Wizengamot can overrule the governors' decision," Carewyn said sternly. She then said a bit more gently, "...I know how much you respect Dumbledore -- and you're right, Dumbledore has warded Dark wizards away from the school before..."

Not that he was able to prevent R from sending Jacob and me threats, but they still didn't feel bold enough to show up in full-force until Dumbledore was away...

"...But however foolish their decision might be, it doesn't break any laws. And law enforcement is meant for that purpose -- enforcing laws that have been broken."

Hagrid looked incredibly disheartened.

"They're gonna regret it later," he muttered miserably. "Yeh jus' wait an' see..."

Carewyn gave Hagrid's pinky another light squeeze, exhaling quietly through her nose.

She thought so too -- but she was so unhappy just contemplating the consequences that she didn't have to heart to say so.

x~x~x~x

The consequences, as it turned out, were even worse than Carewyn could've envisioned.

After going out for an afternoon coffee break with Talbott one May day, Carewyn found the Ministry Atrium in disarray, with multiple owls flying in and out of the offices of the Minister of Magic and his support staff and nosy reporters crowding around in an attempt to figure out what was going on.

Tonks emerged from the crowd and filled them in -- apparently the reporters had heard rumors that there'd been another attack at Hogwarts by the Heir of Slytherin, this time with a student actually being taken into the Chamber itself. It was only once Talbott convinced Tonks to change herself temporarily into one of Dolores Umbridge's staffers so she could force her way through the reporters and get more information from the support staff herself that she found out who it was -- and when the pink-haired Auror caught up with Talbott and Carewyn in the Atrium, her heart-shaped face was as white as a sheet.

"Weasley," Tonks whispered shakily. "Fudge said the girl's name was Weasley..."

Talbott's shoulders stiffened as Carewyn's hands flew to her mouth in horror.

"Ginny," she gasped.

x~x~x~x

Talbott, Tonks, and Carewyn all bolted to the lift, taking it up to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement where they could use the Auror Department's Floo Network grate specifically meant for communication. Upon trying to contact the Burrow, however, Carewyn found the house quiet and deserted.

"Are they not there?" Tonks asked Carewyn anxiously as she took her head out of the grate. The ginger-haired lawyer shook her head.

"The school must've contacted Mr. and Mrs. Weasley as soon as it happened," Talbott said solemnly.

Carewyn nodded, her red lips knitting together tightly. "I've got to write to Bill and Charlie right away -- "

"I'll go to Hogsmeade," said Talbott at once. "There might be more information, closer to the school..."

"And I'll go back downstairs!" Tonks agreed. "Maybe I'll pick up some more intel, huddled in with all those reporters -- "

The three dispersed, with Talbott and Tonks heading back to the lift and Carewyn heading to her office. Once she'd very quickly written out a letter each for Bill and Charlie and put all of the expediting stamps on them that she possibly could, she then set about writing another more formal letter to Azkaban prison. Then she raced back to the lift, gave Bill and Charlie's letters to the two fastest owls she could find, and then headed straight for the Minister for Magic's office with the final piece of paper in her hand. The tiny ginger-haired lawyer had some trouble pushing her way through the crowd of reporters until Tonks -- disguised as one of them and therefore much taller and more muscular than usual -- managed to push everyone back enough that it gave her an opening.

When Carewyn reached the slightly open door of the Minister for Magic's office, she didn't even bother to knock the way she probably would've in any other circumstance. Quite frankly she didn't think the Minister would've heard her knock even if she tried, and if he did, he likely would've tried to ignore it, given how much owls were swooping in and out of his office and how noisy it was outside.

"Minister!" Carewyn said urgently.

Fudge looked up, incredibly startled. He'd been pacing the room, one letter in his hands and five left more open on his desk. His trademark light green bowler hat was hanging off the side of his high-backed chair, and he looked incredibly harried.

"Carewyn!" said Fudge, trying and failing to smile. "How nice it is to see you!"

Once Carewyn was in, she immediately shut the door behind her so sharply that Fudge gave a start.

"Ah -- forgive me, my dear, but...I'm afraid I'm very busy at the moment --"

"I know," said Carewyn. "Minister -- I need you to sign a release letter for Rubeus Hagrid."

Fudge was taken aback. "Hagrid? I-I don't -- "

"If the Heir of Slytherin has taken Ginny Weasley into the Chamber of Secrets, then he's still at Hogwarts," Carewyn said sharply. "Therefore Hagrid is innocent."

"Well, yes, but...that'll be dealt with, in due time," said Fudge with an attempt at a reassuring smile as he put down the letter in his hands and started to make a stack of it with the others. "I'll be sure to send along a proper letter to Azkaban, once I get these papers in order, and calm the press -- "

"You needn't send anything," Carewyn cut him off firmly. "I've already written out a formal release, and I'll be happy to deliver it myself -- you only need to sign it."

She put the letter down smack-dab in the center of his desk, right on over the stack of parchment he was organizing. Fudge, however, seemed hesitant to look at it, and instead busied himself with consulting the stack.

"Ah, well...I do appreciate your initiative, Carewyn," Fudge said in a weak attempt at indulgence, "but as I said, this...all will be dealt with, in due time. Now I'm truly sorry, but I'm afraid we'll have to speak more later -- I do have so much to do, in the light of all this -- "

"Minister!" Carewyn said, clearly upset.

" -- responding to all these letters from the governors, from Minerva McGonagall, from Arthur Weasley -- coordinating a response, for all press releases, and sending it along to the Prophet -- all before heading out to the school myself, to ascertain the gravity of the situation -- "

Carewyn could hear Fudge's rambling, but it was oddly muffled, in her own ears. Because of her Legilimency, she could sense Fudge's feelings wafting off of him just as clearly as she could hear him with her ears -- and in that moment, when she herself was so urgent, all she could feel from Fudge was the desire to run. To avoid, to push away, to ignore -- to not deal with his terrible mistake at that moment, and instead just try to make himself look as capable as he could to the public at large --

All that Carewyn could feel coming off of Fudge was cowardice.

And it was this that made Carewyn cut into his rambling with the cold sharpness of a knife.

"Minister."

Carewyn managed to catch Fudge's eye, and when he made eye contact with her, his voice immediately died in his throat. Her almond-shaped blue eyes were burning with a kind of cold disapproval the likes of which he'd never seen.

"I realize that you wish to be seen as a compassionate and attentive leader," Carewyn said very softly. "But trust that, in leaving an innocent person locked up in a prison manned by creatures that can drive people mad with their Dark aura alone -- when all you'd have to do to help him is sign your name...you currently appear as anything but."

Fudge opened his mouth, trying to stammer out a weak attempt at a stern response. "N-now, Carewyn -- I-I already told you I'd deal with -- "

But Carewyn merely picked up the release letter again and slapped it right back down on the desk in front of him.

"Minister -- you've already wrongfully sent a man to Azkaban before he'd even been formally charged with a crime," she murmured. "All while being quite certain he hadn't committed the crime in the first place, to the point that you reassured him that he'd probably be released 'once things settled down.'"

Carewyn's blue eyes narrowed.

"...Don't shame yourself further."

The Minister's face had lost quite a bit of its color as he stared at Carewyn. He rather shakily lowered himself down into his chair, regarding Carewyn with a wariness he never had before. Then, looking almost cowed, he averted his eyes, reached for the quill in the inkpot at his desk, and signed the release letter. He mutely held the letter out for Carewyn to take.

"Thank you," Carewyn said quietly.

She turned on her heel and headed for the door. When she opened it, ten owls swooped in, flocking around Fudge's desk and raining even more letters onto and around his desk.

"If I may make a suggestion, Minister," Carewyn said a bit more levelly as she left, "going to Hogwarts right now to deal with the problem would both make you look more proactive and give you some relief from all these letters."

Without waiting for Fudge's response, Carewyn left his office. Once she'd pushed her way through the crowd of reporters (even taking out her wand at one point to better coax them back), she dashed over to the closest Floo Network grate, snatching up some Powder in her free hand and chucking it down at her heeled feet as she climbed in.

"Azkaban Prison!"

And in a burst of emerald green flames, Carewyn had disappeared.

x~x~x~x

Once Hagrid had been released from his cell, Carewyn brought him with her to her mother Lane's new cottage, out in the country. The half-giant was still in pretty poor shape after his three-week-long stint in Azkaban, and since Carewyn knew he'd never fit in her tiny London flat, she figured at least Lane's new home would be a comfortable place to get Hagrid fed and healed and await further news from the Weasleys and Hogwarts.

As the night wore on, Carewyn received a few short updates from Tonks and Talbott -- Hogwarts was going to be closed; the girl's parents were at the school; the school governors were convening for a secret closed-door meeting. It wasn't until very early the following morning that Carewyn, Hagrid, and Lane received the news they'd all been hoping for, in the form of a long letter from Mrs. Weasley.

Carewyn dear, Bill wrote to Arthur and me telling me of your letter to him, so after following up with him and Charlie via Floo, I thought it best to write to you straightaway. Ginny is all right. My son Ron, his friend Harry, and their Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, were able to locate the Chamber of Secrets, and Harry, bless him, was able to both kill Slytherin's monster (a basilisk! Merlin's beard, I was terrified, thinking of that poor boy facing off against that thing!) and rescue Ginny. Arthur and I are so grateful, even now I still can't stop crying. We're so relieved to know Ginny's safe, and that Ron and Harry are both safe as well. Unfortunately poor Gilderoy Lockhart apparently had his memory wiped...at his own hand, no less! He actually had the audacity to try to modify my son's memory! I suppose it's true what they say about never meeting your heroes!! Oh well, it seems Professor Dumbledore will have to find yet another Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for next year. Oh, yes, I nearly forgot -- Dumbledore has returned to Hogwarts! Apparently all of the school governors (excluding Lucius Malfoy) heard about what happened to Ginny and immediately sent a letter to Dumbledore begging for him to come back. And he did, of course -- he was so gentle with Ginny, after her ordeal... Oh, but Carewyn dear, truly, I cannot thank you enough for caring so much for Bill and Charlie. Arthur had sent them his own letters not long before we left for Hogwarts, but from what I understand, your letters reached both Bill and Charlie well before Arthur's did, and I appreciate you trying so hard to make sure they knew what was going on as quickly as possible. Arthur and I send our love, and Ginny as well. Do consider coming over to the Burrow for a visit sometime soon -- Ginny was a bit cheered at the thought of having "another girl" over for dinner! Your mother and brother are more than welcome as well, if they're available. Arthur would be delighted to know what your mother thinks about pinball machines. All our love, Molly Weasley

Not long later, Hagrid returned to Hogwarts, and Carewyn returned to work at the Ministry. It was when she returned to the Ministry that Carewyn noticed Cornelius Fudge's attitude toward her had gone through a considerable change. When she arrived in the Atrium, she caught sight of the Minister likewise heading into work. At the sight of her, Fudge immediately approached her -- but his smile was not as wide open and overly amiable as it was before.

"Hello, Miss Cromwell," he said.

Carewyn blinked. "...Minister."

Fudge inclined his head respectfully. Taking a quick glance around the Atrium, he then spoke a bit more stridently.

"...Professor Dumbledore told me that Hagrid has settled himself back in nicely. He expressed admiration, for your defense of him...Madam Bones did, as well."

Carewyn frowned as her eyes drifted off toward the lift.

"Hagrid was my client," she said simply. "It was my job to advocate for his well-being. And it wasn't either lawful or right for him to remain imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit."

To Carewyn's surprise, Fudge's pleasant expression actually seemed to crack a bit, betraying something strangely insecure.

"I suppose so," said the Minister a bit stiffly. "Well then, Miss Cromwell...I'm afraid I must be off."

He paused. Then, forcing a slightly more politician-worthy smile, he asked, "I hope...I might likewise call on you in the future...should I wish for an expert legal opinion? Madam Bones does speak very highly of your abilities as a lawyer, you know."

Carewyn cocked her eyebrows in surprise. She honestly wasn't expecting that.

"...Of course," she said, once she'd recovered.

Fudge tipped his lime green bowler to her, before turning and sweeping away toward his office. As Carewyn watched him go, she couldn't help but frown.

It was bizarre -- it didn't feel like Fudge disliked her now or anything after she'd so coldly called him out in his office. Even so, there was a wall around his feelings that wasn't there before: something guarded. And yet it didn't seem suspicious or mistrustful. If anything, it felt almost formal: like Fudge was standing that bit taller and being that bit more detached and dignified than before. Less like he was trying to buddy up to Carewyn and use her as a prop to elevate himself and more like how an employer would treat a high-ranked employee...

And then it hit her.

Fudge had called her "Miss Cromwell." Not "Carewyn," not "Carewyn, my dear" -- but "Miss Cromwell." In the same sort of respectful tone of voice he'd use for Madam Bones and other older, respectable Ministry employees.

He was speaking to Carewyn not like a child that he could coax onto his side through coddling and fawning...but as an adult he wished to coax onto his side through decidedly more political means.

Carewyn's red lips came together tightly as she turned and headed for the lift, tossing her much shorter ginger bob off her neck.

Well, even if Fudge was truly nothing but a politician at heart, at least now he saw her as an adult who wouldn't become his sycophant just because he acted nice to her.

[thereideffects]

I won't accept criticism of season 7 from people who actually liked season 6

[hollowed-theory-hall]

Hi! Re your post about Harry not really viewing the Weasleys (apart from Ron) as his surrogate family, I reread the series recently and that's definitely the impression I got as well! Something that really stood out to me was that Harry felt like an outsider after Arthur was attacked:

“Fred fell into a doze, his head sagging sideways onto his shoulder. Ginny was curled like a cat on her chair, but her eyes were open; Harry could see them reflecting the firelight. Ron was sitting with his head in his hands, whether awake or asleep it was impossible to tell. And he and Sirius looked at each other every so often, intruders upon the family grief, waiting . . . waiting.”

Like, Harry is worried about Arthur, but primarily as Ron’s father – he never thinks, “I’m scared of losing Arthur because he what he means to me personally”. Harry is also a lot calmer and rational here as well, in contrast to his sheer terror when he believed Sirius was captured.

Similarly, in Deathly Hallows, when Ron is relieved about his family’s safety after the wedding:

"Harry," [Ron] said over Hermione's shoulder, "I -"

"It's not a problem," said Harry, sickened by the pain in his head. "It's your family, 'course you were worried. I'd feel the same way." He thought of Ginny. "I do feel the same way."

When Harry says that he feels the same way, it’s specifically because of Ginny (who I don’t ship him with at all, but who is his endgame love interest in canon), not the rest of the family as a whole. He cares about them and wants them to be safe, but he never feels like they’re “his”.

When Harry is wistfully imagining the life he could have had if his parents survived, he says, “it would have been his mother [instead of Molly] who had made his seventeenth birthday cake”. It’s interesting because Harry never does this with Sirius, he never says, “oh, I wish it was my mom/dad doing this instead of him”. Sirius exists alongside Lily and James to Harry just as he did when they were alive, and Dumbledore also identifies Harry with all three of them: “spoken like your mother and father’s true son and Sirius’s true godson”.

And there’s everything about Sirius, who is canonically “the closest thing to a parent" that Harry has ever known. There’s no way Harry would have become attached to him so quickly if he viewed anyone else in his life (the Weasleys, Remus, Hagrid, Dumbledore, etc) in a parental capacity.

I would argue that when push comes to shove, it’s maybe possible that Molly and Arthur don’t instinctively think of Harry as their family, either. Like you said, they never write to Harry (to the point where Molly writes to Ron to invite Harry to the Burrow for Christmas in OotP rather than send a letter to Harry himself), nor does Harry ever even expect them to. And when Ron is injured in HBP, Arthur says:

“Half our family does seem to owe you their lives, now I stop and think about it,” Mr. Weasley said in a constricted voice. “Well, all I can say is that it was a lucky day for the Weasleys when Ron decided to sit in your compartment on the Hogwarts Express, Harry.’

Imo, whatever Molly says about Harry being as good as a son to her, they ultimately do sort of differentiate between “our family” and Harry. Which obviously doesn’t change that they love Harry deeply, and vice-versa.

Idk, some of these quotes just stood out to me during my reread after seeing your answer. What do you think?

Anon is referring to this post and really I don't have anything to add, you got it spot on and this is great analysis! I really love the quotes you brought up here and you're 100% right. (I'm gonna ramble more anyway because it's what I do here).

Sirius is the only adult Harry really sees as a parent, and not only that, a parent he can trust (which is so so important to a kid who grew up like Harry). He doesn't have that kind of bond with any other adult in the series. When he has worried while Sirius is alive, he goes to Sirius, and when Sirius died (or before they met), Harry kept these worries to himself for the most part. He loves the Weasleys, but it's only Ron that he really sees as family.

(I agree he cares about Ginny in the final books even though I don't ship it either, but she isn't family to him the way Ron and Hermione are:

He spotted Ginny two tables away; she was sitting with her head on her mother’s shoulder: There would be time to talk later, hours and days and maybe years in which to talk. He saw Neville, the sword of Gryffindor lying beside his plate as he ate, surrounded by a knot of fervent admirers. Along the aisle between the tables he walked, and he spotted the three Malfoys, huddled together as though unsure whether or not they were supposed to be there, but nobody was paying them any attention. Everywhere he looked he saw families reunited, and finally, he saw the two whose company he craved most.

(DH, Ch36)

He likes her, he cares about her, but she's not at that family level by the end of DH. At the end of DH (pre-epilogue), Ron and Hermione are those he wants to see most, Ginny is an afterthought in the same paragraph with Neville and the Malfoys. His family he wants to reunite with once it's all said and done is just Ron & Hermione, not the Weasleys, not Ginny)

And regarding Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, they 100% can tell the difference. There are their children, and there is Harry. I think they really do love Harry, but they don't quite see him as their own. The magical watch 17 birthday gift shows this a little too:

“It’s traditional to give a wizard a watch when he comes of age.” said Mrs. Weasley, watching him anxiously from beside the corner. “I’m afraid that one isn’t new like Ron’s, it was actually my brother Fabian’s and he wasn’t terribly careful with his possessions, it’s a bit dented on the back, but-”

(DH, Ch7)

Ron gets a brand new watch, Harry (who honestly has money to buy his own) gets a used one.

I don't think it was done out of any malicious intent in the Weasleys part, I think it was more that they didn't really consider that they have another son they need to buy a watch for in their budget (which they are bad at managing anyways) and so scrambled with the gift sort of last minute — because they don't really see him as their son, as much as they love him.

(Added note because I was reading through OotP, I think Sirius' relationship with James' parents was similar to the one Harry has with the Weasleys. James is Sirius' best friend, his family who he is closer to than his actual brother. He lived with Harry's grandparents, and yet:

Yeah, I camped out at your dad’s during the school holidays, and then when I was seventeen I got a place of my own, my Uncle Alphard had left me a decent bit of gold — he’s been wiped off here too, that’s probably why — anyway, after that I looked after myself. I was always welcome at Mr. and Mrs. Potter’s for Sunday lunch, though.”

(OotP, Ch6)

They are Mr. and Mrs. Potter, not their names. It's "Your dad's place", not his own. And it's why I don't think post-DH Harry would stay in the Burrow. I don't think he'd feel comfortable to intrude — because that's what it'll feel like. Same as Sirius got a flat the first chance he got — so he won't intrude)

[i-yap]

Hello how are you? I love everything you write and I'm obsessed with Dick Grayson. You could write Dick being obsessed with his pretty girlfriend (we readers) I like these stories where he is obsessed in a way that is not crazy and violent. Usually when they write Yanderes it ends in violence, I don't want anything crazy or violent. Can't a man be obsessed with his girlfriend without ending up like that? please

Heyy im doing well, thank you for asking. I love "pretty girlfriend (we readers)" lmao yes we are pretty readers

Obsessed Dick Grayson x reader

Once dick realizes that what he has with you, what he feels for you and what you mean to him is so much more than his past relationships. Like those relationships don't even come in sight to what this is. He loses it a little.

All of a sudden his easy charms, flirtatious nature and playboy game is just gone and that too when he needs it most.

He gets flustered easy and its really weird for him aka Mr most desirable man in dc.

But don't worry , he learns how to work around those palpitations and blushing-by throwing himself into acts of service. Bringing you water without you even saying by realizing you've been swallowing more than average. Making you dinner which comes out of the oven the second you walk into your home by timing your "I've left work" message and the time on google maps ( or maybe just a tracker on you with your permission)

On the same note..HE IS SO OBSERVANT!! like how did you know that y/n wanted chocolate muffin when she likes trying different flavours every day? oh you analyzed her taste pattern and since she had a fruit in the morning, she will want chocolate? oh okay not weird at all dick

That cringey ginny scene from harry potter of her tying his shoelaces? Yea he sort of does those type of things really often. YOU CANT BLAME HIM OKAY ITS YOUR FAULT MAN HAS LOST ALL HIS RIZZ.

He gets so much more jealous. Like in his past relationships, the girlfriends were jealous not him. He was the one being hit on by everyone. People don't even hit on him as much cause rather than him making charming talk he is just standing behind you, head on your shoulder talking sweet to your ear. In fact it has happened on multiple occasions where he just didn't hear someone because he was busy looking at you in the dress you were wearing. also if you guys ever had a fight in the beginning of your relationship about you being insecure ...he will make sure there is a 4 foot stick between him and any other girl who tries touching him. Will jump onto a chandelier rather than let another girl touch him and risk your relationship . you tell him that its okay and you know he isn't reciprocating their feelings and that he doesn't have to jerk away while loudly saying "no no where's y/n WHERE IS MY Y/N" but he doesn't care nothing comes between him and his baby.

He drops stuff too, forgets whatever line he was about to say and um he has giggled when you complimented him once( but you guys don't talk about that anymore)

He just sort of learns to live with it since this just shows how much he loves you and well..there's no fixing it. And he'll find new ways to fluster you.

i hope this was somewhat you were looking for, have a good day!

[salmonight]

Fred Weasley x Hermione Granger x George Weasley Fic recs

(Mainly Fremione tho)

Fred & Hermione & George

Escapism: Hermione parents die when she is little and she gets placed with her abusive uncle. One day she runs off to find her own adventure and meets the twins in the woods. They instantly become besties. Adorable thing.

fun will be made if it is fun that is craved: Ex prankster Hermione plans a prank to deal with umibitch at the same time as a gift for the twins for the valentine's secret gift exchange

Fred/Hermione/George

Banned Books: Harry and Ron get mione banned from the library for two weeks and she is pissed. The twins cant miss out on the fun of helping her spirit a bunch of books away from the library and getting revenge on those two

Fred/Hermione

All One World: I rly adore the characterizations in this fic. Enterily Fred pov. He got insecurities about everyone thinking him stupid and that he can only ever be a comic relife. He also hates how they always talk as if he and George are one person, not different people no matter how similiar. Hermione wears his rule abiding rigid front as a defensive mask. She got more then one and theyre so perfect even Fred in the know sometimes forgets thats what theyre are. She is also sarcastic and witty and very caring and observant. She never fails to identify him right or know the right thing to put him at ease and he does the same for her pulling her out of her flunks.

Band Tees (You're Fucked.): Very bittersweet it literally made me fucking cry by the end. Fred had loved Hermione since the yule ball and he is the only one who knows about her love of grunge punk. They both share their love of punk music. It's just theirs.

Methods: Fred starts a playful flirty banter that Hermione decides to indulge him with joining in. Thats the first time she startles him. She is deadpan and sarcastic and all for teasing him and startling him. They keep up a fluid flirty banter no heed for the audience

A Charming Fairy Godprince: After Ron's mess up before the Yule ball Fred & George takes it into their own hands to cheer Hermione up and be her magical godfathers like Cinderella's. They rewamp her dress and enlist Ginny for her hair. Of course it cant go without over the top very obvious flirting (on Fred's part) and various compliments.

By the Common Room Fire: Fred is sick but still with the usual drama and flair lays across Hermione's lap and demans head scratches like a cat.

Destiny and Chicken: Hermione is sick so Fred brings her soup, tea and potions.

Exploding Potions and Accidental Revelations: Amortia explodes over Hermione in potions class so she smells like what everyone is attracted to. Fred commits social suicide by announcing she smelled the same as usual before knowing what is going on.

Favourite Weasley: The twins invite Hermione out to the Quidditch match. Who's her favorite Weasley? Wrong answers only.

It Looks Better On Me: The twins accidentally soak Hermione and it’s laundry day so Fred throws his jumper at her to wear. Then Fred is sick so he ain’t playing but out to watch the match so Hermione pulls her hat over his head. Later when he is better he flaunt it around so Hermione decides to steal another of his stuff in retaliation. It sparks an all out war.

While You Were Gone: Ron and Harry leave cuz they need a break after the war leaving mione behind which brakes her and the twins take it into their own hands. They basically adopt her as their third. Its rly fluffy and wholesome, warm and fricking hilarious . It also gonna make u wanna murder Ron and Harry :)

A Small Change: Fred got such a good grades in OWLs they thought he cheated but he didn', he is panicked about doing so well and wanna actually try in school so he writes to Hermione and she helps him. They become rly good friends from then and start to exchange letters and meet up a few times. Theyre rly wholesome and his anxiety about school and his family's reaction is just so real

don't you know you've got the best of me?: Hermione meets the twins and their friend group on the train and they meet again at the sorting. She ends up talking with the twins a few more times and they end up adopting her into their friend group. She aint rly that close with Harry and Ron and she befriended them much later. Most of her friends are all of the twins' year. She is the closest with Fred and theyre best friends, he is also very protective and possessive of her.

Whole New Meaning to "Mooning" Over Someone: When you throw something during the full moon your soulmate 'catches' i. Aka a frustrated Hermione throws her book during the full moon which consequently smashes into a poor sleeping Fred's face.

i wanted to see you again, so please be gentle: Soulmates and modern au with under caffeinated disaster Hermione bulldozing over the interaction not even realizing she met her soulmate. Absolutely hilarious first liner.

Straight Into My Arms: Every year since he was five fred asked for his soulmate from santa till one day they literally fell out of the sky and landed in their arms

George/Hermione

Fancy a night in?: Post-war. George finds any excuse to go over to Hermione's and make her smile.

To be updated...

[gorgeous777]

Letters, Fred Weasley x Fem. Reader

Written exchanges between you and your boyfriend over the summer

A/N: For purposes of the fic, no Voldemort. This takes place between Fred and the reader's sixth and seventh year

Part One of the Letters series

Enjoy!

-------------------------------------

July 27, 1994

Dear Freddie my love,

Hi.

First letter of the summer is always the hardest to write. I'm sorry it took me two weeks to write. You've been the only thing on my mind. I think a hug from you could cure me of this heartache. Needless to say, I miss you. I miss your dumb jokes and all the trick you play to get my attention. I don't like being halfway across the country from you, rather than the handful of staircases that normally stand between us. It's strange, I get so used to Hogwarts that it feels more like home than home does. But when I finally feel like home is home, it's time to go back to Hogwarts. It's a cycle, that's for sure.

Luckily though, this is the last time I have to go through it. I'm still not positive how I feel about us officially being seventh years now. I almost feel like this is all just some long drawn-out fever dream. How do I go from living at school for seven years (save the summer) straight to just being an adult? I mean yeah, I already have plans set and my career picked out, but I can't shake some of the anxiety.

Enough with all that negativity though.

How are you? How're you settling in? Have you and George made more business plans for your shop yet? Is Harry staying with you guys again? Did you find the picture I hid in your trunk? If not, then surprise! I hope you like it. I have a million other some odd questions to ask you. But for the time being, I'll let you answer all of those. Give me all the details, even if they're small or stupid. I wanna know everything.

Love yours only,

Y/N

7/28/94

To my #1 fan,

First off, two weeks was pure torture. I considered writing you first, but I restrained hard to keep my promise to let you be the first to. I was beginning to think you forgot. Really, I'm relived you didn't. You could have just sent a letter with a simple "hi" and some doodles and I would have been grinning like a madman.

I miss you too. It's bloody weird not being able to see your face everyday. I really miss that look you get when I tell one of my "lame" jokes that you try not to laugh at. (Spoiler alert: you fail every time) I did find your picture, almost instantly. You didn't hide it very well. I love it though and I put it on my nightstand. George has been teasing me endlessly about it. He swears I sigh like a lovesick victorian boy whenever I look at it. Lies. (Mostly) ((Not a lie at all))

We've been experimenting making to products to sell. Right now we're busy with one called SnogDrops. The name was my idea. Other than that it's same same. Our goal is to open the shop come next summer. And Harry is here, yeah. Mum as usual is thrilled to have him around, so is Ginny. Go figure. I'd be thrilled to have you here too. As for seventh year.. Yeah that whole train of thought is just mental. But you'll be just fine, you always are. If not, I'm here with a shoulder to cry on and "bad jokes" to cheer you up with.

Write back sooner than two weeks or I swear I'll follow your owl back to your house.

Hug waiting here when you want it, or several. Probably some snogs too.

Your favorite, Fred

P.S. Answer all your questions for me too

July 31st, 1994

Dear Favorite of Mine,

No need to follow O/N home. I'm glad things are going good with your guy's business plans, though I did doubt they would be going unlike planned. I've been doing surprisingly well. Better than usual anyway. I've slept in the t-shirt you gave me literally every night, so I'm pretty sure that's part of it. Your smell is comforting on several different levels. Other than that'd I've spent a good amount of time outside. Nothing too exciting or potentially dangerous like a hike or something. I've been hanging out in my gardens and reading mostly.

Boring, I know. I've enjoyed it though. My aunt gifted me a small stack of fiction muggle books so that's been they've been the subject of my attention. They actually aren't as bad as I thought they'd be. My mum said that muggles have no writing skills or creativity, but so far she's been incorrect. I've also gone swimming twice. I plan on going again here in a day or two with my cousins.

Have you gone swimming yet? Or do you not have anywhere close enough to. We have this huge pond not to far from the manor. It's practically a small lake. And I haven't drowned yet. Which, is surprising. Swimming isn't my strong suit by any means. But hey, a win is a win. For now.

I wish you were here having all this fun with me. I'm gonna try to talk my dad into letting you come stay the weekend with us or something. Not this one though, obviously. Speaking of, tell Harry I said happy birthday and give him all my best. I'd send him a card or something, but I feel like that'd be a bit awkward y'know?

Anyhow, if I don't get to see you soon I think I might actually drop dead at any given moment. It's gotten to the point were I seriously think I've started missing your horrible jokes. That's bad. That's really, really bad. I'm holding you to those several hugs too, so be prepared.

Love your biggest fan,

Y/N

P.S. Dad said yes, time doesn't matter

8/2/94

To the future Mrs. Weasley,

Happy to hear my shirt is being put to good use. I recon it looks a whole lot better on you than it ever did me too. Not as happy about your potential drowning. Be careful, yeah? For your own well being and mine. I feel like a total wet mop worrying about you. On that note, I haven't gone swimming yet. That can change though, say I do come spend the weekend at yours. Will your parents mind if I get there by Floo Powder? We can work that out.

I'll talk to my mum about it regardless. Doubt she'll have any problem with it so long as I tell her your address. Things over here are chaotic, as normal. George nearly burned off his eyebrow yesterday working on a prototype. Besides that, things are mostly good in making products. As for your confession..

I won't lie, I reread that bit more times than I counted. I'm taking it as full permission to come at you with at least three horrible puns the next time I see you (hopefully in a few days). You'll get your hugs then too. Something else too, but that bit's a surprise ;) I'll make sure to be decent around your parents too, but I can't promise I won't sneak into your room if they put me in a different one. Cuddling you is an opportunity I refuse to miss out on. Especially after being away from you for so bloody long. Be ready or not.

Your personal court jester, Fred.

P.S. Harry says thank you

August 9, 1994

Dear Court Jester,

I had so much fun this weekend. I wish you didn't have to go home. If I could, I'd keep you with me at all times. But, I suppose that you do have a family of your own to go spend time with too. Thank you again for the necklace, it was in fact a new surprise. I was completely expecting you saying that to be an innuendo. Still, I should know to expect the unexpected from you by now. I can also confirm my parents didn't hear you sneaking into my room at night. Or if they did, they haven't said anything.

Either way, that was the best I've slept in months. Makes me miss our naps together at school when we skip class. It'll have to be a must do on the train ride back to Hogwarts. Oh, and, that hickey you left on the back of my shoulder didn't go unnoticed by my cousin, so thanks for the single most humiliating moment of my life. They all think we got down now. You wish. (I wish too but not gonna happen until we graduate, so keep dreaming lover boy)

Also, you left your jumper of here if you were looking for it. I'm not sending it back to you, it's mine now. You're welcome. I hate how busy the next three weeks are gonna be that with getting everything read for school. Packing, shopping, y'know all the stuff. I bet that takes extra long for you because of all your siblings + Harry. I hope it isn't too overwhelming or stressful. I miss and love you more with every passing second. Please write back soon. I know I'm a fine one to talk, but still. And give your mom my best for letting you come over and stay for two nights.

Love, the future Mrs. Weasley,

Y/N

8/30/94

To my girl,

I know it's a bit late to write you back, really late actually. I know it's a little pointless to send this since we see each other tomorrow, but I felt like it anyway. I would have wrote you back much sooner if your letter didn't get misplaced. I was sleeping when the mail came (so I'm told) and mum forgot to tell me I got anything. I'm sorry, I really am. You were right though, the last two weeks were a nightmare. Though, George and I successfully packed up a good amount of our products to sell while at school. Yknow what that means; the games afoot. We plan on giving Filch a run for his money this year, it being our last in all.

I love you too, I miss you more. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. You'll get your cuddles and your nap, rest assured. We'll talk more then while I loath every minute between our reconnection.

Yours undoubtedly, Fred.

P.S. You can keep the jumper.

[kmt123whatsthetea]

The Weasley twins Christmas headcanon

A/N: Merry Christmas everyone! I thought I’d write a Christmas headcanon since I didnt last year. I hope you all have an amazing holiday and New Year. Enjoy the fic, my horny devils.

SFW

~ The build up to the big day would be pretty hectic considering you worked at the shop with the twins

~ A constant cycle of customers asking if you had extra stock or if they could pay less was a nightmare, but it was all worth it when the twins shut the shop late Christmas eve

~ They love the idea of buying matching pyjama sets (matching is all they really know)

~ If you’re a muggle born or a half blood, you’ll show them classic christmas films like Home Alone or It's a Wonderful Life on the tv that you convinced them to try out

~ Christmas baking is a necessity

~ It doesn't even matter that the twins are terrible bakers. Magic does it for you

~ Christmas day at the Burrow is unlike anything you’ve ever known

~ Molly’s cooking definitely gets the chefs kiss award

~ Christmas is the only time you get to meet Charlie and see Bill and Fleur

~ The house is packed (Molly likes to joke that grandbabies would top things off)

~Fred and George decided to try out their new product, a small marble sized ball that grows into a snowball when combined with the engorgement charm

~ Instead of bursting into snow upon impact, they disintegrate like flakes of ash

~ This quickly leads to a snowball fight on the surrounding Burrow land after Molly threatened the ginger flock about getting any ‘snow’ inside the house

~ Ginny wins this fight after hiding in one of the bedrooms and catapulting the ‘snowballs’ down from the window

~ Molly and Arthur always include you in presents, even though you aren't officially a Weasley they still treat you like you are

~ After about half an hour, the floor is covered in wrapping paper and everyone is wearing a new knitted ensemble courtesy of the matriarch herself

~ And by the end of the night, moving has become impossible from the amount of food that has been served and eaten

~ It’s times like this where you appreciate floo travel instead of a several hour car drive

NSFW

~ The Twins didn’t realise that you had one more present in store for them

~ It was only when you called them into the bedroom that they understood why you needed time to ‘get the gift ready’

~ The gift consisted of lacy lingerie and a plastic bow that sat on your head

~ Although this was a gift you gave them often, they were very grateful nonetheless

~ The twins loved their gift so much that they decided to unwrap it immediately

~ It took you more time to get the ensemble on than it did for them to tear it off of you

~ But it was worth it to see the look on their faces, and for the wild ride that came with it

~ The twins pounced on you, breathing in your new perfume that they bought you and the feeling of your soft skin

~ Their hands roamed over you, tugging until the lingerie was discarded on the floor and their clothes followed suit

~ One held you in his arms while the other pushed into you, they made you cum at least twice before switching

~ They only wish they had gotten creative with the mistletoe

~ They would have made sure to kiss you everywhere (not that they needed mistletoe to do so) ~ Lets just say that boxing day was a day spent in bed recovering, and giving a few last christmas presents ;)

[bloodyrook]

Can't believe how deeply invested i am in this season of ginny and georgia but the writing really is hitting.

In terms of ginny in max's storyline, I'm gonna need people to let up on her. Because she wasn't actaully being a bad friend to her for most of the season, it was only when marcus lied about his drink problem and made out that max was lying that she was intentionally mean and cold to her. I think ginny will feel horrible about it now she has seen how bad marcus is but max knows where she stands with her now any way. So, work would needs to be put in to building back a friendship. The writing overall for ginny was much better this season. The first 2 had her come off as bratty even though her feelings where valid.

The person really pushing to leave max out was abby. I think that its coming from unresolved resentment from season 2 and they need to actually implode and have the fucking arguement. Then maybe they could fix it which is what max wants but abby does not want to talk about any feelings ever especially with max for some reason. Idk if they will make this a thing but i remember thinking they had romantic tension in season 1 at least on abby's side. So, i find her pushing her away as she comes into her queerness and very intentionally shutting her out of that interesting.

Norah is just a follower. She shut abby out in season 2 cause max told her to and now she's doing it with max for abby. Like make a decision for yourself. She had more of a personality this season though so hopefully more in 4.

I do hope max crashes out on these bitches and if they really want to mend the friend group they all need to make a real fucking effort.

[drjackabbots]

that last gifset made me sad that we never got a follow up to the Mel/Abbot "Talk to me at the end of the day" scene

Mel’s convinced she’s made it to the door without anyone noticing her before a voice stops her dead in her tracks.

“Dr. King.”

It’s said in that sort of way that’s not really a question even if someone else would frame it like that, and Mel lets her shoulders rise up a little towards her ears as she slowly turns.

Oh, boy.

“I’d like a word before you leave,” Dr. Abbot says calmly, and Mel tries to smile at him. She’s had pretty limited interaction with him, given that basically every conversation had the undertone of ‘this person is dying, can you please come help if it’s not too much trouble’, but she can already tell that Dr. Abbot takes no nonsense as more than just a personality trait. It’s probably more like a way of life.

“Oh, right,” she says, fiddling with her bag. “Yeah! Yeah. Of course. Sure.”

Dr. Abbot leads her a little aways from the exit while everyone else is getting all their things together. She can see the way that he glances over at Dr. Robby, who seems to be headed towards a conversation with Dana, and then his attention is on her again. He holds eye contact like it comes naturally to him, while Mel has to fight to keep it without fidgeting or turning away. He’s intimidating, and she’s preparing herself for whatever reprimand is about to come down on her head. Was it the spinal tap against the parents’ wishes? The way she told on Santos about the REBOA? Maybe the way she kept sneaking off to gather her wits? There are probably a million—

“I wanted to apologize for this morning,” Dr. Abbot says curtly, and Mel blinks up at him.

“...um,” she says, because she can’t really think of anything else. “I’m… sorry? For… what, exactly?”

“This morning,” he repeats. “When I told you to talk to me at the end of your shift.”

The conversation feels like so many worlds away that Mel has to genuinely think about it. She must’ve lived at least three lives in the span of the last fifteen hours, but when the memory finally slides into place, she bites her lip and then shrugs as nonchalantly as she can.

“Oh. I mean… You were right,” she says quietly, picking at the skin of her thumb with her index finger at her side. “I definitely feel different than I did when I came in. It was a lot. And I learned a lot! For sure. But it was…” She clears her throat. “You don’t… need to apologize or anything, even if I appreciate the thought—”

“I do need to apologize,” he interrupts, and she falls silent. “You’re an exceptional doctor, from what Robby told me. I might’ve been in a bad mood when you introduced yourself, but that was no reason for me to shoot you down like that. Especially not after the shitshow today ended up being.”

It’s a lot to take in with the way her brain’s starting to feel like it’s full of lead, and it takes Mel a second to process what he’s saying. Dr. Abbot’s a lot taller than she is, and he stands with his hands clasped behind his back like some kind of drill sergeant, and his tone brokers zero argument. But the words exceptional doctor come through clear as day, and under that stoic and sarcastic persona, Mel thinks there might be someone almost gentle there. A softness underneath the scars. Or, at least, she hopes so.

“...yeah,” she says, nodding and laughing a little. It’s not exactly funny, and there’s not a lot of mirth in it, but it’s a laugh anyway. “Yeah, it—yeah, today was a shitshow.”

“But you did good.” Dr. Abbot holds that eye contact when she tries to look away, following her like a bird. “You know that, right?”

The way he says it comes with so much conviction that Mel doesn’t even question it this time. She swallows hard, thinking of everything that’s happened today. None of it felt good, and none of it felt like she was making any progress, but… she can believe it, in this moment, that she proved herself. At least there’s that.

“Yeah,” she says softly. “I tried to. I hope I did.”

“You did,” he insists, like it’s a personal mission.

Although it takes a second, Mel nods.

Then, to her shock, she gets a smile. It’s not a bright, cheerful smile, but there’s something… kind about it. Dr. Abbot isn’t like Dr. Robby, and maybe that’s a good thing when it’s needed. The smile’s gone as quickly as it came, and Dr. Abbot straightens up again from where he’d tilted his head to follow her eyes when she tried to look away.

“Don’t forget that,” he says, hitching his bag more securely onto his shoulder. “And don’t let an old shit like me get to you. This place needs more people like you. The patients need more people like you. So you keep going. You got it, Dr. King?”

A proud warmth blossoms in her chest, tendrils of it trying to reach out and brighten the tired agony of the day. It hadn’t felt like that, most of the day, but between Dr. Abbot and Dr. Robby’s affirmations, Mel thinks she might just be able to come back tomorrow.

“Got it,” she replies, and Dr. Abbot nods as he turns on his heel.

“Good,” he says, and throws a vague goodbye wave over his shoulder as he makes his way towards Dr. Robby waiting for him near the exit to triage. “Now get out of here before you change your mind.”

That’s really all she needs. Dr. Robby gives her a little wave too, and she returns it with probably too much false cheer. She can see it in his eyes that the day’s gone just as poorly for him as it has her.

Once they’re both gone, Mel pushes the door open with her shoulder and takes off down the street. She’s already thinking about how she needs to pick up Becca and how to finagle a shower without waking her up once Mel convinces her to go to bed, but the words echo in her mind. That warmth in her chest stays, beating in time with her heart as she rounds a corner and holds her phone up to her ear.

“Hey,” she says, counting down each number on the crosswalk across the street as they flicker one by one. “I’m done with my shift. I’m coming to pick you up, okay?”

Becca’s full of delight, as always. It keeps that warm feeling flickering like a campfire.

“Did your first day go okay? How do you like it there? Is it fun?”

Mel smiles, waiting for the last car to drive by as she’s hit with a familiar barrage of questions.

“We’ll see how I feel after a few more shifts,” she says, hurrying across the street. “Anyway, what about you? You’re going to have to tell me all about your day when I get there.”

It wasn’t the VA, that’s for sure, but… she could learn to love the Pitt. She could learn to make it her home, and the people there a weird, messed up sort of family. She can come back and try again.

As long as every day doesn’t end up like today, anyway.

also on ao3!

[cherry-pop-elf]

What Kissing The Weasley Siblings Feels Like

Warnings: Fluff, Sensual, a little risky, no smut, graphic descriptions of lips and smoochies. 16+? Think that works

Writing Commissions Open

William ‘Bill’

Given half his face is missing he doesn’t really like giving kisses. It’s awkward, and strange. To only have half your mouth. How his lips are never able to be soft, or how there is so much teeth. Despite it, you would always kiss the corner of his mouth. He deserved to be kissed, and that is simply that. You find a way, and doing so warms his soul. One day, he finally gets brave enough to return a kiss. It’s awkward, it’s strange, but his intent is all that matters. He was horribly anxious, but followed through. Besides. A little tongue makes it more fun anyway. Whenever the full moon gets closer, you expect getting nothing but tongue and teeth anyway. What’s some more?

Charlie

Warm. They are always so warm, and chapped from the heat. He works with dragons all day, and you can always taste the ash on his breath. He’s a passionate man. He is so intense. Every kiss is like being swallowed whole by the embers of the very dragons he has tamed. He’s so passionate. A man that would lift you off your feet, and have you arched in his strong hands. As if he is trying to consume you, and lick your skin like an angry fire. He is a man that knows what he wants. What he wants is to make sure you know he loves you. He wants you so very bad

Percy

He’s always been quite the prim and proper type. His kisses tend to be quick, short, and almost sharp. Like a peck to the cheek. He has just always had trouble showing affection, but you knew that when you signed up with him. So it wasn’t like he manipulated you into thinking one thing over the other. Regardless, he does try. When his lips do find yours, they are nice. His lips are honestly softer than you expect. He always did take good care of himself after all. They never last to long, but you enjoy them while you can. He’s stepping out of his comfort zone, and you are proud of him for doing such. That’s what matters, after all. You’ll get more. You know you will.

Fred

He’s an intense fella. He likes to plaster you in little kisses, before becoming a living cartoon and dipping you into a passionate embrace. He loves to use kisses to fluster your soul, and be playful in soaking you in little ones. You swear every time you meet he makes sure to leave a kiss on you somewhere. His lips are warm, and a bit chapped. He works with fire works all day, kinda a given. Always the taste of ash on his tongue, but you are fine with it. You just adore how he’s always excited to give you kisses. Each other so alive. He’s just in love. What can he say?

George

Similar to his twin, but still his own person entirely. He’s a bit more emotional. He likes to let kiss be a bit gentler, and lets them last longer. He would trail soft kisses from your cheek, ghost your lips, and go to the next cheek. Then slap a long passionate one, right on your lips. He likes showing his emotions through his lips. Short kisses of excitement, long kisses of need, ghosting to tease. He loves to make use of his mouth, what can he say? He does more than talk your ear off about his latest invention. Mans knows how to work those lips to his advantage. In all the right places.

Ron

He’s an awkward guy. His kisses are either shy, or way too much mouth. You kinda have to teach him. As if either of you complain. He’s just a little dork. YOUR dork. Once he gets his footing, he’s enjoying himself. He still uses more mouth than lips, but you’ve grown to rather love it. How he’s just starving to have you. Even if you were gone just a few minutes. How he utterly craves your touch. It’s addictive. You’ve grown to adore those sloppy kisses he has to offer. They are HIS kisses after all. It makes him all the more special. He’s your dorky guy. All yours, and all his kisses belong to you. So hungry, and devouring.

Ginny

She’s a professional Quidditch player. Do not expect her lips not to be cracked, bloody, dry, what have you. Doesn’t mean her kisses are any less adored. She’s one for quick pecks, as she’s always running off somewhere to do something. You are in love with a Jock. A Weasley Jock no less. Regardless, she knows how to kiss. She knows that sometimes you deserve longer smooches. She does, however, enjoy cheek kisses. She loves giving cheek kisses. Platonic, romantic, she’s a cheek kisser. She will hug you tight, and plant multiple cheek kisses all over you, when she’s really excited. She’s the child of six older brothers. She’s a bit aggressive, but that’s what made you fall in love with her. Ain’t that right?

[iamnmbr3]

I'm rereading OotP and I cannot believe Harry has more one-to-one conversations with Cho in this book than he does with Ginny throughout HBP???

From a writing perspective, I just don't understand what is the purpose of that???

That is...actually an excellent point. I also feel like Harry/Cho felt more naturally built up and developed. No bizarre "chest monster" moment out of nowhere. Instead, Harry thinks Cho is really pretty but also he's impressed by her spunk and skill while playing Quidditch against her and then gets to know her in book 5. Ultimately they don't work out, but the attraction feels natural. And if it hadn't been for Cedric's death and everything that went down in book 5 maybe they would've lasted longer.

Meanwhile hinny just comes out of nowhere with basically no buildup and then no development. Harry constantly thinks about Ginny's body and...not much else. Honestly it feels more like Harry trying to justify rabid lust more than anything. It's especially odd because in book 5 Harry and Ginny do have several conversations that are substantive - including about his desire to talk to Sirius and about his fears that he's possessed. Ginny also comforts him about Cho. She's likable and 3 dimensional and funny. In book 6 Ginny is possessive and mean spirited and painfully unfunny. And also side lined. Harry doesn't talk to her at all. Even once they're together he only thinks back on their moments in "secluded" parts of the grounds rather than about anything she said. We never even get a scene of him buying her anything for Christmas or her birthday like he does for Ron or Hermione.

Book 6 in general is very weird. I love the Tom Riddle flashbacks and also the drarry but like...the drarry was not supposed to be canon. JKR just messed up. From a Doylist perspective the book is downright bizarre. So Harry spends all summer with Ginny, his alleged love interest and we get no scenes of them together. Then he immediately ditches her on the train to chase after Draco Malfoy, who he doesn't like and has no special feelings for. Then he starts learning about Voldemort's past, but never asks Ginny about it or includes her in anything or shows any desire to. His main opportunity to spend time with Ginny is during Quidditch practice. But now he's annoyed he has to be on the team because he would rather follow around Draco Malfoy than spend time with his love interest. Finally he catches Draco in a vulnerable moment saying some incriminating things. Draco attacks him with a highly illegal spell and Harry severely injures him in self defense. Even though Draco has basically admitted to being a Death Eater on a dangerous mission Harry totally backs off because he feels so bad about hurting a Death Eater who he hates in an act of self defense. Only after this does he get together with Ginny. They still never talk about anything. Draco, who Harry only feels dislike and disdain for, then gets Bill maimed and seemingly gets Dumbledore killed. Harry's reaction is to worry about whether Draco is ok. He breaks up with Ginny. This is a footnote. He doesn't worry about her feelings or spend much time thinking about her.

Like. WHAT?!

[axylotls]

⌕ s͟e͟a͟r͟c͟h͟i͟n͟g axyl's pg . .

zᶻ ( DR MASTERLIST ) ⨟ ♡

as i have so many drs, i've decided to make separate master lists to cover each type of dr that i have!! i'm most definitely not going to make posts for every single one of my drs, but i'd love for people to be able to find someone that possibly shares their niche interest lol^^

୨ৎ ˚ ﹒⠀ zerobaseone [ twenty-seven drs ] ⠷

i have many many many zerobaseone drs because they're my ult group at the moment, and i love them so much ㅠㅠ they are a whole other category from k-pop drs (and its sub-categories) because i've decided i need to live every single possible life i could live in relation to these boys!!!

୨ৎ ˚ ﹒⠀ superhero [ eleven drs ] ⠷

this category is very vague, but boy do i have many drs that fit this!!! i'll include marvel/mcu, miraculous, and any other type of reality that has something in relation to powers and/or being a hero (or perhaps being in proximity to them.) these are normally very lore and world-building heavy, which makes them even more fun to talk about and script!!

୨ৎ ˚ ﹒⠀ k-pop / idol [ seventeen drs ] ⠷

all realities in which i am a k-pop idol—besides my zb1 drs. this includes own group drs, soloist drs, and drs where i am a member of a pre-existing cr group. admittedly, i cut down a lot of my k-pop drs recently. there are chances i bring back some of my old drs, but as i'm focused on other things, i don't want to stress too much about keeping track of all of them.

୨ৎ ˚ ﹒⠀ hogwarts [ seven drs ] ⠷

i can not stress enough how much i despise jkr!!!!! i hate that woman!!!!!! however i am a #victim of harry potter and find so much comfort in hogwarts ㅠㅠ trust there are so many things about the world building that i've changed because that woman truly can't actually write properly.

୨ৎ ˚ ﹒⠀ fame / celebrity [ twelve drs ] ⠷

shifters yearn for fame... kidding obviously not all of us do, but i sure do! it was always my dream as a kid to become an actress and i don't care about manifesting that into this reality—so let me shift to another where that is already preestablished! i have many forms of fame drs other than acting, though.

zᶻ ( DR DUMP ) ⨟ ♡

now let me just dump a bunch of drs i may or may not go through with lol!!! i most definitely won't be focusing on nor posting about any of these unless i randomly get motivation. just want to drop them all here so that people who have similar drs can see them and tell me allllll about them!!!!! just 'cause it's not one of my main drs does not mean that i don't want to hear about your dr in the same-ish reality :]

୨ৎ ˚ ﹒⠀ tv shows [ & movies ] ⠷

alice in borderland. alice in wonderland. a.n.t. farm. arcane. austin & ally. baby. the babysitters club. barbie. batfam. bella & the bulldogs. best friends whenever. big hero six. bikini bottom. boynextdoor next door. business proposal. camp half blood. criminal minds. descendants. the devil wears prada. diamond castle. enhypen next door. ever after high. everything sucks. fairy secret. fashion fairytale. the fosters. gilmore girls. ginny & georgia. good luck charlie. the good place. gravity falls. hannah montana. her private life. hometown cha cha cha. how to train your dragon. the hunger games. inside out. island princess. jessie. jumanji. k-12 (i don't support melanie!!). kc undercover. lab rats. lemonade mouth. little women. maleficent. mean girls. my demon. namib. narnia. neverland. one day at a time. outerbanks. part time idol. pitch perfect. pokémon. power rangers. princess & the popstar. princess charm school. princess diaries. princess switch. sam & cat. the school for good and evil. shake it up. shameless. shrek. sky high. spiderverse. spirited. squid game. starstruck. start up. study group. the suite life series. the summer i turned pretty. summer strike. teen beach movie. the thundermans. to all the boys i've loved before. tomorrowland. totally spies. twinkling watermelon. victorious. weak hero. wednesday. wicked. wizards of waverly place. wreck it ralph. yellowjackets.

୨ৎ ˚ ﹒⠀ books [ & fanfics ] ⠷

chanwitch. dark moon. dollhouse. folk of the air series. geronimo stilton. heartless. hideout. i hope this doesn't find you. if you could see the sun. kitten. the lunar chronicles series. paragon academy of aces. renegades series. say please. shatter me series. the tale of geoji & jinsil. this time it's real. you don't have a shot.

୨ৎ ˚ ﹒⠀ miscellaneous [ other realities ] ⠷

ancient royalty. better cr. boarding school. children of the planets. christmas wonderland. college life. concert experience. cottage witch. cupid. double life. dragon rider academy. eternal childhood. eternal summer. fantasy. five nights at freddy's. futuristic academy. ghost hunter. idol school. intergalactic royalty. jeu imaginaire. medieval royalty. minecraft. modern royalty. pirate life. post apocalyptic. porn star. small town. spy academy. street racer. supernatural school. supernatural idol school. teacher. waiting room. women-only paradise.

original dr masterlist

[hollowed-theory-hall]

Hi, I love your meta and your thoughts on hp characters, especially my boy Harry.

Do you think Harry really sees the Weasleys as family, or does he just see them as Ron's family? Also, did he ever feel like he didn't belong with them and felt distant even though they seemed to care for him?

I'm just curious if it is canon that he felt so close to them, or if it is just an exaggeration from fandom wanting Harry to be part of the Weasleys.

Thank you!

I think Harry loves the Weasleys and wants them to be his family — but he doesn't feel like they are. (I talked about this a bit here)

I think, what makes it the clearest is how he calls Arthur and Molly — Mr. and Mrs. Weasley throughout the entire series. He is not close enough to them to call them by their names.

He thinks of them as Ron's parents. The other Weasley kids are Ron's siblings — not Harry's. Ron and Hermione are like Harry's family, but the other Weasleys are not.

Harry sat down, took the square parcel she had indicated, and unwrapped it. Inside was a watch very like the one Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had given Ron for his seventeenth; it was gold, with stars circling around the face instead of hands. “It’s traditional to give a wizard a watch when he comes of age.” said Mrs. Weasley, watching him anxiously from beside the corner. “I’m afraid that one isn’t new like Ron’s, it was actually my brother Fabian’s and he wasn’t terribly careful with his possessions, it’s a bit dented on the back, but-” The rest of her speech was lost; Harry had got up and hugged her, He tried to put a lot of unsaid things into the hug and perhaps she understood them, because she patted his check clumsily when he released her, then waved her wand in a slightly random way, causing half a pack of bacon out of the frying pan onto the floor.

(DH, Ch7)

Harry loves the concept of the Weasleys as a family. He wishes to feel like family, and is touched when Arthur & Molly go out of their way to integrate him — but they are still Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, not Arthur and Molly.

Even later in DH, you see how he doesn't really think of hismelf as one of the Weasleys:

The Great Hall seemed to fly away, become smaller, shrink, as Harry reeled backward from the doorway. He could not draw breath. He could not bear to look at any of the other bodies, to see who else had died for him. He could not bear to join the Weasleys, could not look into their eyes, when if he had given himself up in the first place, Fred might never have died. . .

(DH, Ch33)

He spotted Ginny two tables away; she was sitting with her head on her mother’s shoulder: There would be time to talk later, hours and days and maybe years in which to talk. [...] Everywhere he looked he saw families reunited, and finally, he saw the two whose company he craved most.

(DH, Ch36)

He seeks out Ron and Hermione, and Ron and Hermione alone. He doesn't feel comfortable joining in with the Weasleys as the family unites to mourn Fred. He doesn't feel like he belongs. Regardless of how many sweaters and homemade goods Mrs. Weasley sends Harry, how much he likes her, he still calls her Mrs. Weasley and doesn't feel comfortable opening up to her or talking to her about anything serious. Harry loves Mr. Weasley, but he never treats him like a parental figure. Neither does he treat Molly like a parental figure to him.

When he's upset, he talks to Sirius, he doesn't try to reach out to Arthur & Molly. He never writes them letters. And they don't send him letters either (besides the one in OotP where Arthur tells him not to leave the Dursleys, but it doesn't really count). He never sends letters to any of Ron's brothers, even though Ron does so on occasion. The only people Harry really treats as his family are Sirius, Ron, and Hermione.

He loves the Weasleys, but besides Ron (and Hermione), they aren't his family. He doesn't feel like one of them. It's why he is so touched every time Mrs. Weasley does something that reminds him she sees him as family:

“He’s not your son,” said Sirius quietly. “He’s as good as,” said Mrs. Weasley fiercely. “Who else has he got?” “He’s got me!” [...] “I think Harry ought to be allowed a say in this,” Lupin continued. “He’s old enough to decide for himself.” “I want to know what’s been going on,” Harry said at once. He did not look at Mrs. Weasley. He had been touched by what she had said about his being as good as a son, but he was also impatient at her mollycoddling. . . . Sirius was right, he was not a child.

(OotP, Ch5)

Because he doesn't really think of himself as their family. It isn't obvious to him — he doesn't see himself as her son. But he kinda wishes he was.

[fa-headhoncho]

Unlike The Rest: "Love" Letter

(Eventual) George Weasley x Malfoy!Reader

Summary: George isn't too keen on his older brother Charlie visiting.

Word Count: 1232

Reader: Female

Warnings: None!

Author’s Note: Shout out to everyone who keeps reading these. I have been posting these for the last 5 years and there is no schedule what so ever. I have a huge backlog of these when I need comfort.

If you have requests for this series, please send them. No promises when they will get done but you will be tagged.

Masterlist

Series Masterlist

=====

The corridors are bursting at the seams when the clock signals the end of the day. The extra two student bodies make it almost impossible to move down the hallway at even a turtle’s pace. Yet, that does not stop you as you drag Ginny through the current of people. Some Beauxbatons girls send you glares at the lack of manners when you plow through them but you don't care. 

You didn’t remember when you picked up the youngest Weasley, you just saw a tuff of the familiar shade of red long hair and started dragging her to the next destination.

The leaves crunch under your Oxfords when you stomp onto the grounds in front of the clocktower. You finally come to a barreling stop, sending Ginny to almost trip over herself before you catch her.

After a moment of you helping her steady herself, you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. “What’s gotten into you?” She just gets a brief moment of eye contact before your eyes flick to her tie. The thing is a mess, tangled messily and you can’t help but shove a piece of parchment under your armpit and reach out to fix it.

The motions of untying the scarlet knot seem to bring you back, the muscle memory of it all pulling your racing mind to a halt. “Just-“ Your lips pull into a grin, the sprinting across the castle and slight autumn breeze adding color to the apples of your cheeks. “Just excited, that's all.” The parchment under your arm burns mockingly at your understatement.

Ginny stares at you while you fix the tie she so hastily slugged on this morning to beat the traffic. She runs different scenarios in her head that might cause such a reaction, the color on your cheeks seems like a blush… “Did your sweet Georgie finally write you a love let—“ She cuts herself off with a choking sound when you tighten her tie a little too tight.

The warning glint in your eye when you so innocently look back at her tells her she’s wrong yet she can’t help the teasing grin that slips onto her own face at the reaction. “Worse than my own little brother sometimes.” You mumble, fixing her hair back over her shoulders before turning away.

She rolls her eyes, knowing the quip was joking considering you give her your “hand-me-downs” that somehow always fit her perfectly. But she has no time to call you out because you’re grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the group of her brothers sitting by the fountain.

You stop before the three of them, still out of breath with one hand gripping the piece of parchment and the other cutting off the circulation in Ginny’s hand. The breeze ruffles your hair even more, the strands that fell out of your hair-do tickling your nose.

The good mood you were in dampers slightly when you see Ron staring up at you from his place by his brothers. You let out a hum, annoyed to see him since he’s still giving poor Harry a hard time.

The fourth year shared an almost identical eyeroll to his sister’s from earlier as he munches on some candy. “What do you want, Malfoy?” The twins' heads comically snap up at his tone, both giving their little brother different disgusted looks.

“I thought the agreement was you don’t talk and we let you sit by us.” Fred reminds the boy and you honestly wonder how his eyes didn’t roll out of this head. He mumbles something under his breath before shoving a handful of chocolates into his mouth again.

The twins finally turn to you, who is nearly vibrating out of your skin at this point with the news you’ve been holding in for the last few hours. “What’s with the impromptu family reunion?” He greets you with.

You release Ginny’s hand and hold out the piece of parchment out like a kid showing their mom their highly scored exam. “This.” You gleam with a lift to your voice.

“What is it?”

“Secret admirer.” Ginny’s response earns her a glare from George.

You let out a dreamy sigh, turning the paper over to read the words again, “Even better.” The three siblings all hold in their amusement at George’s abrupt standing. He swiftly switches places with his sister who gladly takes her seat on the lip of the fountain.

The taller boy tries to read the supposed letter over your shoulder but you are quick to hug it to your chest. “You know how your brother is… visiting.” They all nod, “Well, Charlie convinced Dumbledore to let me see the dragons when they all come as long as I don’t tell anyone.”

“Doing a grand job at that.” Ron snorts but you ignore him, too excited to entertain his snarkiness. 

“How did you even find out about him coming?”

You shrug, oh so casually with the bomb you drop on poor Georgie’s heart. “Oh, well, he told me.”

“When?”

You scoff like he knew that you’ve been pen pals with his hotter older brother who takes care of dragons. “Our last letter. Come on, Georgie, he’s been sending me letters ever since the whole Norbert thing. He even said that they might be taking interns this summer and he’ll put in a good word for me.”

“Since third year?” He mutters out, acting as if you just told him that they blocked all the secret passageways they memorized from that map. “Before we were even friends?”

You shrug, mumbling a “I thought we were friends.” under your breath before perking up again. “Well, just thought I’d tell you lot so you wouldn’t be so surprised to see me down there in a couple days. Plus, this is like the best thing that’s happened to me since I saw Buckbeak take a chunk out of Draco and I can’t even tell Cedric anything.”

George’s mind is doing laps around the castle grounds at how fast you’re moving past the topic of exchanging letters with his cool brother for the last three years. He doesn’t even hear you talking with the rest of his siblings before you announce you were heading to the library to draft up a list of questions to ask Charlie and his fellow dragon tamers.

He snaps out of his trance as you start to walk away, grabbing the strap of your bag to get your attention. The three are Weasley’s left sitting there struggling at this point to keep their composure, just watching their brother almost beg his crush for one drop of recognition. 

The tall redhead doesn’t even ask to come with you, he just leaves you standing there confused as he gathers his things from the courtyard’s floor and snatches the parchment from your hands before walking away.

You whine out his name, now trailing after him to get back the letter that confirmed your visit. George nearly preens at you following him, every so often jumping and bumping into him to get your letter from his outstretched hand.

“I can’t wait for Charlie to visit now.” Ginny is the one to break the silence after you and George disappear in the crowd at the doors under the clock. The two brothers let out a fit of giggles, barely audible words of agreement between laughs.

[ashotofogdensoldfirewhiskey]

Conclusions

Ginny's run out of her good parchment and has been reduced to using something she dug out of the bottom of her trunk, hating the way her quill scratches over the rough surface. As though it isn’t punishment enough to be writing about History of Magic, she’s got to do it on this piece of rubbish. 

“Bloody, buggering fu–” she swears as the point of her quill pierces a hole straight through her conclusion. Apt, probably - it had been flimsy at best. There’s a metaphor here, somewhere.

“Revision going well, then?”

The wry voice startles her so much that she nearly upends her bottle of ink all over her weak – in more ways than one – essay. “Fuck, Harry, I’d no idea you were there.”

She blinks up at him in surprise and finds him smirking, standing at the table she’s claimed in a corner of the library, looking adorably entertained by her plight. His bookbag is slung carelessly over his shoulder, his hair mussed, his stupid face made more handsome by the teasing lilt of his smile. Her heart flutters a bit, because that’s just what it always does with him. She ignores it valiantly, and hates him for it, a little. 

“Sorry,” he says, though he sounds more amused than anything. “Mind if I sit?”

“Course,” she says, gesturing to the seat opposite. “Can’t guarantee there won’t be more swearing, though.” 

He eyes her holey essay as he sits, jerking his head questioningly toward the parchment. “What’re you working on?”

“Something for Binns.”

“Ah, I’d be swearing, too.”

“Fucking hell, eh?”

They share a smile, and Ginny reckons she’d be better off writing an essay about that - the way she knows exactly when he’ll find something funny; the way jokes fall a bit flat when the punchline isn’t his eyes seeking her out, green and piercing and flickering with amusement. She’d fill the parchment with ease. 

It’s easy to write about something you can’t stop reading into. 

Just like she’s madly reading into the way he’s shown up here - no Ron, no Hermione - and sought her out, like it’s normal, like they’ve been doing this for years even though they haven’t. It feels like they have, though. That’s the worst part of it.

“What’re you doing here?” she asks, like he might just come right out and say it - to see you.

He doesn’t. She pretends that she can’t be disappointed by what she expects. 

“Transfiguration,” he says darkly. 

“Where’re Ron and Hermione, then?” she prods, picking at it like a scab, like a masochist. I wanted to get you alone, she urges him to say. I’ve been trying to all week and I haven’t even been subtle about it.

“Dunno,” he shrugs. Scabs bleed when you pick them, incidentally. “I can survive an evening without them, you know.”

“Can you? I don’t reckon your track record is all that spectacular on that front, if I’m honest.”

“Hey, I haven’t died even once.”

“Right,” she jokes. “Angling for a new nickname? ‘The Boy Who Hasn’t Died, Even Once’?”

He lets out a soft chuckle. “Rolls right off the tongue, that.”

“I’ll owl Rita for you. We can workshop something”

They smile.

She wants to shake him until he admits to it, confesses, like this thing brewing between them is a crime. She wants to lay all the evidence out in front of him, the aspiring Auror, and see what he makes of it. He can’t quip his way around the smiles and the banter and the looks he gives her. See, she’ll say, don’t you see?

He’s got shit vision. 

They sit together for far longer than she’d planned to stay. At some point he adjusts in his seat, and his foot winds up touching hers, and he doesn’t even have the decency to move it. She fancies she can feel his warmth through their trainers, but no - it must be her own traitorous heart, frantically pumping warm blood to her foot like it’s the only part of her body that needs it, like the parts of her that aren’t touching him have ceased to matter because maybe they have. 

Maybe she’s been distilled to the edge of her foot.

They talk about strategies for the Quidditch final, and OWLs, and argue playfully about which of her mum’s mince pies is the best. Ginny’s always fancied herself good at impressions, but she surprises even herself with her impression of easy nonchalance. All the while it’s building - each look, each smile, each easy joke they set each other up for feels like a firework she’s adding to the heap in her chest, ready to explode with the slightest spark. 

You’ve got me alone, she tells him. Do something about it.

It’s nearly curfew. They start gathering their things, and still he hasn’t done anything. If he were any other boy, Ginny would cut through the bullshit herself, but something holds her back. She can’t fully articulate, unravel, why, but she needs him to be the one to admit it. She needs him to decide she’s worth the risk. He’s meant to be brave, isn’t he?

As she’s packing it away, Ginny remembers her abandoned essay, still punctured pathetically. She sighs, holds it up for Harry’s evaluation. “Think Binns’ll even notice?”

“Give it here,” he says, and she hands it over. He pulls his wand from his robes and waves it wordlessly, the gaping tear sewing itself together so it might never have been there. Ginny doesn’t know why she hadn’t thought to do that herself. 

“Thanks. Only now, I’ve actually got to write a damn conclusion.”

He laughs and holds it back out to her. “You’re on your own.”

“Aren’t you meant to have a hero complex?” she quips, pushing the parchment back toward him. “Some useful saving-people thing? Have a go.”

To her immense surprise, he shoots her a wry smirk that sends a tingle through her stomach. “Alright.” He pulls out the quill he’d only just packed away, scrawls something at the bottom of her parchment, shielding it from view.  

She’s gone utterly daft. Her heart is hammering in her chest, beating a tattoo on her ribcage; she wonders if her fingers are trembling as they reach across to take her essay back, fully convinced she’ll find the words Go out with me scribbled there. 

In conclusion, he’d written, this essay is over.

She snorts, mostly at herself. She’s officially deluded. Cracked. What is wrong with her?

“Wow. Thanks for that,” she says drily. “How would Binns have known otherwise?”

He grins. “Anytime.”

“Totally unrelated, but do you offer refunds? Perhaps a voucher for another Harry Potter rescue at a later date?”

“Non-refundable. Sorry.”

“I’m going to be honest,” she lies. “I expected a better rescue than that.”

He shrugs. “You expect too much from The Boy Who Hasn’t Died, Even Once.”

She can’t help herself; she laughs. His eyes seek hers out - green, so green, twinkling with amusement and something that looks so fond. She’s going to set fire to the heap of fireworks in her chest, just to get it over with. She’ll explode in color, driven to madness by the boy who hadn’t died even once but who’d killed her, slowly, with smiles. 

In conclusion, she thinks, I’m utterly fucked.