#the lighting in the scene is so pale and blue this took forever lmao

[felicitykings]

A hostage? I'm not leaving you here! I'll be fine. And if this is what it's like, I've had a bellyfull of time travel anyway. Go.

THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES (2007-2011) ↳ 2.10 The Temptation of Sarah Jane Smith (Part 2)

[apollosgiftofprophecy]

18, 23?

18. Choose a passage from your writing. Tell me about the backstory of this moment. How you came up with it, how it changed from start to end. Spicy addition: Questioner provides the passage.

Xenoclea — or, well, Gaea within his favored priestess’s body — rose to her feet. Apollo remained in the half-kneeling position he took in his panic to help Xenoclea. She examined the body she possessed.  “Hmm,” the primordial deity hummed, gazing at Xenoclea’s nimble fingers, her bronzed skin. “Rather strange, the body of a mortal. Not at all vast like my own…” she sounded wistful, like she missed the sensation of a physical form.

From my fic Shattered Minds

I just. absolutely loved writing Gaea. Imo, she was done dirty by HoO - a not-at-full-power Kronos took an entire book/war to defeat him, with major losses of beloved characters to boot.

Meanwhile, his mother, the frickin primordial goddess of the Earth itself...died in one chapter. #LetDown

Sadly, I cannot edit HoO, but I can give Gaea the justice she deserves and be the manipulative, savvy queen we all know she is :)

And like. it's not just this specific passaged I liked to write! It's was her whole scene! Xenoclea's sudden possession! Because they're in the Delphic cave, and it used to belong to Gaea! It makes sense that she could possess Xenoclea!

Also just. the creepy factor of Xenoclea being possessed. Marie Levesque's whole deal was creepy for Hazel, and it was creepy for Apollo too! Terrifying, in fact!

Also also! She calls Apollo 'Paion' a lot here! 'Paion' literally means 'helper', and later in the fic, she's like 'heehee, thanks for the help~', and Apollo realizes that he was dupped into helping her agenda! again

Gaea is just. so good at manipulation imo. she can play the loooong game. Shattered Minds is basically where she lays the groundwork for HoO, for her eventual comeback!

SHE IS A CUNNING QUEEN AND DESERVED TO BE A BETTER VILLAIN!

23. Describe the physical environment in which you write. Be as detailed as possible. Tell me what’s around you as you work. Paint me a picture.

Okay, so, this got long lmao XD

pale blue walls. my bed is a mess of green sheets, a black comforter, and a white tiger-print soft blanket. i have four pillows staked on top of each other on my bed, with my gray reading pillow propped up against them. no, i don't sleep with the reading pillow. but yes to the four pillows.

also, many stuffed animals. many. and i have no shame in saying so :)

my bed also functions as a dresser/bookshelf. in the three bookshelf slots are all of my Warrior cat books, as well as many of my Star Wars ones (that i have yet to read oop) and on top of it is a special edition cup i got from a Iowa football game as well as a cup I got from a production of Newsies i saw with my grandma and mom. both hold an assortment of pens/pencils/sharpies/ect.

a mini globe sits up there too, with two dreamcatchers i've had since forever hanging off it. one is from a great-aunt who lives in Connecticut, btw! a couple remotes that i barely use anymore are up there too, as well as the current books I'm reading (The Iliad - also packed with the Odyssey - and the first Hunger Games book). My alarm clock is next, with my blue earbuds nearby, and my blue flashlight is next door. more hairties because i am disorganized. a tissue box (green and blue). another book - Star Wars Allegiance - a mini motivational quote my aunt and uncle got me this past Christmas, and three small LEGO sets - Luke Skywalker on a Tauntaun, Ahsoka V Maul, and Mando & Grogu.

also a new blue-green lamp! :D got it in my stepdad's family white elephant gift exchange (pro tip: put what you want in (don't make it obvious it was you) and then do your damnest to get it. has worked the past 2 years for me.)

my computer sits on a computer stand on my very old white desk. i have a coaster i bought from the Branson Belle Showboat with my special edition Queen Ester cup i got from Branson's Show & Lights Theater. I also have a little trinket from my trip to Branson's Titanic museum - one of those clear, long rectangular things filled with blue liquid? with a little floating Titanic in it? with an iceberg? my ADHD loves that thing. also a quartz necklace i bought in Branson is just lying there.

behind my computer is a picture of my graduation class - 11 kids total, 6 girls, 5 boys. we be small. also, it has a picture of me with my principal getting my diploma.

to my left is my desk lamp, a real skinny black one with like. three modes of light. i have a couple rubber ducks sitting by it - one's the statue of liberty, and the other is a Kansas City Royals duck (I am not a KC Royals fan - cough St. Louis Cardinals 4 Life cough - but i have solidarity with the fellow Missouri team. if the Cards aren't in, and the Royals are, I will root for them.

also i have a little cross-stitch thing i did back in Quarantine by my lamp. it has a couple white and red bead necklaces (you know the ones) wrapped around it so that's how the cross-stitch stays up. also, the flower bracelet i wore to my last Homecoming is still kicking and hanging from the lamp in question. it has a white band, with now-crinkled pale green leaves and white flowers - roses, and i think hydrandea? real small white flowers. real small. tiny.

i also have a small foam airplane i got way back in Freshman year of high school from the nearby aerospace administration. the girls where invited to see what they did and we got some free stuff out of it and the squishy plane was one of them.

(I got to do a bit of welding during that lol)

I also have various other things. my wallet and car keys. a fitbit i still need to hookup to my new phone. a yellow sharpie i use to highlight my school books/notes. a couple hairties (white and black). a black pen. a portable charger i should probably charge before this weekend's vacation. also a pale blue turtle decoration my dad bought me. a pair of green earrings i should put away. a couple Senior photos of myself i still need to mail to my dad and paternal grandpa.

also a paper with all of my future college classes on it that i use to write my grades down on.

i have a 3D model of the Eiffel tower i got when I was 8 and didn't put together until Quarantine XD it's down to the left of my desk. directly next door is my closet, one door is usually open revealing the absolute mess within. on the other side of it is my clothing hamper, where clothes go to be forgotten about for a week until i remember hey, laundry's a thing.

FINALLY. the magnus opus of the room - my bookshelves.

This holds the rest of my precious books, as well as various other things - blank notebooks, school books, jewelry box, my diploma, a small telescope made out of metal from my grandpa way back during my astronomy obsession phase, Cardinals stuff, coloring books, space books, multiple binders, my Bible, picture of my sister, fuzzy orange dice, box of a star wars puzzle i got in last year's gift exchange i have yet to put together (we are focusing on out long-forgotten Busch Stadium one shush), GREEK MYTHOLOGY BOOKS, extra sparkly pillows, and my clarinet case.

on top is my TV with a DVD player (i use it. like....twice...a year?) and MORE LEGO SETS.

i have the death star duel. 301st clone troopers. London, New York, and San Fransico CITY sets. mini Slave I. Luke's X-Wing. TIE-Fighter. Grevious's starship. big Slave I. also, 3-in-1 LEGO set. i can make a car, boat, or bike. it's in car mode rn.

my floor is carpet. kinda a soft brown with specks of black. couple school books are on the floor. couple notebooks. a wite-out. and a black pen.

lastly, on my walls: above and around my desk is a black and white bulletin board with purple ribbon. it is completely covered in old photos, things I got from a school trip to Indianapolis (yes i got to see the inside of the Colts Stadium hehe i was like 'COMMODUS USED THIS IN TDP! :D'), ect ect. I also have a old framed picture saying 'Let's Get Lost' that I wanna move to my bathroom. further to the right is a poster of Big Ben from way back during my London obsession (i wanted to visit someday but now Delphi, Delos, Sparta, Rome, ect ect are top priority lmao).

on the next wall is a Ravenclaw banner i've had since i was seven. a window takes up most of the rest of the space (white trim btw).

next wall i have my sports teams pride hung up :D a pennant each of KC Chief's quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, St. Louis Cardinals, and Boston Celtics.

WARNING: SPORTS GEEKING OUT AHEAD

and no. i am not a bandwagon. 4th gen Cardinal fan. my paternal great-grandpa chose the Cardinals (idk the story behind it i will have to ask my grandpa).

I was BORN and RAISED on these teams. I was raised on the tales of backflip-boss Ozzie Smith, the Man the Myth the Legend himself. I HAVE HIS BASEBALL CARD! I STILL HAVE MY MATT HOLIDAY JERSERY WHEN HE USED TO PLAY! I HAVE AN ADAM WAINWRIGHT BASEBALL! AND A HOLIDAY ONE (i am his biggest fan)! I AM IN MOURNING WITH THE REST OF THE FANS FOR YADI'S FINAL YEAR. I CHEERED WHEN PUJOLS RETURNED HOME AND HIT 700 HOME RUNS.

I. WAS. RAISED. ON. THE. DUO. OF. YADIER. MOLINA. AND. ADAM. WRAIN. WRIGHT.

i still have a Matt Carpenter poster. i remember Matt Adams playing first base. I remember Goldschmidt & David Freeze, who received a standing ovation from Busch Stadium when he came up to bat for the Pirates because We Loved Him.

I am determined to get a Tommy Edman jersery. he can hit homers with the right and left AND steal bases.

I am also a 3rd gen Chiefs fan. my paternal grandpa chose the Chiefs when they SUCKED and he is LIVING THE LIFE now that they are back in business <3 I watched the famed Super Bowl Win after a 50-year drought. My family was going nuts in my living room. so nuts my aunt accidently pulled her Achilles's tendon 🫢 dw she's alright now we got a little crazy that night it was INTENSE

I was not able to wear my Chiefs jersery to school the next day (dresscodes eyeroll) but I did wear the reddest sweatshirt i could find, my Chiefs necklace, and a hairtie decorated with red and white ribbons from my middle school volleyball season.

I had a shit-eating grin on the whole day. Everyone knew I was the winner <3 Also pretty sure I was the only Chiefs fan in the high school then. It was an exhilarating feeling <3

(Sidenote: The Kelce Bowl was a 10/10 too lol)

(sidenote sidenote: AFC Championship is this Sunday AHHHHH! We'll be playing the Ravens. i had a classmate who was a Ravens fan. he was supremely annoying. i wanna see them lose. :) to every other Ravens fan out there, sorry but he was that annoying. also racist. and homophobic. and sexist. so. you understand why i want the Ravens to lose to spite him.)

and I became a Celtics fan when I was seven. because my stepdad is one as is my great-uncle/godfather. Larry Bird is The GOAT and #GoCelticsTonight

quench that Heat. :)

END OF SPORTS GEEKING OUT

i want to put up the Hawkeye pennant i have too but haven't gotten around to it. it'll go below the Cardinals one because they are the smallest ones.

and finally, in the small wallspace between my door and my closet, above my hamper, is a small, rectangle picture frame of Patrick Mahomes (yes, again. he is that good.) with his surname printed across it. i bought it during my first trip to Kansas City and first Chiefs game (it was against the Chargers. very good game. we beat them :D sorry any Chargers fans I am a very happy Chiefs fan <3)

welcome to my room lmao it is a humble collection of my past and present obsessions, and my hyped-up love of my teams <3

[laws-yellow-submarine]

🌠Shooting Stars🌠

An entry for the One Piece Summer challenge!

Law x Reader

Prompt: Stargazing Word Count: 1.6k

Synopsis: While travelling on the Polar Tang, you don't usually stay afloat for long. However, a starry night is too tempting...

♡

Summer.

Does it really matter?

Your head prompted on your palm, you were lost in the vagueness of the ocean. It was one of the few days that the Polar Tang would stay afloat in the middle of the sea. Actually, tonight, was a special night; the sky was a dark canvas painted with falling stars, decorated with brushstrokes of unmethodical, colourful patterns and dancing spots everywhere.

Even the air, it brought the salty aroma on deck, filling your lungs with it and cheering you up. You would never get used to it... and it was always such a pain to let it out of your system...

Travelling in a submarine had forever been quite depressing. The empty spaces were blocking any source of light from entering, therefore transforming themselves into a cloistered prison. You felt so cooped up sometimes, like a caged bird. Not even the palliative company of your nakama could alleviate the gloomy mood that was slowly eating you away.

Every single time you disappeared into the depths of  the bottomless sea, it was as if the time froze. There was no morning, noon, nor afternoon. There was no spring, summer, autumn, nor winter. There was only the black of night.

Unlit and shadowy, it swallowed everything in its wake, you included.

You had always lived in the open air, enjoyed the blessings of nature, the warmth of the sun caressing your body and somehow driving all your preoccupations away. That's the very reason you became a pirate, to begin with.

If it weren't for those silver eyes, you wouldn't be here. Trafalgar Law, the Surgeon of Death, had managed to get his hands gripped around your heart, squeezing for all they were worth, leaving you aching with longing and a breath stuck in your throat. You knew he was no good but, there was something in him... something... hypnotising, that you simply couldn't ignore.

Even though the feeling of drowning in the blackness between the walls had been torturing you ever since you begun your journey, the mysterious glimmer in his look dragged you out of your fear and anguish. He was always by your side, in his own way.

A great Captain, indeed.

Yet, you couldn't omit the fact that something was seriously troubling him the past few weeks. He always had a tendency to isolate himself in his cabin, reading books and making research on medical grounds -- his muttering jargon under his breath confirming that -- but he didn't use to be that distant.

Especially tonight, when the scenery above you was remarkable to the point where one could literally gawk with their mouth hanging open. He would never miss a rain of falling stars.

"They remind of someone... special." he would always say.

You wanted to ask him, delve deeper into his obscure past, yet, he was too reserved. He kept his feelings and thoughts to himself, you highly doubt he could trust even his first mate. However, it was evident in his indolent eyes, an agony, a tremendous feeling, deeply rooted in his soul.

That you could tell, for the eyes are the window to the soul... And this man's eyes... they held many sorrowful secrets...

What with all this thoughts swirling around your head, you lost your grip on the reality, so you never noticed the lovable white bear of the crew standing next to you.

Bepo.

You never understood why he would want to become a pirate and leave his life in the Mokomo Dukedom behind, a place fraught with peace-loving, cheerful creatures. Maybe he was curious to see what was beyond that land.

Come to think of it, the entire crew is quite absurd.

But I love them anyways.

The way the salty breeze messed with his fur was making him look even more adorable.

"Aren't those stars beautiful?" he asked, breaking the awkward silence.

"Yes, they are."

The previous silence took over once again, until...

"Uh, Bepo... Do you know where the Captain is? I mean..." you tried to sound as indifferent as possible, "...he never misses this."

You saw no reaction for some seconds.

"He was working in his cabin... I guess he'll come soon..."

A voiceless nod of agreement and then you were sinking in your thoughts anew.

*

*

*

You didn't have the foggiest idea how long you had been staring at the starry horizon. The moon seemed gigantic now, the only embellishment that begged to differ in that symmetry of white and black.

Bepo had departed some minutes ago, because he couldn't stare at the full moon for too long, as he couldn't control his Sulong form completely.

So, for the moment, you were standing alone behind the railing of the submarine, admiring the view and the expansion of dark blue stretching in front of you. It was so relaxing, you couldn't get enough of it.

Until a certain tattooed hand was placed on your shoulder.

"Oi, (Y/n)."

You turned to face the long awaited raven-haired pirate.

"Yes, Captain?"

His touch immediately abandoned you and his grey eyes narrowed. "How many times do I have to tell you? You don't have to call me captain. Just call me Law."

You tried to look away, but he was pinning you with his intense and demanding look. You couldn't help but simply nod to avoid any more of... this.

I could easily drown in these pools of silver...

He stood beside you, supporting himself on the railing while he took an eyeful of the scene ahead. At first, you didn't pay too much attention to him but tried to focus elsewhere. You didn't manage to stay like that for long, though.

You took glances of your captain now and then, curious to witness all his reactions to this boon. You saw his grey orbs meeting the pale one in the sky and glowing in delight, then a weak smile bending his lips.

He looked at the moon as if it was a person; a person he held dear.

"Law."

He averted his star-kissed gaze slowly, reluctantly, until it locked with yours. "Yes?"

"That special someone you had told me about... do you want to talk about them?" you asked timidly, eyeing him expectantly, albeit you practically knew you'd get  negative answer.

"It's a very old and long story."

Is he actually going to talk about it?!

He paused for some good moments, making you reasonably think that he had no intention of giving more details, but... he had.

He didn't exactly give you chapter and verse of his backstory, but he explained how he lost his entire family and hometown due to Amber Lead Syndrome, how he ended up in the Donquixote Pirates, how the noble and kind Cora-san sacrificed himself to save him....

You always sensed he'd got a dark background but, that was just too dark. How could a child possibly endure all this losses and trauma at once?

However, he never ceased his recounting. He went on, revealed more about his experiences, his life. Until, a shocking exposure was made and pretty much explained everything.

The Will of D.

He, Trafalgar Law, was carrying the tremendous Will of D. Well, that pretty much accounted for everything.

"But why are you telling me all this?"

He shifted, his grey eyes boring into yours in a vertiginous labyrinth.

"I'll be leaving soon." he replied, his tone colder than before.

"What?! Why?!"

"I need to take care of certain things... and now that we are in the New World... you know that we either go against or ally with the Emperors..."

"And whose side are we on?" you enquired, still struggling to process all these information.

"It's too early for you to know..." he grabbed you by your shoulders, gazing fiercely at you, "...but you needn't worry..." he said, his voice softening as well as his sharp features.

A hefty sigh escaped from your lips, before you glanced at the stars. You were fixated there, observing them make their steady descent, leaving trails of glimmering starlight behind.

"Do you want to make a wish?"

Law's frown was followed by a chuckle. "Isn't that too childish?"

"No, come on! The shooting stars don't stay for long!"

He closed his eyes in defeat, probably wishing for something. His hands hadn't abandoned your shoulders, not even then. You waited patiently for the moment his steel grey gaze met yours and you almost melted on the spot.

"What did you wish for?"

"I can't tell you..." he reminded you, his lips stretching into a mischievous smile.

Right.

"...but I can show you." was all he said, before his soft lips landed on yours.

Taken by surprise, could be an understatement. It felt so surreal, it gave you the impression you were hallucinating. It was all slow and passionate, with the dull light of the stars showering you, the low splash of the waves resonating and the slight rocking of the Polar Tang dolling it all up.

Hell, even the scratching of his goatee against your glabrous chin was alluring. You were swimming in a pool of bliss by now, unable and unwilling to get out. You knew it wasn't going to last long yet, you flung yourself into it. You were only a couple of hours away from being trapped in that cage of darkness again, but now you didn't seem to care.

Now you knew.

Summer matters.

Because I'm the summer to his winter heart.

~End~

----- OMG this was so cute <3 Law, shooting stars, and kissing are like...three of my favorite things lmao “I can’t tell you...but I can show you” GAH! I died, my face has been squished in happiness, and I’m still squealing. Great job, hun!! 

@doctorgerth​ 

[twoidiotwriters1]

Written In The Stars XVII (Harry Potter xF!Oc)

A/N: One last chapter before book one ends!! That was fast lmao

Words: 2,266

Warnings: Fight scenes, abusive behavior ig

Series’ Masterlist

Previous chapter // Next chapter

Chapter Seventeen: A Dark Revelation.

"What's that at its feet?" Hermione whispered.

"Looks like a harp," said Ron. "Snape must have left it there."

"It must wake up the moment you stop playing," said Harry, "Well, here goes ..."

They were about to enter the trapdoor, Harry had the flute Hagrid gave him on Christmas -Mel thought that was very clever- and played it until the dog fell asleep. Ron informed them that the only way to get in was by just jumping. Of course, Harry went first.

He handed the flute to Hermione and got inside until he was barely holding himself with the tip of his fingers.

"If anything happens to me, don't follow. Go straight to the owlery and send Hedwig to Dumbledore, right?"

"Right," said Ron.

"See you in a minute, I hope..."

He jumped, and part of Mel's stomach dropped too as she watched him disappear into the darkness.

A muffled thump got to their ears, they waited.

"It's OK! It's a soft landing, you can jump!"

Mel moved Ron aside and jumped without hesitation.

"Oof!" She grunted, touching her surroundings, "What's this?"

Ron fell between them, mimicking her actions.

"What's this stuff?"

"Dunno, sort of plant thing. I suppose it's here to break the fall. Come on, Hermione!" Harry urged.

Hermione jumped. Mel's eyes were getting accustomed to the darkness when she felt the roots of the plant slowly creeping up her legs, only then she recognized the plant.

"Oh no," She gulped, trying to kick it out but only worsening her situation.

"Stop moving!" Hermione ordered them. "I know what this is – it's Devil's Snare!"

"Oh, I'm so glad we know what it's called, that's a great help," snarled Ron.

"Shut up, I'm trying to remember how to kill it!" said Hermione.

Mel thought deeply, she knew the answer! She spent a whole week studying it!

"Well, hurry up, I can't breathe!" Harry gasped, wrestling as it curled around his chest.

"Light!" Mel yelled, but her voice was muffled out because the plant was now starting to cover her mouth.

"Devil's Snare, Devil's Snare ... What did Professor Sprout say? It likes the dark and the damp –"

"So light a fire!" Harry choked.

"Yes – of course – but there's no wood!" Hermione cried, wringing her hands.

"HAVE YOU GONE MAD?" Ron bellowed. "ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?"

"Oh, right!" said Hermione, and conjured a blue fire.

The kicked the plant and pushed it away, standing up.

"Lucky you pay attention in Herbology, Hermione," said Harry.

Mel only felt a tad jealous after hearing his compliment.

"Yeah," said Ron, "and lucky Harry doesn't lose his head in a crisis – there's no wood, honestly."

"There's no time to argue," Mel moved.

"This way," said Harry pointing down a stone passageway.

The second room had winged keys, from the thousands flying above them, only one could open the door to the next room. They grabbed four broomsticks that were laying next to the wall and prepared for what was next.

They tried to catch as many keys as possible in order to try them on the handle, but it wasn't necessary, after a minute in the air Harry shouted:

"That one! That big one – there – no, there – with bright blue wings – the feathers are all crumpled on one side."

After a failed attempt by Ron, Harry distributed his friends around the room: Ron above, Hermione under, Mel and him circling around the key.

"NOW!"

The children moved at the same time, Mel made sure to get in the way of the key without making it harder for Harry, forcing it towards a wall, where eventually Harry pinned it.

They landed, the boy turned the key and opened the door, at first it was just as dark as the last, but then lights went on, revealing a huge chessboard.

"Now what do we do?" Harry whispered.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" said Ron. "We've got to play our way across the room."

Behind the white pieces, they could see a door.

"How?" said Hermione.

"I think," said Ron, "we're going to have to be chessmen."

He walked up to a black knight and put his hand out to touch the knight's horse. At once, the stone sprang to life. The horse pawed the ground and the knight turned his helmeted head to look down at Ron.

"Do we – er – have to join you to get across?"

The black knight nodded. Ron turned to them.

"This wants thinking about... I suppose we've got to take the place of four of the black pieces... Now, don't be offended or anything, but you are not that good at chess –"

"We're not offended," said Harry quickly. "Just tell us what to do."

"We could die, it's better if we listen to someone who knows," Mel agreed.

"Well, Harry, you take the place of that bishop, and Hermione, you go there instead of that castle. Mel, you stand there as pawn."

"What about you?"

"I'm going to be a knight," said Ron.

While they were talking, the pieces Ron had mentioned left their place for them, they could start playing.

In years to come, Mel would think about that moment and still feel extremely impressed with Ron's skills, he thought every move and saved them from getting hurt several times. They were winning!

Until...

"Yes..." said Ron softly, "it's the only way... I've got to be taken."

"NO!" They shouted.

"That's chess!" snapped Ron. "You've got to make some sacrifices! I'll make my move and she'll take me – that leaves you free to checkmate the king, Harry!"

"But –"

"Do you want to stop Snape or not?"

"Ron –"

"Look, if you don't hurry up, he'll already have the Stone!"

There was nothing else to say.

"Ready?" Ron called, his face pale but determined. "Here I go –now, don't hang around once you've won." Ron was right.

He was also unconscious in the corner of the room. The kids passed next to his body, Mel felt desperate to finish the whole thing, they couldn't waste more time.

"What if he's –?"

"He'll be all right," said Harry, "What do you reckon's next?"

"We've had Sprout's, that was the Devil's Snare – Flitwick must've put charms on the keys – McGonagall transfigured the chessmen to make them alive – that leaves Quirrell's spell, and Snape's ..."

"If Snape didn't take it down already," Mel added.

"All right?" Harry whispered.

"Go on." And Harry opened the door.

It was a troll.

Luckily for them, he was already on the floor. Mel couldn't tell if he was still alive, but they didn't stick around enough to find out.

"I'm glad we didn't have to fight that one," Harry whispered, "Come on, I can't breathe."

He pulled open the next door.

"Snape's," said Harry, examining the little bottles in front of them, "What do we have to do?"

"Look!" Hermione seized a roll of paper lying next to the bottles. They looked over her shoulder to read it, "Brilliant. This isn't magic – it's logic – a puzzle. A lot of the greatest wizards haven't got an ounce of logic, they'd be stuck in here forever."

"But so will we, won't we?"

"Of course not," said Hermione. "Everything we need is here on this paper. Seven bottles: three are poison; two are wine; one will get us safely through the black fire and one will get us back through the purple."

"But how do we know which to drink?"

"Give me a minute," They waited as she muttered to herself, pointing at the bottles and walking from one side to the other, "Got it! The smallest bottle will get us through the black fire – towards the Stone."

"There's only enough there for one of us, two at most," he said.

"Which one will get you back through the purple flames?" Hermione pointed at a rounded bottle at the right end of the line.

"You and Mel drink that," said Harry. "No, listen – get back and get Ron – grab brooms from the flying-key room, they'll get you out of the trapdoor and past Fluffy – go straight to the owlery and send Hedwig to Dumbledore, we need him. I might be able to hold Snape off for a while, but I'm no match for him really."

"But Harry – what if You-Know-Who's with him?"

"Well – I was lucky once, wasn't I?" said Harry, pointing at his scar. "I might get lucky again."

"I'm not leaving," Mel frowned, "you're out of your mind if you think I'm leaving you behind."

Before Harry could reply, Hermione threw herself at him.

"Hermione!"

"Harry – you're a great wizard, you know."

"I'm not as good as you," said Harry, he was bright red.

"Me!" said Hermione. "Books! And cleverness! There are more important things – friendship and bravery and – oh Harry – be careful!"

"You drink first," said Harry. "You are sure which is which, aren't you?"

"Positive," said Hermione.

She took a long drink from the round bottle at the end and shuddered.

"It's not poison?" said Harry anxiously.

"No – but it's like ice."

"Quick, go, before it wears off. Mel, you drink it as well and I'll meet you in a while"

"Good luck – take care –"

"GO!"

He turned around before Mel. When he grabbed the tiny bottle, Mel snatched it from his hands and drank half of the liquid in it.

"Mel!" Harry gasped, "No!"

"I don't like you when you get bossy," She replied, giving back the bottle, "did you really believe I would let you go alone?"

"That's what I told you to do!"

"You don't tell me what to do!" Mel replied just as angry, "I intend to keep my promise!"

"Your promise won't matter if you die!" He yelled.

"Ron said it before, we must take risks, we have to sacrifice things to save others..." She huffed, "Glasses, there's no point. I took the potion and now you have to do it."

"I'll wait until yours wears off."

"You'd be wasting time that can't be wasted," She offered her hand, "I know you'll forgive me"

Harry hesitated, in the end, he drank what was left in the bottle and shivered terribly.

"You're annoying," He gulped, "how did you drink that? It's like ice!"

He reached for her hand and took it.

"I know," Mel said with a guilty smile, "I just wanted you to think it wasn't so I could see your face when you drank it"

Harry glared at her and moved forward, Mel following close.

The flames engulfed them, but she barely felt a thing.

When they entered, she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"You!" Harry yelled at Quirrell.

"Me. I wondered whether I'd be meeting you here, Potter," He threw a disinterest glance at Mel, "you certainly are a surprise..."

"But I thought – Snape –"

"Severus?' Quirrell laughed, "Yes, Severus does seem the type, doesn't he? So useful to have him swooping around like an overgrown bat. Next to him, who would suspect p-p-poor st- stuttering P-Professor Quirrell?"

"But Snape tried to kill me!"

"No, no, no. I tried to kill you. Your friend Miss Granger accidentally knocked me over as she rushed to set fire to Snape at that Quidditch match. She broke my eye contact with you. Another few seconds and I'd have got you off that broom. I'd have managed it before then if Snape hadn't been muttering a counter-curse, trying to save you."

"Snape was trying to save me?"

"Of course. Why do you think he wanted to referee your next match? He was trying to make sure I didn't do it again. Funny, really ... he needn't have bothered. I couldn't do anything with Dumbledore watching. All the other teachers thought Snape was trying to stop Gryffindor winning, he did make himself unpopular ... and what a waste of time, when after all that, I'm going to kill you tonight."

"No!" Mel, out of pure impulsiveness, grabbed Harry and pushed him behind her.

She was scared. That's why, later when people asked her what had happened, she couldn't explain.

It was as if something had gotten into her, or out of her as she stood in front of Quirrell. All her fear cast out as a defense mechanism, a wave of something hitting Quirrell and sending him to the other end of the room.

Quirrell found himself on the floor, confused and looking at her with more interest. Mel was exhausted, that wave had drained all her energy, she was barely able to stand.

"That," Quirrell whispered furiously as he stood up, "was a very bad idea, Miss Dumbledore"

It was too much for her body.

"I should get rid of you before you cause more trouble with your little tricks..."

"No!" Exclaimed Harry, but it was too late.

Quirrell raised his hand and Mel felt an invisible hand closing tightly around her throat, lifting her inches from the ground, then feet... then he moved his fist and slammed her against a wall.

The last thing she heard before everything went black was a loud crack on the back of her head.

Next Chapter —>

Taglist.

@vampiregirl1797 @tiphareth2018 @siriuslysirius1107  @celestialhayi @omiwashere 

[naddpodrawings]

Here’s some digital art practice with the NADDPOD guest player characters! My headcanons for them have actually changed a little since I started this, but they’re still pretty close! I’m much more used to traditional art, so this was really fun but took me forever, lmao. (The username for the tiny watermark is my main acc name)

Feel free to send me requests!

Ridiculously long ID under the cut!

[ID: A digital drawing of Deadeye, Stunkbug, Apple, Tonathan, and Mavrus. They are all shown from the waist up on the same canvas, but not interacting in a scene.

Deadeye, at the top left, is an elf with with skin that is half unsettlingly pale and half light green- the green side being somewhat decomposed with a hole in his cheek. The eye on that side is a bright green, while the eye on the pale side is just pupil. His hair is white with blue tints, and it is wavy and shoulder length. He wears a grey button up shirt, a black jacket, and a black cowboy hat. He looks forward, annoyed.

Stunkbug, at the top right, is an orc with dark green skin, and long black hair pulled into a high ponytail, as well as dark facial hair. He has pointed ears with gold piercings, which match lapel pins on his white button up. He wears a dark purple blazer over his shirt. His mouth is open, showing pointed bottom teeth, as he looks down, upset.

Apple, in the center, is a muscular elf with tan skin and light freckles. Her long ears curve inwards at the ends, like a bull’s horns. Her dirty blond hair is pulled into two braids, one side longer that the other. She wears denim overalls over a black sleeveless turtleneck. One of her eyes is blue, and the other is green. She looks directly at the camera, seemingly pissed off and complaining.

Tonathan, in the lower left, is a gnome with pale skin and ginger hair, which is short and wavy, and blends into his fluffy beard. He is wearing large circular glasses, a white blouse, and a purple cloak. His large, mouse-like ears are pierced, and he wears multiple necklaces. His tail is raised behind him. His third eye glows in many colors. He looks off to the side, worried.

Mavrus, in the lower right, is a tiefling with light red skin. His wavy hair is black and shoulder length, and is slightly covered by his maroon horns that curve against his head. He has a multitude of piercings, including his ears, horns, eyebrow, and nose. He wears a yellow mesh jersey that has been cut into a v-neck crop top over a crimson robe. His pointed tail is raised behind him. He has pointed teeth and yellow eyes with slitted pupils. He looks forward and up, smirking. End ID.]

[stupidheadclub]

hello time for a dream talk, so I was goin to bed and I remembered my horrible nightmare from last night so enjoy (tw: gore-ish, blood and bruises mentioned, abuse tw i guess ? (it's like brutal murder) basically read at ur own risk bc I'm pretty sure it's one of my worst nightmares to date)

I was at this park and I'm gonna set the scene for yall, so it was literally the most perfect blue sky and green grass and trees and fresh air and it was the perfect day, now imagine a playground that's shaped like an "L", at one end of the "L" there was a ladder and the other a huge slide, and of course a cute little"L"-shaped deck connecting the two. I was me but with a little kid personality (so basically just me lmao) so me and a bunch of other kids were running around and it was like a loop of just up the ladder, across the deck, down the slide, and repeat. and all the kids were RUNNING so we were really going and all of a sudden the cops and this crying mom show up and make everyone stop and we're all standing there on the grass watching the cops climb up and for some reason I have a boyfriend who was really just a girl with short hair (like she was a girl and identified as a girl but for some reason she was a boy idk) and they thought that he committed the crime and him and I were both like "what crime???" and they took us both up and when we got there they were taking off some of the wooden decking and revealed this lifeless body of a young boy named Peter and he was covered head to toe in bruises and cuts and has blood oozing from his head and his skin had turned greenish-purple and just he was dead and you knew it was either a serial killer or someone who really hated this 6-year-old boy. so the cops take my boyfriend down and handcuff him and tell the mom "don't worry we caught him" and I'm sitting there like "wtf just happened....." and I KNOW my boyfriend is innocent so obviously as the protagonist in my story I set out to find the killer and so once night comes I climb up into Peter's window of his old bedroom and start looking for clues and of course something falls over and crashed and I'm like "well, shit" and dangle myself outside of his window as I hear his mom approaching and I'm hanging there with my heart in my throat and suddenly I feel something sharp hit my hand and I look up to see a claw, follow the claw up and guess who it is? Peter's mom as a demon with claws and black eyes ! and like it doesn't sound awful yet but trust me her face will forever haunt me because she had wild black hair and pale purple skin and an evil smile and she literally just pushed me off the ledge I was on with one flick and suddenly I was plummeting through a black hole and I landed on a pile of corpses of all the children I was playing with and Peter was there and his corpse was like "so glad you could join us" and I started getting pulled apart by all the dead zombified children who wanted bits of my light as a living person and they were ripping off my actual skin and my hair and it was horrific and then I woke up so yay that was my dream last night