#the way he talks to hannah.... i've never known hate like this

[lesbianlotties]

thinking about mike flanagan series and villains and sure, bev keane should probably take the crown for worst person ever, but my god the hate i feel for peter quint is unparalleled

[vsnotresponding]

1 for Ely! And anyone else you wanna talk about!

Also 14 I know you have aroace characters, but tell me more about how they perceive their aroaceness since it’s such a wide spectrum. Any character of your choosing for this one :)

questions from this pride ask game

hi lyn!!

1. What's your oc's gender identity? What's their relationship to their gender?

Ely uses they/them pronouns, but doesn't mind being addressed by male terms (they are called Death prince, for example) (in a modern au they'd use the non binary label). Their relationship with their gender is very tricky, and is part of the plot.

Since forever they've known they aren't a girl, or a boy, and were most content when addressed with gender-neutral terms like kid or child. being perceived as female made them extremely uncomfortable, which made them avoid contact with everyone if they could. in their head, they were always just Ely (i've made a note to only address them as such until they get to the point where they master Sorrow and truly become a *them*).

thing is, after they die, they both resent and try to forget the person they were. they hate that teen. they killed her. she can't be mourned because she was never there. but that's just not true (it's also the reason there's a plot lol). she might not be them, but she's a part of who they are.

everything's very gender with them, and mostly based on my own gender fuckery :]

14. Do you have ocs on the aro or ace spectrum?

oh boi do I:

ngl, i have a feeling all my pov and mc characters will have touches of the spectrum as i write them, , because i'm aroace and i *struggle* with writing these things.

there's tho, the Canon Ace/Aro ocs my beloveds

I Will Go In Depth About All Of Them. Because I Can

Púlsar:

Karma: demiace. very bad with touching other people in any way unless he really really trusts them (there's a bit of his autism in here too). struggles with aesthetic attraction (he really doesn't notice poor man). would like to be cuddled tho. is also very clueless about his identity. he knows he hasn't liked anyone like, ever, and it takes him literal years to realize he likes ira. so. again, poor man. i love him

Níniam: very ace. again, doesn't think much about these things so he's not very aware either (talking about an older Níniam btw)

Hamza: greyace, has only been attracted to The One Dude ever. again, very chill with it.

Bean: ace, but with a powerful aesthetic attraction. women pretty. (again talking about older Bean)

Ira: ace. is able to recognize when someone is aesthetically pretty but it doesn't do much for her. she's a very touchy person, but i don't think she'd be sex favorable. leaning towards neutral-negative, ngl.

she has a complicated relationship with love. she either hates you, dislikes you (most people), tolerates you, tolerates you but will call you friend because social conventions, or loves you. that's the only distinction she makes. she's aware she loves people in different ways, but they are unique for every person she does, so there's not like, a clear difference she can explain. i don't use the aro label for her, and i don't think she would either.

UP:

Hannah: aroace. incidentally, her colors are purple and green. yeah, she finds the people that approach her annoying and has no interest in romantic or sexual relationships. they are at peace with it, ngl. also she has enough with the messes lyric gets into and with patting akira on the back when lyric keeps not realizing his best friend is in love with him (she's very tired of the allos).

CV:

Médiel: aro. as a teen she realized she was never going to fall in love, and her immediate reaction was that it was another gadget in her arsenal to infiltrate la Corte. fake dating but the other party doesn't know it's fake. as for her sexuality, i'd say if you are hot she'd fuck you.

TFB:

Arion: aroace. also 7 years old in canon. but yeah, as a grown up he'd be that. he's also very autistic (i think his sexual identity is very tied to that, unlike with karma where i think it isn't as much).

Chimera: aro. no idea what his sexuality is ngl. he's just vibing, man, bringing his little brother into adventures with folk people in the forest.

[the-chronicles-of-a-bookworm]

hi Hannah!! I'm slightly late but 🤷‍♀️

(for the nosy ask thing)

13, 14, 15, 16, 18 (only if you're comfy tho), 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 44

(I'm a super nosy person so)

I noticed your nosiness last time I had a last game! My hands were so tired after typing 😭 im not complaining tho THIS IS SO FUNN

13: biggest turn ons Nice hands. A professional speaking voice. Perfect grammar. Someone who doesn't curse, whispering some curse word under their breath. Like "fuck" really quietly that almost no one would hear. Someone who can genuinely make me laugh. Stupid, witty banter (like percy and annabeth before and after they started dating). A nice smile. WOAH WOAH WOAH STOP HANNAH STOP

14: Biggest turn offs Inflated ego. Insulting people for just existing (like james did to snape) Dishonesty. LITTERING. Being rude. LITTERING. Being really shabby or unhygienic. Someone who makes a mess when eating. Someone who doesn't use cutlery in the appropriate situations (i mean, im indian. we practically invented eating with our hands, but I use cutlery when its appropriate okay? I don't attack my rice of something with my hands in formal situations.) Did I mention littering?

15: Favorite Movie (answered here) but I also want a malayalam movie "Ennum Ninde Moideen" ITS SO GOOD

16: I'll love you if... (tbh I already love you <3) BUT YOU SHOULD READ PERCY JACKSON IF YOU ALREADY HAVEN'T (idk if this counts as an answer tho *sobs*)

JUST A WARNING: THE FOLLOWING QUESTION HAS TRIGERRING STUFF LIKE RAPE, FAMILY STUFF, AND SHITTY FAMILY MEMBERS, SO DONT READ IF YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE This is the first time I've ever talked about this to anyone. I don't ever talk about stuff like this, but I think it's time I open up a little.

18: Traumatic Experience When I was 12, I noticed that my grandfather was being a little too touchy. Whenever he got the chance, he would find a way to touch me and make me uncomfortable. I thought this was normal for grandparents to do. I'd known him my whole life. I trusted him, loved him, told him everything. Until he started calling me into his bedroom. Started telling me to undress myself. Started telling me let him "check" my privates to see if there is any problem. For a while, I let him. I let him touch me. Why would he do anything to harm me? I always thought. It got a little too much. Too much that I started screaming for help. I thought, somebody, anybody would help me. Because I knew a grandparent wouldn't do this. I knew this was wrong. And once it all settled, and my parents sorted it out. I was guilty. I blamed myself. I kept thinking "How many time has your mother told you about people touching you. How many times?". And as I was sitting there, I could hear my mother literally wailing. She was screaming. My father and uncle knew about this as well. I had never seen them this angry before. The worst part? We could do fucking nothing. My grandfather was the only reason we could stay in our apartment. It was a hard time and we were struggling with money. My grandmother was facing depression. Her mental state so bad, that I knew she couldn't know about this. My grandfather got away, scotch free. Every time I see him, I think about telling my grandmother. The man she fusses over everyday is not who she thinks he is. But I couldn't. My aunt went into denial. She kept saying that her father wouldn't do such a thing. No one else knew. Whenever I see him, I go into a state where I feel ants all over my body. It goes after a while, but it always stays. (It's a lot to consume. But it felt good to let it all out)

19: A fact about your personality I can get angry easily, and once you've done that I can get so damn scary. My aunt told me that, after she saw me and my brother fight with eachother once, when he broke my laptop.

20: What I hate most about myself I'm ugly.

21: What I love about myself I'm actually pretty smart. It may sound really egoistical, hence why I don't like answering this question, but I know I'm smart. That's why I keep trying to achieve more, you know?

22: What I want to be when I grow older? Oncologist or gynecologist surgeon. Once I retire from actually working in the medical field, I'll be a professor for a medical school.

25: My idea of a perfect date Something at home. Maybe napping a little, eating takeout, watching a movie, listening to music. If we're going out, I want to go to some amusement park. or some 24/7 grocery store. Or McDonalds.

26: Biggest pet peeves Someone chewing with their mouth open. Scraping your plate WITH A METAL FORK. PLEASE FOR GOD'S SAKE STOP. Chewing gum loudly. Not covering their coughs and sneezes. "You act so gayyy" UGH SO ANNOYING I KNOW I ACT GAY OKAY?

28: A description of the people I hate most

44: A random fact DID YOU KNOW THAT A PIG CANNOT PHYSICALLY LOOK UP TO SEE THE SKY? DID YOU KNOW A SHRIMP'S HEART IS IN ITS HEAD? DID YOU KNOW SOME PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY REALLY STUPID SOMETIMES?

[hacked-by-jake]

So, I have this thing that I'm never going to fully write so I will share the basics with you here 🙃

_Scenario_

The moment Jake told MC the FBI were the ones pursuing him something shifted inside of them. Not only because it had to do with the deepest secret they had, but because it may be their fault Jake, the person they fell in love with, was in this tricky situation.

MC, former member of the FBI, also a "computer genius" as they called them, a life that was supposed to be left behind them, now it's staring them in the face in the worst possible way. If Jake was the one that infiltrated their system all those years ago then it was their fault he's still being pursued, as they are the person that started all of this, just before they decided it was too much and left the organization, with a possibility of coming back, a possibility they never considered... until now.

Jake was trapped in that mine, FBI agents all over the place, there was no way he would be able to escape that, and it was, again, their fault, because Jake just did that so they wouldn't be in danger, and now he was in the worst possible situation.

So, they made a choice, a choice that would make them lose the only person they ever cared about, but then again, if it would mean Jake would potentially be free, it would be worth it, didn't even need to second guess. MC's mind was made up. They would save Jake even if it would mean lose their own freedom.

-

They sent a quick message and went on their way.

It was impossible to miss, full of poloce cars, helicopters, all those blinking lights on the distance, made MC's insides turn, they hated this, but it was something that needed to be done, and they were determined to do so.

As they got there a familiar face got close to them

"Why are you here kid?" Asked the chief when he was close enough to be heard.

"I've been monitoring everything since I left, and I figured I should be present to, finish what I started in a way" lied MC, it never even crossed their mind to get back into that business of them, but Jake needed them, and that was the best answer for what was going to come.

"I'm glad you still have that sense of responsibility, come, that hacker free days are numbered, not even days, hours" MC flinched at the thought, thankfully chief didn't notice or just didn't care.

Some time passed, MC heard of Hannah being close, but they had nothing to do with her, as far as the agents known, so getting close to her would be too suspicious, then they saw, how some of the agents were dragging someone from the mine, it wasn't Richy so that only means one thing. Jake was unable to escape, they got him.

Never have MC been more grateful of their past in that organization where none of the memories where pleasant, but this time they would be able to do good, for a change.

They were terrified of Jake's reaction, but hopefully they would be able to explain, so he wouldn't think they betrayed him in any way, but given the circumstances, that was unlikely. At least, after hours of discussion with the "big heads" of the organization they were able to reach a settlement in exchange for Jake's freedom, sort of, but that's something MC and Jake needed to discuss in private. Assuming he'll be willing to talk to them.. and to trust them again.

So they set the pace to Jake's cell, hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.

(This was half of the draft I have, not even the slightest bit edited, hopefully it made sense? 😅 I just thought it was sad that it will never see the light of day so here it is, kinda)

Oh my - Anon! This is an incredible idea and story line! It's so creative and good! Amazing work, really!

I always thought about how a good connection between the FBI and MC and a former or not former cooperation could look like but I unfortunately never came up with anything suitable. But this idea is really fantastic and so exciting!

The end of episode 10 really fits incredibly well to use this scenario in which MC once worked at the FBI, I love it.

And don’t worry, even if it’s not overworked, it’s good and it all makes sense! It would be a pity if this idea had never come to light and maybe you decide to write it at some point. I would be very happy. And even if not, I am still very grateful that you shared it with me because it is really an incredibly good and interesting headcanon!

Seriously, I’m absolutely amazed about the idea, I love it! Great work and great idea! *-*

[angeloncewas]

okay but you’re so right about this fandom and the weaponizing their minority status

like, yes poc creators have a hard time and they deal with a lot of shit, but the way to help them is not bringing other creators down. it’s to support poc creators! and support poc creators because they’re good at creating and they make good content!

my least favorite thing people do is go on twitter, and list poc streamers solely by their minority status, it feels like you should only watch a streamer because of the boxes you can tick off for them and that’s so fucked up. i would absolutely hate if I were a cc and someone said “oh watch her she’s a queer woc” like I have nothing else to offer? bro at least talk about my content a little bit?

also not to mention manatreed is definitely going to be either dream, another well known cc, or one of Dream’s very close friends, so it’s not like he randomly picked someone and went “even though you never made any content, you’re a white guy so I’m gonna add you onto the dsmp!” like, can we use our brains? or any critical thinking?

Sorry for this rant btw, but you’re just so right and it always pisses me off how people treat minorities in the first place. i know a lot of people on twitter is doing it with good intentions but it’s weirdly dehumanizing to act like you should only add people to dsmp based on their skin color or something

This was my original point, and I actually have a post in my drafts somewhere about it because it's been on my mind for a while.

I am Asian. Being Asian is inherent to who "Angel" is and while I didn't really accept that for a long time, I am very much in tune with my culture at this point. And yet this hyperfocus on identity that Twitter has developed still drives me mad. This notion that someone is definitely inherently more knowledgeable on a topic purely because of their skin color; that you should support someone purely on the basis that they're [x] - it's always bothered me.

And I understand wanting to lessen the inequality, I really do. It's why people who need money often include what minority groups they're a part of - it's a way of saying "society is working against me and thus I would appreciate your support to combat that." I don't think it's wrong necessarily and I'm definitely softer on it than I used to be. But it still does bother me for all the reasons you stated.

Reducing me to your perception of who I am feels gross even when it's my minority status. Racists are also fixated on the fact that I'm Asian because it's the "other" part of me; I should be allowed to be whoever I am, all things included. (I'm using myself here as an example because I don't wanna drag other people in or use examples I can't directly speak for - but y'know, Tina should be allowed to be Tina and not just Asian woman. Sniff should be allowed to be Sniff and not just nonbinary. They're worth watching for what they do, not just because you want to stick it to society.)

And the way it goes is so wild to me too. I mean, look at how they treat Hannah. I understand that discrimination due to race and gender are two incredibly different things, but you're willfully ignorant if you're gonna pretend that Hannah hasn't had to combat a whole lot of shit to get where she is - including pretty recent on-stream harassment from another cc who turned out to be a total creep. Gaming is a white male dominated industry and Hannah - though white - is a woman. That's something to consider. But they don't give a shit because they don't like her and she won't fold.

(And the framing... they're acting like Dream saw Manatreed and said "you sir, are white. welcome to the SMP." like if you think that poorly of him then I think you're spending your time wrong.)

No worries for the rant - I agree with you. It does feel dehumanizing and I don't know why they're so invested in it. Like, I guess I kind of get why - they really flock to their community due to bigots - but I've faced my fair share of racism and I would rather no one - not even people doing it to hype me up - start with the fact that I'm a woc.

[thatsassyhufflepuff]

Stronger Than Blood Chapter 36: Draco

Summary: Hufflepuff witch Felicity Zabini struggles to find normalcy as she enters into her 6th year at Hogwarts, reeling from her father’s sudden death and her mother’s quick remarriage into the Zabini family. If only she had known that discovering Draco Malfoy falling apart in the bathroom would spiral into so much more.

A/N: I’ve had this up on AO3 for the past few days but haven’t gotten around to posting it on Tumblr, so here. Aaaah! I've been incredibly busy with work and grad school but I'm getting chapters out as soon as I can! <3

Warnings: angst, fluff, language

Word count: 3.6k

Ao3

I cradled Felicity in my arms as she cried for what seemed like hours. The others had returned to the room, trying to console her, but I don’t think she heard a word of it. Eventually she fell asleep against my chest, a slender hand resting over my heart.

“Thank Merlin she’s asleep,” said Blaise from the corner of the room. “I’m not sure if I could’ve taken any more of her tears.”

“Blaise!” Astoria smacked his arm from her position beside him. “How could she not cry at what she just had to go through? She has every right to cry as much as she wants.”

“Still,” Blaise rubbed his arm. “When she cries the whole world feels wrong.”

This I could agree with. I still hated when she cried, as I could never find the right words to ease her pain.

Hannah stood from the chair she had placed beside Felicity’s bed, dropping her best friend’s hand gently.

“We’d better go,” She addressed Blaise and Astoria. “We’ve got class in the morning.”

As my mates filed out of the room, my mind wandered to the conversation I had with Felicity’s father a few hours earlier.

I watched as Felicity walked out of the room. What could the old man possibly have to tell her? I didn’t want to let her go alone, but the Headmaster was admittedly formidable when he wanted to be. What was more, the look on Hugh Cannon’s face made me freeze.

“Nice to see you again, Draco.” He finally said, taking a seat in the nearest empty classroom I’d found. I sat across from him gingerly.

“You as well.” I replied, clearing my throat.

“She doesn’t seem to be worried that I want to talk with you.” Hugh’s blue eyes bored into mine. I let out a short laugh.

“No, she doesn’t. She must trust me, which will never cease to amaze me.”

Her father chuckled. “Well, then, now would be the perfect time to discuss your intentions with my daughter.”

I winced. Bloody hell. I did not expect him to say that. Her father studied my face closely.

“Do you love her?”

“I fail to see how that’s any of your concern.”

“Excuse me?”

I coughed. “That is to say…I…look, I’m rubbish with feelings, alright?”

“Fine, then.” Her father leaned back in his seat. “Do you wish to marry her someday?”

My heart lodged in my throat as I realized I did want to marry her. I wanted her to become a Malfoy. I wanted a future with her. I wanted forever.

“If she’ll have me, yes.” I said, clearing my throat.

“And why should I give you my blessing to marry my only daughter?”

I flinched, leaning back a bit as well. “When Fliss came into my life I was…in a dark place. She sort of forced her way in, and Merlin knows I didn’t want her there, but…” I shrugged. “Now that she’s here, I’m not sure that I can let her go.”

“And what if she lets you go, Draco? What then?”

I closed my eyes against the thought. “Then I let her. She’s not a prisoner.”

Her father’s expression softened. “You love her enough to let her choose, then, enough to let her go.”

I wanted to say no. I didn’t want to let her choose. I didn’t want to let her go. But deep down inside, I knew that I would. And that’s what scared me most of all.

“Unfortunately,” I confirmed after a moment, which made the Muggle smile.

“Love is rather irritating that way, isn’t it?” He chuckled. “Suddenly what you want is irrelevant. Your entire world-”

“Revolves around her?” I finished, curling my lip. Hugh snorted but let me go on. “I’m Draco bloody Malfoy. The world revolves around me, thank you very much. Fliss just so happens to be in the same orbit.”

“How reassuring,” Hugh intoned drolly, reminding me very much of his daughter at that moment. “A narcissist wants to marry my only child.”

“I used to be a lot worse, if that makes a difference.” I offered helpfully. The man simply rolled his eyes.

“Just answer me this, Draco.” He leaned forward, blue eyes solemn as they locked with mine “Will you take care of her?”

No, I wanted to snap. I plan on leaving her to the Muggle-infested streets. I’m sure she’ll survive. Instead, I swallowed my pride and held his gaze.

“With my life.” You daft Muggle.

Her father nodded. “Good. Then you have my blessing.”

I gaped at him for a few seconds.

“Just know that if you hurt my daughter I’ll haunt you for the rest of your life.”

A startled, strangled noise escaped my throat.

“Understood, sir.” I managed to get out.

I blinked out of the memory as Felicity stirred in my arms, burying her face against my chest, obviously deeply asleep.

“Fliss?” I whispered, poking her on the cheek. No response. I glanced at the clock on her desk. It was nearly 1 A.M. As gently as I could, I maneuvered her out of my arms and onto her bed, pulling back the duvet before I did so.

“I’m a complete sap,” I grumbled to myself as I pulled the blanket over my sleeping girlfriend, tucking the edges around her shoulders. Before I turned away, I studied her face. Again I was struck at how peaceful she looked, but this time I knew better. Her long, dark eyelashes stuck together with what little remained of her mascara. Her lips were puffy and jutted out into a small pout even as she slept. My heart squeezed painfully inside of my chest.

Her father was well and truly gone this time, and I could only pray to whatever god may have been listening that I could fulfill his dying wish.

I leaned down to kiss her forehead, turning to walk away, stopping when I heard her whisper into the dark.

“Dad?”

I drew in a shaky breath.

“I’m afraid not.” I sat on the edge of her bed as she sat up, squinting into the inky blackness of her room. I rolled my eyes before grabbing my wand off of her desk and whispering, “Lumos.”

I held my wand between us. Felicity’s eyes were red-rimmed, the bags under her eyes resembling bruises.

“He’s really gone?” she whispered. I could only nod, not wanting to say the wrong thing, not this time. The Hufflepuff bit her lip. “I-I’d been hoping it was all one big nightmare. That I’d wake up to find my father just as he was last night.” Fliss laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. “‘Spose magic is only good for so much.”

I reached over to take one of her hands, giving it a gentle squeeze. “If you think about it, the fact that we can’t resurrect people from the dead is a good thing. What if some miserable sod got it in his head to resurrect that tosser Hitler? Then bloody World War 2 would start.”

Felicity let out a small giggle just like I’d hoped she would. “World War 2 ended in 1945, Draco.”

“I fail to see how that matters.” I lifted my chin with a sniff. “The point is, Fliss, there are certain lines one shouldn’t cross, especially when it comes to magic.”

“So says the Pureblood.”

“Why am I here again?”

“Because you love me and I just said goodbye to my father for a second time.”

“I must’ve missed that. I was too busy listening to your fat mouth.”

Fliss snorted. “You’re free to leave the room any time.”

“Perhaps I will,” I lifted her hand to my lips with my free hand. “Are you okay, though?”

She looked away.

“Fliss,” I pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Look at me.”

Reluctantly, she turned her face back to me.

“No,” she finally answered. “I’m-I’m rather broken at the moment. But I’ll be okay. I always am.”

I scooted closer to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, kissing her temple. “Repeat a word of this and I’ll hex you into oblivion, but I rather envy your courage. What you did today...it takes guts, you know? If I’d had half the courage you do…” I trailed off, but there was no need for me to go on. She knew.

“I’m no Gryffindor, Dray.” She remarked with a soft laugh. I stiffened even as I leaned the side of my head against hers.

“Don’t you dare talk about yourself like that. You’re much better than a bloody Lion. Wankers.” I scowled. Fliss patted my shoulder consolingly.

“I love it when you speak crudely and defend me in the same breath. It’s very you of you.”

“Hardy-bloody-har,” I rolled my eyes, sitting up but holding on to her hand. “Get some sleep, Fliss. It’s late.”

But my girlfriend was already yawning as she released my hand, settling back against her pillows.

“I love you, Draco.”

My heart seemed to expand at her sweet words.

“I know,” I mumbled back, pecking her on the lips before I stood and walked towards her door. It was only when I was sure she was fast asleep that I added, “I love you, too.”

***

“This is…opulent,” Fliss offered as she surveyed the expanse of our ballroom, clutching my hand a bit tighter. I looked down at her.

“Nervous, are we?” I teased, which earned me a glare.

“Of course I’m nervous!” Her eyes traveled around the room, stopping at each guest that seemed to float by. “I don’t belong here. Look at the way she’s staring at me!”

I followed the Hufflepuff’s gaze, wincing when it landed on Theo’s Mum, who was indeed staring at my girlfriend contemptuously. I scowled, turning my back on her to face Felicity fully.

“Never mind Mrs. Nott, Fliss.” I placed my index finger under her chin, turning her face towards mine. “She’s just as batty as Theo is. What’s more, every respectable witch and wizard knows she married Theo’s dad for the galleons.”

Felicity snorted at that. “Of course she did.” She turned to look up at me directly, patting my chest with a grin. “Not to worry, my aggravating serpent, I don’t love you for your money.”

“Aggravating?”  I paused, a grin of my own  spreading across my face. “I would love to hear all the reasons why you can’t get enough of me, though.”

Fliss shoved me away with a laugh, rolling her eyes.

“You’re horrible.”

“One of my many talents.” I agreed.

“I hate you.”

“Love you too, Fliss.”

I grabbed her hand again, twirling her around before pulling her back to me. She ended up nose to nose with me, making my heart give a giant thud. Would I ever get used to being so close to her? I almost didn’t want to.

“Come on, then.” I kissed the tip of her nose before releasing all of her but one hand. “Time to mingle.”

The Hufflepuff grumbled but complied, sticking close to my side as I adhered to formalities and introduced her properly to various attendees. While I could tell that they wanted to curl their lip at Fliss, they didn’t dare to speak a word against her in my presence.

“Draco!” I blinked as she tapped my arm excitedly. “There’s Astoria! I’m going to go say hello, yeah? I’ll be back.” Fliss stood up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek then scurried off to Astoria, who brightened when she saw my girlfriend as well. I still had to wonder a little bit at the sight, but Astoria had been a good friend to her. I didn’t give it another thought.

What do I do now? I wondered, glancing around the room. Before I could wonder about it much further, I felt another tap on my shoulder.

“She almost looks happier hanging around Astoria than she does with you.”

I rolled my eyes as I turned to Blaise. Impeccable timing as always, mate.

“Sod off, Zabini,” I scowled. “Fliss is just nervous, that’s all.”

“Can’t say I blame her there,” Blaise mused as he watched his sister talking animatedly to Astoria. “She’s most certainly the only one with Muggle blood in the room, and she’s on your arm.”

My eyebrows knitted together. “Being on the arm of a Malfoy is an incredible honor. She should-“

“Be grateful, fall at your feet, yes, we know, Draco.” Theo piped in, surprising Blaise and I.

“Who the bloody hell said you could speak to me, Nott?” I glared at him resentfully. Theo snorted.

“Still bitter, are we? My, my, Draco, you’re losing your touch.” He grinned in that idiotically smug way of his. “I thought you’d have worked it out by now.”

Blaise grabbed my arm before I could punch Theo between the eyes like he deserved.

“Worked what out, Nott?” I hissed, mindful of watching eyes. “That you tried to steal my bloody girlfriend from me?”

“The girlfriend that’s on your arm-“

“Some bloody mate you are-“

“Because of me?” Theo finished. I froze at his words.

“Because of you?”

“If you ask me-“ Blaise began, but I cut him off with a growl.

“Absolutely no one asked you, Zabini. Explain yourself, Nott.” I folded my arms, arching an eyebrow at my fellow Slytherin.

“For Salazar’s sake, Draco. If I hadn’t intervened Felicity wouldn’t be on your arm tonight.”

I took a menacing step forward. “Yeah? How do you figure?”

Nott sighed in exasperation. “Felicity is great, mate, but everyone knows she’s it for you. I also knew that you both would be too stubborn to end the bloody break you took. I simply pushed you in the right direction.”

“Oh,” Blaise perked up from beside me, then began to laugh. Before I could get too angry at him, he held up his hands placatingly. “Don’t get your knickers in a twist, mate. I understand now.”

“Understand. What?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“Jealousy,” Blaise responded with a laugh.

“Oldest trick in the book, mate.”  Theo added with a wink.

“You son of a-“

“Draco, darling, have you only just arrived?” I felt my mother’s hand on my shoulder as she spoke. When I turned to look down at, her expression was severe, warning me not to make a scene. I glowered at my mates.

“Sorry, Mum. Had to go round and introduce Fliss to your guests.”

“While forgetting to say hullo to your Mum?” Mum chided, the corners of her lips lifting into a tiny smile as my irritation grew. “Be a dear and refill the drinks, would you?”

“I’m not a bloody house elf, Mum!”

She arched a delicate eyebrow. “And just what would Miss Zabini say if she heard you just now?” When I said nothing, Mum began to call, “Felicity-“

“I’m going to refill the bloody drinks.” I grumbled, making a beeline for the refreshment table. I was not in the mood for one of Felicity’s bloody lectures about the rights of house elves. Beyond that, I was still peeved with Theo. I Accio’d the pitchers of drinks Mum had set aside for refills to the side of the long table, letting it drop with a bit too much force, but I hardly cared.

“Stupid, manipulative bastard,” I grumbled, flicking my wand to refill the various drinks Mum had set out. Out of spite, I mumbled a spell that I’d learned during fourth year that would spike the drinks, knowing full well Theo got sloshed quickly. I chuckled under my breath as I finished.

“Serves you right, Nott.”

***

The good news was, Theo was sloshed out of his mind, along with most of the other guests Mum had invited to the Ball. It was harmless fun, really, though I made sure to summon Fliss goblets of water consistently so she wouldn’t go near my concoctions. When she shot me a look, I gave Astoria the same courtesy.

“Bloody swot,” I mumbled as she smiled with approval at me, but felt my lips tug up with a smirk anyway. Fliss, at least, deserved to have a little bit of fun that wouldn’t humiliate her the following morning.

Her mother, though?

I curled my lip as I observed Bianca Zabini conversing with Mum, drink sloshing to one side haphazardly. Mum, I knew, never drank at parties, as she felt it was inappropriate as hostess to be inebriated. I wasn’t sure where Father had gone off to, nor did I care. From the judgmental look Mum gave me when I met her eyes, she knew I’d magically spiked the drinks, too.

Sweet Mother of Merlin. I watched as Bianca hobbled over to me. I glanced over my shoulder, sighing with relief internally, as Fliss had gone with Astoria to the loo to fix her makeup or some rubbish.

“Draco, how lovely to see you again!” Mrs. Zabini cried loudly, her words slurring together slightly. I let out a quiet snort.

“You as well, Mrs. Zabini.” I gave a curt nod, preparing to turn around and find Fliss immediately, but her mother grabbed my arm.

“So you’ve finally left her side, then.”

Her words were too loud; People were beginning to stare, but I focused on the drunk, older witch in front of me.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Her.” Bianca gestured lazily, some of her wine spilling onto the floor. I curled my lip. “Dirty-blooded wretch. I knew you were a smart boy, Draco. You-“ She hiccuped. “Would be daft to end up with her.”

My veins turned to ice.

“Is that so?” I kept my tone even and cold. “Tell me, Bianca, what did she ever do to you? Why do you hate your own daughter so bloody much? Shall I tell everyone just how much you abuse your only daughter, show them the bloody bruises-“

“Because your dirty-blooded girlfriend is the reason why my husband is dead!” The witch screamed, sending the room into a tense silence. “Every bloody time I look at Felicity I see him, and it hurts like hell. She murdered my husband, and I will never forgive her!” She paused for an uncomfortable amount of time. “But I…she’s still my daughter. She’s his, too.” The last part was so quiet that I was sure  only I heard her. Before I could reply, I heard someone letting out a choked noise.

When I turned around, my heart dropped.

Felicity.

She looked past me as she stared at her mother, her dark eyes huge and shiny with tears.

“Mum…?” Her voice cracked with emotion. I was at her side in three steps, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulder and drawing her to my chest. The Hufflepuff’s arm immediately wrapped around my waist, though she still faced her mother, who sneered at her daughter.

“You’re nothing but a charity case, girl.” Her mother slurred. “He’ll toss you aside soon enough.”

“Don’t count on it, you selfish bint.” I snapped as Felicity began to cry. Gasps and murmurs filled the room, but I had a mission then.

I Disapperated from the room, bringing my weeping girlfriend along with me.

***

For a long while, Felicity was inconsolable as she wept against her pillow. I’d brought her back to the Zabini residence and to her room, the only place in the huge estate that she seemed to want to be in for more than five minutes at a time.

“I’m sorry, Fliss.” I mumbled, hanging my head in shame as she calmed down enough to focus on what I was saying. “I’m a foul git, I know.”

Felicity gave a watery laugh. “I already knew that, Dray.” She replied as she sat up on her bed, her hair an absolute disaster by this point, her mascara trickling down her cheeks. She looked like a drowned raccoon, but she was my drowned raccoon, thanks ever so.

“That woman’s a bitch,” I sneered, opening my arms to let Felicity lay her head against my chest. The Hufflepuff crawled between my legs and laid her head against my chest, letting out a sigh as she rested a palm over my heart.

“She said she’ll never forgive me, Draco.” Fliss whispered after a moment. “Do you…do you think that’s true?”

I wasn’t sure what to say. For one thing, even if Bianca did forgive Fliss, what sort of relationship would they have? I couldn’t see it getting any better, and if that woman harmed my girlfriend one more time I’d use the Killing Curse on her myself, probation be damned.

“I don’t know,” I admitted after a few minutes, tracing slow circles on her back. I heard the witch sniffle, then burrow closer into my chest.

“Thanks.”

My hands stilled. “What for?”

“For being here,” Felicity replied simply, twisting her fingers into the material of my suit. I resumed my circles, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I really do love you, you know,” she added after a heartbeat. I hid a smile against her hair.

“I know.”

Before she could say more, I began to hum a nameless tune into her ear, rocking her slightly, hiding another smile when she drifted off to sleep. I kissed her cheek as I carefully stood, easing her down against her pillows and draping her blanket across her shoulders.

“I love you, too, Fliss.” I whispered as she dreamed.

Chapter 37

~~~

taglist: @beforeoursunsets @rosiehufflepuff @typewriting101

@sadgirlnumber92899 @riddleswh0r3crux @dropssofjupitter @chavideocho

[clean-bands-dirty-stories]

Special Skill ~ J.P. (part 1)

A/n: After Drive By part 2 WIPED me the fuck out, I tried to rejuvenate myself with some lighter content and ended up realizing that I actually ADORE Bradley Steven Perry, so I went back and watched some old shows and movies he’s in. When I stumbled on Pants on Fire... well, you know I had to ;) This was the piece I was so excited about! It’ll be a two parter because I cannot do all of ANYTHING in one part it seems lmao

Warning: This is male reader and also PURELY self indulgent. Also, LOTS of lying and manipulation. Being ignored. Highschool. Nothing too serious.

Word Count: 5600+

MASTERLIST

Everyone has a special skill. Some people are just really great at school. Some people are fast learners. Some people are natural, easily funny. Some people are good with kids. Some people were fantastic at keeping promises, or never failed to do what they felt had to be done no matter the cost.

Jack Parker's special skill was lying.

Y/n's special skill was being completely invisible.

Not like in a  superhero way, but in a high school way. Y/n was really quiet and reserved. He wasn't caught up in the normal high school things like relationships and popularity. In fact, he was withdrawn on purpose, finding most kids his age to be really annoying or ridiculous on some level. He was never rude, but he did prefer people watching and laughing to himself, to actually interacting with others.

He never meant to eavesdrop, it was just that he'd be sitting on the floor, leaning against a book shelf reading a book when someone on the other side of the bookshelf would start talking about something that he tuned into without thinking. Or, his quietness allowed people to forget that they weren't alone while walking or riding the bus and they'd talk loud enough for him to hear when he wasn't too far away. He perhaps could have tried harder to avoid people and give them their space, and he almost had... until one day he'd overheard Jack Parker and his best friend Ryan talking about something so very interesting that it convinced him to never stop listening to people ever again.

Jack Parker was... an interesting person, let's start there. A few people were pretty sure that half the things he said were true out of sheer improbability. However, Jack was such an amazing liar that no one could prove him wrong, and after a while even the ones who disbelieved him the most fell for his confidence and charisma. He just SEEMED like he was telling the truth. Everyone believed Jack when he told them something happened, especially when he became a local hero for tutoring some boy from another school. Mikey.

Well, almost everyone believed him at least. His very best friend, Ryan, knew the truth because Jack had told him. And Y/n knew because he'd been within earshot when Jack had told Ryan in the first place.

It had been what usually happens. The two boys had been in the back of the bus, as they both got off at the last stop - along with Y/n. They didn't know this though, because Y/n sat in front of them, just a few seats. He didn't talk, or even move a lot. He even sunk a lot into his seat as he was quite small, and leaned against the window to look outside, one earphone in his ear. As usual, his weird talent to be invisible no matter how hard he tried - for god's sake he was wearing a neon red jacket that day - he went completely undetected. So when Jack had explained to Ryan that he had lied about Mikey, and what it meant for them, Y/n had been well within ear shot to hear the whole thing.

Y/n could have told someone. Probably should have. But he had... a sort of crush on Jack, and selling him out wouldn't get Y/n anywhere with getting on the boy's good side. Not to mention, there weren't many people that would believe him - if there were any at all. He probably could have figured out a way to show Jack up. To rip apart his tapestry of lies and expose him to everyone. But Y/n believed that mistakes should be learned from. If he exposed Jack now, all that would happen is that Jack's life would be ruined and Jack would hate him. Things would come out eventually, and hopefully it would be from Jack himself. If that damage had to be done, Y/n wasn't going to be the one to do it.

He never really was, though. He never did much of anything.

All of that being said, Jack and Ryan were not the only ones stunned when the very Mikey that had been a ruse, suddenly turned up at school. Solid and smiling and talking and very much real. He passed every test and followed through treating Jack exactly how you'd expect Mikey to be. With him came Jack's super hot girlfriend from Arizona, even though Jack was so obviously crushing on one of the girls at school - Jenny. If that hadn't been bad enough, Jack and Ryan themselves broke into the room where Y/n was having shop class, being chased by lumberjacks who seemed to have it out for Jack. Weirdly enough, that fit another one of Jack's lies - once he'd broken his arm apparently single handedly fighting off two lumberjacks, but Y/n had seen Jack at the bike park the day before, and had seen him fall and break his arm, so he'd known better. Seeing them here now worried Y/n. So of COURSE he offered to take the two men out of the school where they belonged, and used it as an opportunity to dip out of class and follow after Jack to see if anymore of the lies Jack had told had come true.

Maybe even figure out what the hell was going on, and stop it.

Jack probably didn't deserve it, but if this got serious then Jack would be in danger from lumberjacks and aliens and pro wrestlers alike - and those were just the lies Y/n had heard about. Life was hard enough without your life being in danger, and that directly putting others' lives in danger as well. Y/n usually sat back and did nothing, but this wasn't one of those times.

After school, Y/n decided to go home - he wasn't going to follow Jack THAT far. But only the very next day, the rumor that Jack had been outside Jenny's house covered in all kinds of different things - including makeup - Y/n realized that maybe Jack needed an extra pairs of eyes to help him out. Unfortunately, Y/n lost Jack pretty early in the day as none other than Mikey himself approached after having a short exchange with Ryan and Jack. "Hey!" he greeted warmly.

Y/n stared back for a few seconds. Mikey seemed to get uncomfortable - the first negative reaction he'd had to literally anyone his entire time being here. "Hi," Y/n finally responded evenly, narrowing his eyes.

The response seemed to cheer Mikey up again. "Now that I'm transferring schools and coming here permanently, I think I want to make friends outside of Jack. He seems to be close with everyone here on some level, except for you and a few others. Figured I'd try each of you guys until someone - or even all of you - want to be my friend too!"

That made Y/n smirk. "I know you're full of shit."

Apparently, Mikey hadn't been expecting that. "I'm sorry?"

Shaking his head, Y/n scoffed. "I know Jack lied about there even being a Mikey. If you're just here to psyche Jack out, or for some magic thing, why are you trying to be friends with ME? No one wants to be friends with me."

This time it was Mikey who didn't respond right away. "You're less invisible than you think. I saw you in the window yesterday, watching me and Jack. I also saw you take those lumberjacks out of the school, which probably saved the boys a lot of time. I also saw you following Jack around the rest of school after that. You're the only one in this entire school who seems to be questioning anything." He smirked. "I have a friend who would really appreciate your help, especially since you know the truth about Jack... if you wanted to get him back for it."

Okay that wasn't what Y/n had been expecting. "Will I finally know what's going on?" Mikey nodded. "Will I have to participate in duping Jack?"

Mikey only shrugged. "We'll see what she says. Probably not."

How could he say no? "Who's this she, and what are you guys up to?"

Finally, that huge grin returned to Mikey's face. "I'm so glad you asked."

-

When Hannah had finished explaining the lengths she'd gone to in order to shake Jack up enough to finally tell everyone all he'd been lying about, Y/n had only one thing to say. "So you're lying to him to get him to come clean about lying to everyone else? At least now we know for sure you're both related."

That made her go a little red. "Listen, you have a little sister. You bring her to the fun center all the time." To that Y/n had to nod. "I see the way you sort of blend. I've picked Jack up from school for enough years now that I also notice the way you look at him." Y/n went stiff and Hannah chuckled. "Listen. He's a tool, and I have NO idea what you see in him, knowing what you know. But if you help me do this, maybe I'll help you out with your dilemma."

Y/n crossed his arms over his chest, suddenly not in a very cheery mood. "As much as I appreciate the thought Hannah, I'd rather like him from a distance than have to be friends with a straight boy I've liked for years okay? I'll keep my mouth shut - don't make any other promises you can't keep. Especially because-" Y/n swallowed a thick something caught in his throat. "He likes someone else.

There was an odd look on Hannah's face, but it was hard to read and she wasn't about to explain it which was most clear when she just kept on talking. So Y/n dismissed the look altogether. "Fine, that's fair." They parted ways there as Y/n noticed Jack and Ryan walking over to head home. Y/n had left class early to talk to Hannah in the empty parking lot, but now his time was up. "See you around, Hannah. Good luck." She winked and the boys shot Y/n confused looks as they got in the car and he left. As he went, he could hear them asking Hannah who he was, but she just said that Y/n had been asking for advice because they worked together, and left it there.

With how easy the words had left Hannah, and with how much confidence she'd had, perhaps Jack's talent for lying was more of a family thing than Hannah would like to admit. The thought amused Y/n enough to cheer him up. For now at least.

The next day in PE very quickly ruined his mood again though, as they were set up to play dodge ball. Mikey ended up being one of the team leaders, and he chose Y/n first to be on his team. Everyone was surprised. No one ever picked Y/n first. Even standing in front of them dressed in bright blue and red, he still blended into the crowd and it was often that not until everyone else had been picked they even realized he was there at all. Unfortunately, Y/n knew why Mikey saw Y/n so clearly. Why Mikey had picked him first. And he wasn't happy about it.

During the games, Mikey didn't talk much to Y/n which was appreciated, but the attitude Y/n gave him every time they DID interact seemed to catch Jack's attention - exactly what he didn't want to happen. Especially when a few games in everyone was picked off one by one until Jack and Ryan stood against Y/n and Mikey. Two on two, with Jack's eyes trained on Y/n in a way that made Y/n feel like he was going to explode. Perhaps it was that exact energy that demanded to be used that had driven him to pick up a ball and throw it at Ryan, nailing the red head right in the chest. "Nice shot!" Mikey congratulated. Y/n rolled his eyes.

In his moment of distraction, Jack hit Y/n with a ball as well. Y/n looked over when he was hit and the two boys' eyes locked. Jack seemed to be asking a question Y/n didn't want to even look at. Didn't want to hear, let alone answer. So he ducked his head and dipped, bee lining it for the water fountain on the opposite end of the gym to wait out the rest of the game so he could have as little downtime as possible to interact with Jack. It was that action which caused him to miss Jack nailing Jenny in the face with a ball aimed for Mikey, but he'd hear enough about it later to plenty make up for it.

After class was lunch, and Y/n would have made it peacefully to his usual spot under the bleachers, but Hannah stopped him on the way. Y/n was expecting her to ask him to be nicer to Mikey, but her eyes were only full of concern. "Mikey told me what happened in PE. How Jack noticed you, and how you ran away. He said you looked upset."

Y/n sighed, his shoulders sagging. "Honestly I just..." He wasn't used to having someone care about him, or talking about his feelings. It felt so promising to finally be able to, but also terrifying. Perhaps he and Hannah were in cahoots now, but she had no reason to actually care about Y/n. She was probably only asking to make sure that he didn't slip and tell Jack anything, which gave the thought that once this whole thing was over, she wouldn't care anymore. That meant Y/n could NOT get attached to her. Temporary things weren't worth putting effort into. "Nothing. I'm just used to noticing, not being noticed. Mikey sort of drew attention to me when he picked me first and it threw me off." He shrugged. "Now if you'll excuse me-"

"Hannah?" The sound of his voice made Y/n freeze, perfectly still. Not even breathing. "Drive us to Funland."

"Please?" She prompted, eyes staying purposefully away from Y/n, who kept his back to Jack but was still unfortunately in full view of her.

"Hannah," Jack tried again, voice laced with irritation. "Drive us to Funland. Please." the last word came out sarcastic and sharp. Y/n felt himself relaxed, ever amused by Jack's unceasing attitude.

"No," Hannah answered bluntly, smirking as she crossed her arm. Y/n actually smiled, and that only served to encourage her even more.

"Come on," Jack complained.

Ryan seemed to be less sure about wanting to go though. "We can't go back there," he reminded urgently. "Otis banned us for life." Y/n shot a look at Hannah, whose smirk only grew. Y/n had known for a long time that she worked at Funland - after all, he did take his little sister there like she'd said. He was beginning to wonder what shenanigans he'd been missing out on.

"We have no choice," Jack argued, turning to his friend. "If we want to get rid of Mikey once and for all, we have to find that purple hippo."

That caught Y/n off guard, and without thinking he turned to face Jack, too confused to think clearly. "I'm sorry, you're looking for Hurley?"

Jack only then seemed to realized Y/n was there, and he stopped a second, as if realizing it was the same kid who's been playing dodge ball with Mikey. Ah yes, back to being invisible. "No," Jack picked up again. "We're talking about a purple hippo at Funland who stands around and hands out balloons."

"Yeah," Hannah said this time. "His name's Hurley. And he doesn't hand out balloons."

"Well, when Emma and I went yesterday, Bart was off," Y/n piped up, directing that at Hannah. He didn't want to address Jack yet, and every time he looked at Ryan, the red head had gears turning so visibly not even his narrowed eyes could hold it off.

"That explains it," Hannah affirmed, nodding.

Jack was the next one to pipe in. "How do you two know all this?"

Hannah answered that one. "Jack, I've worked there for two years. I see Y/n there all the time with his little sister."

"Seriously?" Jack's shoulder relaxed, and Y/n realized that he'd pieced together why Y/n and Hannah were so casually talking to each other. He must have paid as close attention to Hannah as he did to Y/n though, because Y/n and Hannah had never really talked until all of the recent stuff that had been happening.

That theory was confirmed when Hannah huffed, "Where did you think I was going for four hours every day after school?"

"Well I don't know." Jack's eyes went wide as he shrugged. "I was just happy you were out of the house." Hannah sighed and took Y/n's arm to drag him after her as she began to walk away. There was only a second before Jack trailed after them, desperation leaking into his voice. "Hannah," he pleaded. "Hannah, please!"

Hannah was strong. Y/n wasn't. He pulled out of her grasp, turning to face Jack. "If you're really set on finding Hurley for whatever weird breakdown you seem to be having, his main habitat is the jungle mini golf course. Look for him there, okay?"

Jack grinned. "I like your new friend Hannah. He's awesome."

Y/n looked away to hide his blush.

"Yeah yeah, now go," Hannah dismissed, and the two boys ran off to go find Hurley. She grinned at Y/n when they were gone. "You know I'm Hurley, right?"

Y/n winced. "I know that now."

She giggled. "It's fine. This could be a good thing actually. They seem lost - I'll give em a little nudge." She leaned closer, bumping her shoulder with his. Her finger on the other arm reached up to tap his nose. "Push him in all the right directions." She winked, and then took off walking without Y/n this time, leaving him with a sinking dread in his stomach.

He pushed it down to take Emily to Funland just like he always did though... which had been a mistake. He thought that it would have been a big enough place to avoid Jack and Ryan, but only an hour later they were heading out of the jungle mini golf course when Ryan walked up to them, which of course meant Jack followed after. "Hey, I never caught your name?"

Y/n wished in that moment he could just die on the spot. "It's Y/n," he answered, hoping that would make Ryan go away. Long story short: it didn't.

"You've been coming here with Emma for a few years," Ryan continued. "Do you have any idea who Hubert could be?”

"Hurley," Y/n corrected tiredly. Ryan nodded. Y/n let his eyes drift away, searching out Emma as she climbed the rock wall. Unlike Jack, he wasn't good at lying. People never asked him questions - they never talked to him at all. But he had to lie. On some level. He DID know who Hurley was, but he couldn't exactly tell Jack that. Damnit Hannah, why did she have to tell him?! "Not really," Y/n finally caved. Ryan rose an eyebrow. "I mean I saw Hurley without a head once when I first came here, but they were fired as far as I know so I'm assuming it's someone new. That was three and a half years ago." It was truthful in full. Aside from the just the story, he didn't really know Hannah personally. He could have told them he knew it was her now, but he just. Didn't. Everything else had enough truth to it that it wasn't hard to sell.

Jack stepped up. "This probably makes no sense to you, but I just wanted to thank you for helping out. I think I've seen you around school a few times, but we've never like talked or anything. I just have to ask... why ARE you helping?"

Y/n shrugged. "I hate lying, and there's no harm in telling you what I did." Only then did he look away from Emma again as she began to reach the bottom of the rock wall, directly into Jack's eyes. "You have a lot going for you. It would be a shame if some unexpected drama were to ruin everything else." Jack's eyebrows came together, but before he could say anything Emma had reached the bottom and had made her way over - as Y/n had intended.

"Who are your friends?" the ten year old asked.

"Not my friends," Y/n corrected in the same nonchalant voice he'd used to remind Ryan of Hurley's name. "Just people I got to school with. They were just leaving-"

Emma's eyes went wide. "Wait, you're Jack aren't you?" Y/n went stiff. "My brother used to talk about you all the time! You're like the coolest kid at his school."

Jack turned his raised eyebrows on again, still aiming them at Y/n. Y/n shrugged. "What teenager who goes unnoticed and completely uncared for doesn't want to be friends with the popular kid?" He put either of his hands on Emma's shoulders, steering her away. "Nice to see you guys, later!"

Unfortunately, Jack didn't leave it there. "No wait!" He jogged over and Emma stopped, which forced Y/n to as well. "You've been cool. I wouldn't mind being friends."

Ironically, Y/n flashed back to what he'd said to Hannah. How much he had so NOT wanted this exact thing to happen. But what could he say. 'Sorry don't want to be friends with my crush, that would suck'? He couldn't that. But else would make sense? "Sure," Y/n sighed.

For some reason, that made Jack smile. "If you guys are set on staying here for a while longer, you can, but you could also come hang out with me and Ryan at my house if you wanted."

Y/n went to decline, but Emma got to it first. "Only if I can come along," she stated firmly. "This is sibling time. You get to join, not interrupt."

"That's fair," Jack agreed. "Come on!" The four kids headed outside after getting Emma's shoes and stuff, ready to catch the bus back to Jack's house. Y/n was sweating bullets. Unfortunately, going to Jack's house was the least of his problems. The second they were outside, Jack froze. "Perhaps... we should cancel the whole going to my house thing," Jack began nervously. His eyes moved to the others slowly, fear in them. Y/n seemed to put together what had him immediately - another lie had come to life. As if on cue, Jack looked at Y/n and Emma before his eyes glued to Ryan with purpose. "Remember when I told Eric that I was late meeting him because I was abducted by aliens?"

Ryan immediately went tense, and Y/n went pale. All four pairs of eyes turned to the roof, following Jack's lead as they saw what he had. Two men, wearing odd glasses like Cyclops from the X-Men comics. They seem to look identical - down to the matching shiny, silver suits and black, polished shoes. Very... what one might assume... alien vibes.

"No," Ryan whispered, forcing himself to reject what he was seeing. "I absolutely do not remember. I refuse to remember!" He even turned away, eyes focused purposefully on the cement.

"Too late," Jack shot down, his voice full of regret and resigned fear. He looked at Y/n and Emma, and in that moment the look that Jack had on his face would be burned in Y/n's mind forever. This is the face Jack made when he told the truth. "They're back."

"There are no such thing as aliens," Emma argued, shaking her head even as she looked up at the two men on the roof with awe.

"Right!" Ryan agreed, getting his momentum back. "Those are just two dudes, you know, wearing weird suits, standing on top of a roof." Jack and Emma nodded along, but Y/n was the one who had kept his eyes glued on the men, so he was the one who first saw the very bad news.

"They're running down it!" He screamed, jumping back to push Emma behind him, protected for maybe only a second longer than if he'd just left her be.

The two men landed, removed their weird glasses to reveal glowing red eyes, and then opened their mouths to release a high pitched, terrible shrieking sound. Y/n was most disturbed by the fact that they seemed to be even more identical with the visors off. So when Jack said to run, all four of them did, taking off into the garbage and hopping into the back of a truck. The aliens ran by and they were home free... well, until they almost ran face first into the lumberjacks, who had been so good as to find Jack again - this time with even more friends in harm's way. They were all running again, booking it into the elevator and to the top floor where they came out on the roof of all places. Where, to everyone's luck, the lumberjacks also were as they'd taken the stairs. Where, just as well, the aliens were as well, having run up the long way - through the parking lot. Even Otis was here, on his little golf cart to run them down as well.

Just as all hope seemed to be lost, Jack's fake girl from Arizona - Y/n never learned her name - pulled up in a red convertible, yelling at the four of them to get inside. Emma, Y/n, and Ryan all piled eagerly into the back seat, but Miss Totally not Fake Girlfriend locked the car before Jack could join them - right after he thanked her too, which finally gave Y/n her name. Lisa.

"Not you," Lisa snapped.

"What?" Jack almost screamed. Y/n couldn't blame him - Otis, the lumberjacks, and the aliens were getting closer by the second.

"You broke my heart, Jackie Bear," Lisa whined. Y/n looked away, his hands curling into fists. Putting Jack's life on the line was NOT worth having a heart to heart. This was NOT the time - how selfish did someone have to be? She didn't have to come at all if she didn't want to help, so why wasn't she just doing it and then talking about it later? She could have locked all of them in the car once they were safe and not let him out until... but then was when Y/n realized what this was about. The fake danger would force Jack to spill his guts and be honest, even if he wouldn't have in literally any other situation. Hannah was a genius.

"Lisa, please," Jack pleaded. "Whatever you want, I'll make it up to you."

"You're just saying that because you're selfish and you don't want your brains sucked out of your skull by aliens." The sentence was ridiculous, but Lisa DID have a point. Jack was only using her as an escape - he didn't really care that he'd hurt her.

Jack finally cracked though, not having enough room to think rationally. "Okay what do you want me to say?" he snapped.

"The truth," Lisa stated firmly.

And then, for some reason, Jack looked directly at Y/n, and in his eyes was that same fear from earlier. Y/n realized that the high opinions of others meant everything to Jack. Even now, thinking his life was on the line, with Y/n in the car, he couldn't bring himself to say it. "Just tell her, Jack," Y/n demanded. "I know as well as Ryan does that this whole lying thing has gotten out of hand."

Stunned, Jack looked back to Lisa. His confusion was replaced by regret as he saw HER. The girl he'd hurt by blowing her off to hide her from Jenny. Jenny, who had been hurt by all the other lies as well. Y/n, who seemed to know Jack had been lying but seemed hurt anyway. In that moment, he realized that Y/n was right. This HAD gone too far.

"Why don't you want to be with me?" Lisa asked gently, leaving no room for half truths or cop outs.

Looking around, Jack finally took in his situation... and gave up. "I-" His eyes flickered to Y/n again before landing on Lisa solidly. "I made you up so my friends wouldn't make fun of me."

Lisa smiled. "Get in." The car unlocked and the door opened and Jack was inside, and then they were pulling away and headed to Jack's house.

It was dark when they pulled up and unbuckled. Jack turned to Lisa, thanking her. She only smiled. "I know how much you love trouble, Jackie. Someone's gotta watch out for you." Ryan's eyes found Y/n's in that moment, and Y/n got the terrible feeling he'd been officially wrapped up in something he'd been trying to avoid.

"Listen, I'm sorry I lied to you," Jack apologized now. "I never, ever meant to hurt your feelings. It's just... I'm kind of into someone else." Y/n found himself having to look away, but he didn't miss the way that Ryan caught the pain flickering across his features. He only hoped Ryan wouldn't put together why.

Lisa was unphased. "If you like this someone else so much, Jackie Bear, just... try being honest with them. No one wants a relationship built on lies."

Jack nodded, then looked at Y/n. Feeling his eyes, Y/n looked back. "Speaking of..." He rose an eyebrow and Y/n nodded, recognizing without saying it that they needed to talk. They all got out of the car, said goodbye to Lisa, and then stood there and watched her go. It was then that Jack turned to Y/n again. "How did you know Lisa was a lie?"

Y/n sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "I know a lot of things about the people at our high school. I don't MEAN to, people just... don't notice me." He shrugged. "Say things without realizing I can hear you. I was in the bus with you guys when you told Ryan that Mikey was a lie. I was also at the park when you broke your arm on your bike, so I knew you lied about the lumberjacks. I'd hear the "my secret girlfriend in Canada" line so many times it was easy to put together that you were full of crap about that too. I eventually wrote off that most things you said that sounded ridiculous on any level, were. Like your Asian parents and the wrestler and Mikey's dog's bionic tail."

After a second, Jack let out a breath. "Why didn't you ever tell anyone?"

At this, Y/n could only bring himself to shrug. "I don't owe anyone anything, and there was no harm coming from it at the time. I mean, the other people lined up for Student of the Year were annoying, and that was as far as I knew when it came to who you were affecting. It's not my job to keep you from making your own mistakes - you have to be the one to tell them. You have to learn from it. Now more than ever. All of these things happening are affecting more than just you, and Lisa was right. Jenny has probably been hurt by the lying most of all." Jack went to argue, but Y/n just rolled his eyes. "Half the school can see the way you look at her, Jack, you're not lowkey." That shut Jack up immediately.

"Well," Ryan sighed. "Now we know how to fix the whole thing. It worked with Lisa, and it can work with the others too. You just have to tell the truth - that isn't hard."

But then a look crossed over Jack's face, and Ryan and Y/n seemed to realize what he was thinking without him having to open his mouth. "Jack..." Y/n whispered softly.

"I'm just so CLOSE, you guys!" He huffed, looking at the with desperation. "Student of the Year gets announced tomorrow."

"Are you crazy?" Ryan snapped. "After everything we've been through?"

"The hippo said I have to confess to everyone. He never said when," Jack reasoned. "I'll just do it after Student of the Year. You even said it yourself Y/n - those kids are annoying anyway. I'm showing people that grades and crap don't matter - heart does! That's a GOOD thing."

Y/n stepped away when Jack reached a hand out to put on Y/n's shoulder. "But you're not winning on good character, Jack. You're winning through lies. Lies that are becoming a serious problem. And what do you think will happen when they realize you've been lying even after you got the award? You think there are aliens and lumberjacks coming after you and anyone close to you, but you still prioritize what? Being a bat boy?" He shook his head, grabbing Emma's hand. "I was wrong about you Jack. I thought every teenager was afraid of being hated and invisible. I thought you did it because you cared about being able to do the cool things you can - like stop bullies two years older than you from messing with other kids, or getting a whole school to rally together through love and excitement. But the only thing you're doing it for is the glory, and you care more about that than your friends and family." Jack went to say something, but Y/n just shook his head. "I was stupid to have a crush on you. You suck." And then without seeing Jack's reaction, he turned and walked away.

He figured that after his little confession, Jack wouldn't try to be friends with him anymore. Before, he'd been silently afraid of that. No matter what he told himself, he wanted Jack to see him and smile. To know he existed and to enjoy being around him. Yesterday, or just a few minutes ago even, that would have been enough...

Now, Y/n didn't care in the least. If that was how Jack treated people he saw, Y/n was just fine curling up in the shadows and never having Jack look at him again.

[chlodani]

His Lost Girl to His Profiler

Once Upon A Time AU

Criminal Minds crossover

(Fanfic)

An abandoned girl from the enchanted forest escaped her own reality by going to Neverland. She knew he was the most ruthless person she would ever come across, Peter Pan, but she thought he had to be better than the man she lived with. She felt that she could avoid him and if she had to fight him. What she never expected was to fall in love with him. Living out her life until one day she's sent away to an unknown place, where she meets him, a simple handsome looking genius, who happens to be her FBI coworker.

Chapter 1: Neverland

Chloe's P.O.V.

I held a magic bean in my hand. Standing at the docks, with the moon shining bright. No one was around me. It was just me and the night sky. Which was honestly relaxing. I stood there thinking of everything. Of everyone I had lost. Everyone that I have ever cared for, that I have ever loved, they're gone. My mother, my father, my best friends Destiny and Hannah. They were the ones who stayed the longest until, the horrible people I stayed with took us away from each other. I haven't seen them in years. They basically took everything away from me. It wasn't long after I turned thirteen that I discovered I had magic. I never told them, they never would have let me use it. I've always wanted to learn how to use it. Learn how to control it. Destiny and Hannah were the only ones I used my magic around. They were the ones that helped me to keep my mind aligned. Once they disappeared from my life I felt trapped. I couldn't stay here anymore. I hated it here. I hated my life. There was nothing for me here in the enchanted forest. One night while I was in the tavern, I had heard tell of an island that anyone who felt lost could disappear to. However, there was one thing, or person, on that island whom you have to watch out for. His name is Peter Pan. I honestly don't care who I have to defend myself from. I can't stay here anymore. The outfit I wore was that of a bandit. That's pretty much who I am.

Being alone, trying to fend for yourself, while also trying to survive. I can't do it anymore. I want to be free. I closed my hand with the magic bean in it. Closing my eyes for a split second. I took in a deep breath, opening my eyes, I threw the bean into the water. Without another thought I jumped through the portal.

I stood on the shore of Neverland, honestly amazed at my surroundings. I was drenched from having gone through the portal in water. I tried to use my magic to dry myself only half succeeding. I sighed as I looked at myself. Well, I guess I'll dry when I start moving. I ventured forth into the jungle, with wonder of what to find. I didn't know if I was ever going to meet this Peter Pan or not but I can't go back now. Leaving my old life behind will be good for me. It will give me a chance to start over. Even if I have to avoid someone as ruthless as Peter Pan for the rest of my life.

. . .

As I walked through the jungle I heard rustling in the bushes all around me. I stopped walking to listen. I pulled my sword from its sheath.

"Who's there?" I asked sternly.

"Well, well, well, -"

I turned around to see a tall boy with a wooden staff walking towards me. He had a toothpick in his mouth. I pointed my sword straight out towards him.

"What do we have here?" He asked looking at me.

"Who are you?" I asked him.

He showed no emotion as I touched the tip of my sword to his chest.

"I think the question is, who are you? Pan doesn't like unknown people roaming his island without him knowing," he said to me.

"Well, if you're so sure about that, why don't you have Pan tell me that himself," I said to him.

"Gladly,"

Next thing I knew I was being dragged through the jungle. I had dropped my sword as I was dragged away. I tried escaping from their grasp, but they were too strong. They took me to a campsite, a fire sat in the middle. They had me on my knees in front of a log. Two of them stood on either side of me, still holding me so I couldn't escape.

"Felix!"

An older looking boy walked over to us.

"What is this?" He asked as he looked at me.

Looking up I saw him standing there. I looked into his face, and couldn't help the thoughts going through my head. He was very attractive in my eyes.

"She was roaming the island by herself. She disobeyed one of your rules," the boy I presume as Felix, (the one I talked to earlier) said to him.

The attractive one looked at me.

"Are you lost? - the first lost girl to ever come to Neverland, - help her to her feet boys -"

The boys standing on either side of me helped me stand up. They moved away from me. I looked into his green eyes.

"What's your name?" He asked me.

His British accent was almost to much for me.

"I think I should know yours first," I told him.

He smiled as he looked at me.

"Fair - I'm Peter, Peter Pan,"

"Well, Peter Pan, I don't want to cause any trouble, I just came here for a fresh start -"

"That's what Neverland is known for, those who have felt lost, alone, unloved, who have been abandoned. What happened to you?" Pan asked me.

"I don't think that's any of your business," I said to him.

"Actually, it is, everyone on this island is a family, and you're no exception,"

"Look I'm sorry if I've caused any trouble already. I just want to stay out of everyone's way, just as I've always done my entire life,"

"I'll make you a deal, take tonight to explore the island, do whatever your heart desires, then join us, be who you really are,"

"And just who am I?"

Pan smiled deviously as he looked at me.

"A lost girl, of course, everyone who has ever been abandoned is lost,"

I said nothing to him as I looked at him. There was something very intriguing about him. I didn't want to take his deal, but something told me, he would never leave me alone if I didn't. Or maybe do something even worse. And what's so bad about being a lost girl. Maybe it will change my life. I said nothing as I nodded to him. Another smile crossed his lips as he stepped out of the way allowing me to pass by him back into the jungle. I walked past him, venturing into the jungle behind him. I wanted to live out on my own, I feel as though now that I have met him, Peter Pan is going to be a part of my life for a long time.

. . .

I don't know how long I wandered. Everything was just so beautiful. I stopped walking to admire what was around me. I ended up in another area that had a large amount of water. I thought since I was alone, I'd try to use my magic to bring my sword back to me. Nothing was happening. Ever since Destiny and Hannah were taken away from me, it's like my magic has been blocked. Whenever I try, I can't use it.

"You're thinking to much about it,"

I jumped slightly not expecting to hear anyone. I turned around to face him.

"How did you find me?" I asked him.

"I know every inch of this island, no one comes to this island without me knowing," Pan answered.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to help you,"

"I don't need your help, thanks,"

"Not knowing how to use your magic could be dangerous -"

"I don't have magic,"

"I know when someone has magic, - I could teach you how to use it and how to control it,"

"Thanks, but I say again, I don't need your help,"

"I think you do,-"

Pan appeared himself behind me. He was so close behind me, my breath became short, my heart beat a thousand times more. He placed his hands on my arms closer to my hands. He let his fingers lightly touch my hands. My body was tensing just feeling his touch.

"Don't think about it - let your emotion take over, find your anger -"

"I don't have any anger,"

I don't think lying to him was worth it. It's almost as if he knew I was. He moved himself closer to me.

"What makes you a lost girl? Who abandoned you?"

I said nothing as I looked into the darkness of the night.

"Why do you feel unloved?"

"I was abandoned as a baby, my mother and father didn't want me, I lived with my uncle who didn't allow me to do anything, he took everything from me, my best friends, he took everything. I never had a chance to get to know who I really was. I lived around so many people, but I was alone. I could never find my place, I didn't belong anywhere. I wanted to escape, I hated my life, I hated everyone around me. No one wanted me, no one loved me, I've never felt wanted by anyone. I was a slave in my own home, never allowed to do anything but what they wanted. They treated me like trash, they took away the people in my life who really mattered, rubbing in my face like I was nothing. I was nothing, - I am nothing. I've never been wanted by anyone, and I never will be. All I've ever been my entire life is lost. I've never felt like anything other than an orphan,"

I felt something in my hand. I looked down at my hand. I was holding my sword.

"How did I do that?"

"By embracing who you really are,"

I didn't know what else to say as I looked at him.

"I could teach you how to control it,"

"You would do that for me? Even though you have no idea who I really am?"

"There's always time to learn, - and there's something about you, I don't know what, but I want you-"

My stomach fluttered as I heard the demanding tone to his voice. He moved closer to my ear.

"And I will have you -"

Pan appeared a necklace into his hand. The chain was silver, there were two hearts crossing over the other, with a small emerald green stone in the middle.

He put the necklace around my neck. I didn't know why, but I liked the gesture. I liked being around him. My heart was beating a millions times faster as his warm breath covered the side of my neck.

"There's one thing you should know if you're going to stay on my island, - Peter Pan never fails,"

I shuttered underneath his touch as his hands rested on my arms. How am I going to live on this island feeling this way towards him? Why do I feel this way towards him? What purpose could he have possibly had for this necklace? I loved it, I wanted to hold onto it forever. Pan disappeared from my sight. I let out a breath I was holding back that I didn't even know I was holding back. I honestly didn't want him to leave. I wanted to be near him. I couldn't allow myself to get involved with him. It would mean nothing but trouble for me; but what if he can't stay away from me?

. . .

I found myself standing back outside of Pan's camp. I didn't know why I went back, but I wanted to be near him. I wanted to learn everything there is to know about magic from him. I watched as the lost boys danced around the fire, cheering and chanting.

"Come back for more?"

I turned to see Peter Pan standing behind me. My stomach fluttered as I looked at him. He had the most intimidating look on his face. One that I found rather attractive. He intrigues me just by the way he looks at me.

"I came back to tell you that I'm joining you," I said to him.

Pan didn't say anything as he looked at me.

"And I want you to teach me how to use my magic,"

Pan appeared himself behind me. He stood close behind me, placing one hand on my waist. He used the other to move my hair off my neck. He leaned down closer to my neck. His warm breath on my neck almost sent my body over the edge.

"It'd be a pleasure,"

I closed my eyes breathing out softly as he placed his lips on my neck kissing softly. It's almost as if he was teasing me. And he knew what he was doing. He moved back from me starting to turn around to walk back to camp. I didn't want him to move. I was to afraid to say anything. He turned to look at me.

"Aren't you coming?" Pan asked me.

He held his hand out to me. I found myself smiling as I took his hand. He led me into the camp.

"Boys, -"

They all stopped to look at us.

"This calls for celebration, let's welcome the first lost girl to ever come to Neverland," Pan said to them as if I was actually something worth celebrating.

I felt a little awkward standing there being put on the spot, but I also felt welcomed. I haven't felt that way in such long time. Maybe being here won't be so bad. Maybe this is where I have belonged all along.

[propshophannah]

Hi Hannah, sex ed question, I've been with my current bf for a while now (I'm a girl) and the furthest we've ever made it is second base. I wanna go further, but I have no idea what I'm doing. Mostly the two things I'm curious about are blowjobs, like how to give one and what it feels like for me and stuff, and also whether I should shave or wax or whatever down there, like what works best? Thanks for all these posts, they're actually wonderful and I appreciate them :)

HI! Thanks and you’re welcome!

So blowjobs, eh? Hmm. I am of the mindset that oral sex is way more intimate than actual sex. Just because your face is right up in someone else’s genitals. So, be prepared to possibly experience that odd emotion. Semen is also usually salty-ish depending on what someone has been eating. It can be sweeter sometimes, but usually it’s salty. 

It will feel weird. Only because you might not be getting anything out of it at the time. So if your partner is not also touching you when you give him a blowjob, then it can seem rather uneventful. And awkward. But it’s basically sucking on a penis. I don’t know how else to say it. There is a certain amount of you running your closed lips over the penis, and a certain amount of you actually sucking on it–like you would a straw almost.

Talk to your partner about what feels good to him. Because everyone is different. He might feel the most pleasure around the tip/head of his penis, or maybe the underside of the head. He might also like a little pressure from your teeth raking over him/along the shaft. 

Don’t worry about how far into your mouth you can get someone’s penis. Life is not a porno and very few people can deep throat a penis. Also, you don’t want to start gaging–WHICH HAPPENS. So just use your hand to work the base/shaft of the penis and your mouth on the top 1/3 of it (depending on the size). Once you’re comfortable with that, then you can move on to taking more into your mouth. You don’t have to suck the penis the whole time, you can also lick/kiss/suck up the side/along the shaft.

Some guys like to have their balls squeezed while getting a blow job, so ask your partner. Some guys HATE this, or are too sensitive. And some guys really want you to grab them hard. I’d always go for gentle. You can just kind of roll them in your hand, or gently squeeze and release. It all depends on your partner.

Be prepared for your mouth to get tired. It might be smart to start as a hand job, then use your mouth, then end as a hand job. 

ALSO: Make sure your partner knows whether he can ejaculate inside your mouth or not. And that he is going to tell you when he’s coming so you can he ready. Semen shoots out and you don’t want to be inhaling and choke on it, you don’t want it to hit the back of your mouth and trigger your gag reflex, and if you’re not okay with him coming in your mouth, then you want to know when to let go and end in a hand job.

And then for body hair… that’s really up to you. I tend to think that nice and neat is better only because (I’m not sure how old you are) I’d hate to be known as that girl with the 60′s bush. So I’d say shave like you would in you were putting on a bathing suit. Don’t be scared to bring it in tighter. I know a lot of people who like landing strips. If the hair is super long, you can always trim it down so that it’s like one inch long and not three, but that’s up to you. I wouldn’t recommend going bald. At least not yet. If you shave it, the growing back is annoying, itchy, and sometimes painful. And if you wax it, it can be expensive, it’s often painful, and can result in some serious ingrown hairs. 

I waxed my bikini line a few times and I’ll never do it again. Not only was I allergic to the wax, but I could not prevent ingrown hairs. I’d spend hours picking them out and some of those suckers were DEEEP. Not fun. And little red bumps from where you pick them out are potentially embarrassing.

I hope this answered your questions! Let me know if I can be of more help.

[hacked-by-jake]

I can't explain why, but I feel like Jake's been behaving weird since Episode 7 :(

I restarted the game and in the opening sequence there is a brief second where it's clearly visible that someone is getting kicked off a chair with their hands tied behind their back. The room seemed pretty empty and dark and there were two other dudes (as far as I've seen) there. Do you think it's possible Jake behaves weirdly and suddenly expresses his feelings more openly because he may know he's about to get caught by his pursuers? D:

Episode 7 & 8 Spoiler!

First of all: Hello Everbyte, should you read this I have a please: PLEASE DON’T BREAK MY POOR HEART AND LET IT COME TRUE!😫 Thank you :)

-

Sadly, I have to agree with you. :(

I also restarted and talked to a friend about how we think Jake has changed. I mean, it’s nice that he’s gotten more open, but I’m still worried.

In episode 7, after he came back, after his escape, he said that he had made sure that his persecutors would not bother us any more.

After we talked about Alan, at the end of episode 8, Jake said, "I still have an ace up my sleeve"

Unfortunately, I kind of feel like he wants to sacrifice himself if we get into trouble, because it’s actually a good method. He is wanted by the government and if he wants to negotiate a deal in which he wants to be arrested, if we can stay free, then this is also a good move for the government. We’re just a little problem, it’s not that bad what we did, compared to a wanted hacker.

No one knows what we have to do with all these things and Jake would never let us get into trouble just because we were involuntarily pushed into this whole situation.

In general, he (I think) has changed a bit throughout.

I don’t know if it’s my imagination that he talks less about Hannah, but he does. He used to talk much more about Hannah than he does now.

Also that he kept information from us, no matter how big or small.

I really love you, Jake, but the way you acted in episode 8...

I mean, first of all, the group chat conversation about Hannah’s surveillance video. We sent it to him back then, but he didn’t talk about it. A short time later we pointed out to him that we still have to discuss this video, but again nothing came.

He took care of it, but he didn’t tell us. Yeah, maybe this information isn’t really important, but we have to send him every little detail, every little one. And whether it’s important or not, it’s important for us to know.

And then his cell phone number. I think that’s a fact, which I find really serious. He cut out his call with Hannah so we don’t focus on it, I’m sorry, but this is really not cool. Really. Not. cool.

Whether he just wanted us not to focus on it, we should at least have known it. I still have previously assumed that, that he saw Hannah’s kidnapping about his cell phone. And since we didn’t know that the last number was not his, as I had assumed, we couldn’t know whether his number was on the list or not.

Since I thought it was his number, I didn’t wonder, of course, because we knew they were talking to each other, it was clear that he was also on the list.

But that he cut out his number is not okay, he could at least tell us that he did it.

And the fact that he never told us in private before, how it went on the phone with Hannah, I find it weird. I mean, this is an important piece of information. Perhaps incidental but nevertheless important. That he then talked about it without problem in the group chat, I do not know...

At this point, thank you Dan, that was really time!

I really think he’s hiding something from us, I don’t know what, but I can imagine.

Edit: I forgot something. I think it’s a pity that he’s hiding things now.. because he wants us to trust him but the way he’s done it definitely makes it harder.

That was more than I had planned xD

I hate to talk so negatively about Jake, but just because I like him, I’m not blind. '-'

[thatsassyhufflepuff]

Stronger Than Blood Chapter 3: Felicity

Summary: Hufflepuff witch Felicity Zabini struggles to find normalcy as she enters into her 6th year at Hogwarts, reeling from her father’s sudden death and her mother’s quick remarriage into the Zabini family. If only she had known that discovering Draco Malfoy falling apart in the bathroom would spiral into so much more.

Word count: 1.9k

Warnings: none

Ao3

A/N: This is an alternate canon, I've messed around with the timeline of events!

I stormed into the Hufflepuff common room, my thoughts somewhat scrambled. Who in the world did he think he was, manhandling me like that? I had to admit, I’d been scared that he was going to hurt me when he grabbed me so violently. Thank God Blaise had shown up…

“Felicity?” The gentle voice of my best friend, Hannah Abbott, pulled me out of my thoughts. I blinked, looking down at the shorter girl. “Are you okay?” Her blue eyes were wide with concern. I sighed.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I mumbled, massaging my temples as I walked to my room, shedding my outer Hufflepuff robes and tossing them on the bed. Hannah followed me, arching a thin blonde eyebrow. I glared at her.

“What?”

“Spill.”

“There’s nothing—“

“Felicity Grace Zabini!” Hannah made a face then. “It’s still weird calling you that. But I know something’s wrong. I’m your best friend, Fee, so tell me what it is!”

I rolled my eyes, plopping onto my bed. Unfortunately for me at the time, we shared a room, so she just sat down on her bed and folded her arms, waiting. “It’s just…” I started. “On the way in, Blaise and I had an unfortunate run-in with Malfoy, and--”

“Malfoy?” Hannah interrupted, paling, and I stared at her.

“Yeah. What--why are you looking at me like that?”

Hannah rose from her bed, crossing the room and sitting next to me on my bed. Her kind blue eyes were troubled. “I suppose you didn’t hear, then.” She said gravely. I shook my head, wondering what on Earth she was talking about. “He...well, Katie Bell...he’d given her some sort of necklace, and it cursed her. Madam Pomfrey said she was going to be fine, and she isn’t even in the Hospital Wing anymore, but Draco…” She sighed. “Well, I’m sure you can figure out how she got it.”

My eyes widened. Sure, Malfoy was an arrogant jerk, but to be capable of such violence? What reason would he have for that? I knew he wasn’t a fan of Gryffindors, but still...something didn’t add up. He was a bully, but I had a hard time believing he was the type of person to try to kill someone. I blinked a few times. “Wow,” I muttered, still trying to make sense of it in my brain. Hannah nodded wordlessly, then reached over and gave me a big hug, one I returned, squeezing her gently. I’d missed my best friend over the summer. She pulled back, giving me a smile and shoving me playfully.

“My summer was great, thanks for asking.”

I snorted and caught up with my best friend until it was time to go to sleep, easing back into the familiarity of our friendship and of Hogwarts. At the back of my mind, though, what Draco Malfoy did continued to baffle me.

***

The next morning at breakfast, I noticed that Katie Bell was back. My eyes brightened. So she was okay, that was good. She looked very weak, but at least she was alive. I made my way over to her; Harry Potter had beaten me there, it seemed. I didn’t know him too well, but he and Hannah were acquaintances, and he was nice enough.

I nodded a hello to Harry before looking at Katie, giving her a sweet smile. “Katie, glad to see that you’re okay!” The Gryffindor gave me a small smile in return, opening her mouth to speak, when suddenly, Harry tensed beside us, staring at a point past our heads. I turned and followed his gaze. Draco Malfoy stood there, his grey eyes wide as he stared at Katie. For once, his features were unguarded, his face pale as he took in her sickly state. A flash of remorse flickered through his eyes, followed by panic, before the Slytherin turned around and fled out of the Great Hall. Harry started after him, his fists clenched, but I grabbed his arm.

“Harry,” I chewed on my lip, tugging him by his sleeve. He shot me an exasperated look but didn’t try to break out of my grasp.

“Felicity, he--”

“I know,” I cut him off, giving him a stern look. “But running after him and confronting him when you’re angry won’t help anything. Let me...I’ll go see what he’s up to, okay? Stay here.” I dropped Harry’s arm and ran after Malfoy, wondering what in the world had gotten into me.

I ran somewhat blindly until I saw a streak of white-blonde hair around the corner, and I forced myself to speed up, not wanting to lose him. When Malfoy entered the boy’s bathroom, however, it gave me pause. I stood awkwardly at the doorway, hiding behind it so Malfoy wouldn’t see me. As I watched, he took off his outer vest, turning on the water in the bathroom sink, splashing his face, then looked at his reflection in the mirror. Despite myself, my heart clenched at the look on his face. He looked exhausted, visible bags under his eyes even from where I was standing. He looked at himself bitterly, as if he hated his reflection. His chest heaved, and he was shaking.

Then, Draco Malfoy braced his hands on either side of the sink, bowed his head, and began to weep. He wept like a trapped, lonely soul, with heart wrenching, broken sobs that shook his shoulders, making him gasp for air. The fist closed around my heart flexed and squeezed even more. My Hufflepuff instincts took over, then. I couldn’t just stand there and watch someone sob, no matter who they were.

“Malfoy?” I ventured hesitantly, moving into the doorway. He whipped around, tears streaming down his face, and before I could even register the movement, he was in front of me, his wand pointed shakily at my throat.

“How long have you been standing there, mutt?” Malfoy growled. Or, at least, he tried to. It was hard for anyone to sound menacing when tears were streaming down their cheeks. I held up my hands, careful not to move, what with his wand at my throat.

“Long enough,” I whispered, hoping to Merlin that he wouldn’t hex me right then and there. His grip tightened on his wand, and he glared at me through his tears.

“Come to gloat, eh, Zabini? Now that you’ve seen a Malfoy at his worst? Going to tell the world that I have a heart after all?” He dug his wand closer into my throat, gaining anger from his words.

“No!” I yelped when Malfoy’s hand slapped over my mouth, as I’d yelled that a bit louder than I’d meant to. “No,” I murmured when he dropped his hand, wiping it on his pants. “No, I just...Harry looked like he was going to kill you, so I held him back because I figured a fight was the last thing anyone needed, and...why are you looking at me like that?” But he wasn’t looking at me. He was looking over my shoulder. I turned, following his gaze, and my heart stopped.

Because before us stood Albus Dumbledore, who, by the angry look on his face, had seen Malfoy’s wand at my throat and heard the last bit of our argument. “Oh, bloody hell.” I mumbled as the headmaster gestured for us to follow him.

***

“Sit down Mr. Malfoy, Miss Zabini.” Dumbledore’s tone left no room for argument, so Malfoy and I sat in the two chairs in front of his desk. By now, Malfoy’s tears had dried, but one only had to take a close look at him to know that he’d been crying. Dumbledore certainly noticed, but was apparently kind enough not to say anything about it.

Once we were seated, Professor Dumbledore clasped his hands together, studying us. “Care to explain why Mr. Malfoy’s wand was aimed at your throat, Miss Zabini?” he asked after a moment, leaning back. I glanced at Malfoy, who looked even paler than usual. His grey gaze alternated between Dumbledore and I, filled with dread, as if he knew something bad was about to happen. An hour ago, I wouldn’t have given a second thought to ratting Malfoy out. God knows he made my life miserable enough. But then I remembered the way he’d looked in the bathroom. Haunted. Desperate. Exhausted. Broken. I didn’t have the heart to get him in trouble, not after that.

“It--it was my fault, sir.” I said after a moment, and I saw Malfoy’s eyebrows shoot up to his hairline for a millisecond. “I, ah...well, since it’s been a few months since I’ve lived here, I got turned around, thought that that particular bathroom was the girls bathroom. Happens every year, only lasts for a few days as I readjust. Anyways, Mal-Draco just happened to be walking out of the bathroom, and he bumped into me. We all have the instincts to pull out our wands to defend ourselves nowadays,” I shrugged. “Just in case, y’know...with You-Know-Who running about. That’s all you saw there.”

Dumbledore just stared at me for a few minutes, and I was beginning to feel pretty stupid, but finally, he spoke.

“Hufflepuffs have never been good liars, Miss Zabini.” He told me, his voice firm, but his eyes were kind, as if coaxing me to tell the truth. But I found that I couldn’t. I shook my head stubbornly.

“I--I’m afraid that’s the story I have to stick to, sir.”

The headmaster raised an eyebrow at me. “Why is that, Miss Zabini?”

I shook my head again, fear gnawing at my gut. “I--I can’t tell you.”

For the first time in a few minutes, Dumbledore looked at Malfoy, whose face gave nothing away. He alternated his gaze between us a few times, then sighed.

“Well, Miss Zabini, I do trust that your reasons are noble for keeping something from me.” I sighed with relief, but Dumbledore held up his hand. “However, if you are not willing to tell me the truth, I will need something from you. Both of you,” he added, looking at Malfoy again. Neither Malfoy nor I spoke, so Dumbledore took that as a cue to tell us what he wanted.

“The prejudice I see amongst the students at Hogwarts astounds me,” he began, steepling his fingers together. “ Every student at Hogwarts is a valuable member of our community, no matter their blood status.” Malfoy snorted at this, but one stern look from Dumbledore shut him up. “Which is why, Mr. Malfoy, Miss Zabini will be teaching you about Muggle Studies.”

“What?” Malfoy cried, his eyes widening. At the same time, I laughed, “Me? Tutor MALFOY? Yeah right,”

“Silencio ,” Dumbledore waved his wand at us, and to my outrage, neither of us could speak. This time, both Malfoy and I glared at the headmaster, whose eyes were maddeningly cheerful. “That is an order, Mr. Malfoy, Miss Zabini. You both will benefit from this in the long-run, I assure you. Miss Zabini is second only to Miss Granger in your class, Mr. Malfoy. In fact, the two of you share that honor. If you refuse, there will be consequences. Understood?”

Grudgingly, we both nodded, or maybe that was just so he’d shut up and reverse the silencing charm he’d cast on us. Either way, the headmaster reversed the spell, dismissing us from the room. With one last, parting glare, though I couldn’t help but notice it held less malice than before, Malfoy stalked off to the dungeons. I sniffed with distaste, heading to my own common room. Hannah is going to flip…

Chapter 4