I need a movie adaptation of "if we were villains" with finn and noah to play oliver and james... pls someone make this. i feel like their chemistry is unbeatable
โ donโt you think i know exactly where i stand?
this world is forcing me to hold your hand โ
โช just a girl
by no doubt
Audreyโs Perspective
To say the first Care of Magical Creatures lesson had gone poorly would be an understatementโit had been an outright disaster. While I bore no personal grudge against Hagrid, it was hard not to feel that he'd handled the entire affair with a troubling degree of recklessness. His intentions may have been good, but the execution left much to be desired. For a first lesson, it was an incredibly chaotic introduction.
To begin with, heโd handed us a textbook that quite literally bit, offering no explanation on how to safely handle it. That alone should have been a warning sign. But the real trouble began when he introduced us to the hippogriffโmagnificent, yes, but also notoriously temperamental creatures. Letting two students ride one without direct supervision was a bold move, to say the least. It all spiraled from there.
When Malfoy was slashed by it, the tension in the air thickened instantly. I wonโt pretend I felt any particular sympathy for himโhis arrogance and constant need to provoke had made him few friendsโbut I had to admit, the injury looked painful. The sight of blood and the panic that followed cast a long shadow over the rest of the lesson.
It had been an unforgettable first impressionโbut not in the way Hagrid had likely hoped.ย
In the aftermath, the class dissolved into murmurs and nervous glances. Some students seemed shaken, others visibly thrilled by the drama of it all. Hagrid, to his credit, looked horrifiedโmore wounded than anyone else in the clearing. He had rushed to Malfoyโs side, stammering apologies and fumbling with instructions for someone to fetch Madam Pomfrey.
But the damage had been doneโnot just to Malfoyโs arm, but to Hagridโs credibility. It was clear that word of this would spread like Fiendfyre through the castle. And once parents got wind of itโespecially someone like Lucius Malfoyโit would be more than just gossip. Thereโd be letters, possibly complaints to Dumbledore, maybe even Ministry involvement.
As we were dismissed early, I walked back up to the castle with a strange mix of unease and reluctant awe. The lesson had been chaotic and dangerous, yes, but it had also been... real. Not just wand-waving or theory, but a genuine brush with the raw, unpredictable power of magical creatures. As much as I respected Hagrid It was clear this lesson wouldnโt be winning any awards in my mind.
โOh, I feel terrible for Hagrid,โ Ophelia remarked as we made our way to the Great Hall for dinner. Her voice was soft, distracted โ she'd been out of sorts for the better part of the day. It wasnโt just Hagridโs situation weighing on her, though thatโs what she claimed. Earlier, she'd even been scolded by Professor McGonagall โ a rare occurrence, and a clear sign something was off.
Yes, Ophelia genuinely cared about Hagrid, but it wasnโt the whole story.
โWhats gotten into you?โ I asked her.
โItโs Hagrid! Poor thing he looked so devastatedโฆ I hope nothing bad happens.โ She prompted.
Mmm. Right. Hagrid.
โNothing to do with a certain Gryffindor who tripped and landed on you after the Buckbeak ride?โ I teased.
โThat wasโฆ that was just an accident. He was clumsy. It meant nothing.โ She replied swiftly, averting her gaze.
What she wouldnโt admit โ or perhaps chose not to acknowledge โ was that her thoughts were far more entangled with Harry than she let on. It had been obvious for a while that she harbored a quiet crush on him, and despite Hagridโs less-than-stellar first impression, it was the moment Harry lost his balance and fell on top of her after dismounting Buckbeak that seemed to occupy more space in her mind than anything else. Her flushed cheeks afterward said more than words ever could.
โOh please, you looked like a cursed rosebush. Honestly, I thought Madam Pomfrey might cart you off thinking it was a rash.โ I murmured, rolling my eyes.
By dinner, the Great Hall was already buzzing with retellings of the incident, each version more dramatic than the last. โMalfoy almost lost his arm,โ someone said near the Ravenclaw table. โThe hippogriff tried to eat him,โ claimed another. I rolled my eyes but said nothing. The truth was bad enoughโit didnโt need embellishment.
To make matters worse, my younger sister Vivienne had been acting unusually preoccupied โ and, much to my annoyance, it was all about Malfoy. She kept hovering over me like she was waiting for some grand revelation about the incident. I finally let out an exasperated sigh.
โWhat is it now, Vivienne?โ I groaned, barely hiding my irritation, โIf youโre that worried about him, why donโt you go check on him yourself?โ
I only said it to stop her pressing meโI never thought she'd actually take it seriously. But before I knew it, I was being dragged to the hospital wing, barely getting to touch my dinner. Every step heavier than the last, my sister at my side, both of us about to face Malfoy. The weight of my words hit me then, far too late.
Thanks to no one but myself, I was dragged by my sister all the way to the hospital wing, where I stood behind her as she pushed the doors open with far too much enthusiasm.
In the hospital wing, there was enough chaos even without Vivienne strutting into the room like she owned the place. Madam Pomfreyโ poor soul, was already struggling to drive a group of Slytherins away from the bed Malfoy lay in. She turned to us for a quick moment, unimpressed by our loud entrance, and shot us a warning look as if to say Iโll deal with you later, and she was then shoving four girls out of her way.
โHonestly Vivi, this better be worth it,โ I said impatiently, although I was almost certain that it wouldnโt be. The only reason I didnโt protest too much was because I didnโt want to upset Vivienne again. But now, she seemed to have gotten over it, and was exploiting my guilt to the fullest.
As she spotted Draco lying on one of the beds at the far end of the room, reclined dramatically against the pillows like a dying prince, his left arm propped up and wrapped in gauze. I was ready to say โHappy now?โ and leave her to moon over Draco Malfoyโs whimperingโ because of course he was whimpering. And whimpering he was. Loudly. To the point where even Madam Pomfrey looked ready to throw him out of the window and give him a real injury to cry about.
But Vivienne was far from done there, she rushed to his side, indulging his whining about how painful it was. I reluctantly dragged my feet after her.
โItโs unbelievable,โ he was saying to Vivienne, and it seemed that he was ready to complain to anyone with functioning ears, โDo you see the size of this bandage? I could have lost my arm!โ
โOh, for Merlinโs sake!โ I groaned out loud. Vivienne gave me a sharp look, astounded by my sudden outburst. From the corner of my eye, I saw Madam Pomfrey raise an eyebrow at me, but didnโt say anything. I suspected she had been waiting for someone to put the moaning boy in his place.
He looked up, and without missing a beat, a wide smirk appeared on his face, โAh, the voice of reason herself,โ he said lazily, โCome to offer your condolences, Audrey?โ
โFar from it,โ I crossed my arms, โI was dragged here by someone who hasnโt figured out that swooning over you is a tragic waste of time.โ
Vivienne turned beet red, looking like she was regretting bringing me there. Malfoy raised a pale eyebrow, looking unfazed.
โIโm flattered, Rosier,โ he sneered, โDidnโt know you thought of me as tragic.โ
โThe only thing tragic about you is your terrible acting,โ I snapped, taking a menacing step towards the bed.
He let out a laugh, amused, โAre you that worried about me?โ
โWorried? About you?โ I scoffed, crossing my arms tighter, โHardly.ย Youโve turned the entire school upside down with your dramatics. No oneโs even talking about how terrified Hagrid was, or how much trouble heโs in. Itโs all โpoor Malfoyโ this and โdid you see the bloodโ thatโโ
โWell, my arm was slashed open by a hippogriff,โ he said, raising his bandaged arm like a trophy, โSo it is kind of a big deal.โ
โYou provoked Buckbeak, and you know it,โ I said through gritted teeth. Vivienne looked something like a panicked zookeeper trying to tame a wild animal. โAnyone with half a brain knows that.โ
โAnd here you are,โ he smirked proudly. None of my remarks seemed to be getting through that thick skull of his.
Thatโs when I realized how close I had been standing to him. My anger had driven me closer to where his arm was raised. I stopped, dead in my tracks. I meant to step back. Before I could, his arm brushed against my sleeve, not even touching my skin. But it was intentional.
Was this his idea of flirtation? All it did was piss me off even more. But there was a pang in my chest not unlike the time sparks flew on the train a couple nights ago.
God, why did I remember that?!
It took me a few seconds to regain my composure and I took several steps back. I turned to Vivienne, anticipating her reaction without much eagerness. She looked absolutely scandalized. Before either of us could say anything, Madam Pomfrey, who had finally had enough, rose from her seat next to the potions cabinet.
โOkay, girls, enough of this,โ she interrupted with a stern look on her face, โGet back to your respective common rooms this instant. And Mr. Malfoy, you can drop the act now, please, leave.โ
I shot Malfoy one last triumphant look before I began walking out of the hospital wing. It was now my turn to drag Vivienne after me. Her manner was quite different from before. She now looked thoroughly embarrassed, ready to crawl into a hole and never come out.
โI canโt believe you,โ Vivienne hissed.
โI canโt believe you,โ I countered, โServes you right.โ
We turned a corner, and reached the point where Vivienne had to take the stairs to the dungeons, where the Slytherin dorms were, and I had to go the other way to the Ravenclaw tower. We paused for a minute, before Vivienne finally spoke.
โIโm never taking you anywhere with me,โ she said, sounding absolutely befuddled. But I knew full well she wasnโt going to do anything of the sort.
โGood,โ I said indignantly, โThat was my intention.โ
buni's notes: not audrey turning the tables at the last second XD
delphi's notes: I had sm fun with the cursed rosebush insult hehe.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
next chapter: september 27th, saturday
โ woah, oh, iโm feeling you, baby,
donโt be afraid to jump then fall โ
โช jump then fall
by taylor swift
Harryโs Perspective
I was in deep trouble.
Which wasnโt abnormal for me, because being the boy who lived came with plenty of life threatening situations. I had been going to Hogwarts for a little over two years, and yet I had already encountered Lord Voldemort at the back of my teacherโs head and a deadly Basilisk, and both times I had barely escaped death. But this time the trouble was of a completely different nature.
I was currently sitting atop a hippogriff, which Hagrid had affectionately nicknamed Buckbeak. I was less than thrilled about it, especially since I noticed the deadly talons and steel-like beak of the half horse, half eagle. Hagrid had slightly unconventional ideas of what a pet is supposed to look like. So far, I had seen him attempt to domesticize a dragon, a huge spider named Aragog and a vicious three headed dog that he named Fluffy.ย
As a part of his first Care of Magical Creatures class, he had picked me as a volunteer. Not by choice, though. I was reminded of the fact that I wouldnโt be there ifย Malfoyโ the menace that he was, hadnโt shoved me to the front. I had bowed in front of Buckbeak, and even went as far as petting him. But flying? That was a whole different task.
And yet, none of these was the trouble. Hagrid offered to send someone with me on Buckbeak, and I, feeling a sense of relief, agreed in a heartbeat. And the person he had sent was none other than Ophelia Sinclair. The trouble was that from the moment Hagrid said her name, my heart kept beating faster and it didnโt seem to be stopping. In fact it seemed to be getting faster by the minute.
Ophelia climbed onto Buckbeakโs back behind me, the action filled with hesitation. Despite my racing heartbeat, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Ophelia was way better with animals than me. I could be sure that Buckbeak wouldnโt decide to drop me mid-flight.
I looked back at Ophelia, who was adjusting herself. Her hair was slightly messy, sticking out here and there, cascading down her neck. I couldnโt help but notice she looked just as beautiful with disheveled hairโ maybe more.
God, what am I thinking?!
She met my gaze, and I could see the terror in her eyes. Oddly enough, as her eyes met mine, I felt my face burning up, and words seemed to fail me. I simply turned ahead once again, and as I felt Ophelia inch closer, my heart quickened. Whatโs happening to me?
Without warning, Hagrid gave Buckbeak a strong slap, and roared, โAlright, then, go on!โ His voice was lost in the hippogriffโs movements as its wings flapped open, making a great deal of noise and scattering its feathers everywhere.
Just as Buckbeak shifted beneath us, I felt Opheliaโs hands grab hold of my robes, and in that moment, my racing heart must have stopped beating entirely. It was like I had gone into cardiac arrest. The hippogriff galloped a few steps ahead before taking flight and rising above the green canopy.
Soon, we were soaring above the forest, leaving Hagrid and the other students far below us. It was nothing like a broomstick, and I instantly knew which one I preferred. Buckbeakโs wings were beating uncomfortably near my legs and I felt unsteady, rocking back and forth as the hippogriff flew even higher. I clutched hold of his neck and the glossy feathers were slipping through my fingers but I didnโt dare tighten my grip. The wind was rushing past us, and the moment I caught a glimpse of the forest and school under me, I squeezed my eyes shut.
โOh my god!โ Ophelia was screaming over the sound of the wind. I was trying desperately to distract myself from the fact that her hands were gripping my clothes so tightly, and that she was inching closer to me.
โHarry, open your eyes! Look at the view!โ she said, and I heard her smiling. I reluctantly opened my eyes, only to find her face closer to mine than it had ever been. The cold air had no effect as my face instantly heated up once again.ย
I shifted my attention to the world beneath me, and I found myself in awe of its beauty. Although it was terrifying to fly atop a hippogriff, the view made it seem worth the fright. The Hogwarts castle stood tall behind us, and the thick foliage of the forbidden forest was right beneath us. The sky was less gloomy today, and it was a dusty shade of blue, with storm clouds sparsely littered everywhere. The Black Lake was glistening ahead of us, and I felt the wind tickling my skin and sending my hair flying in all directions. It was all so breathtaking, that for a moment I had completely forgotten that I was hundreds of feet in the air.
For a moment, I wasnโt the Boy Who Lived, or the kid with a death omen in his tea leaves. I was just... a boy in the sky, with her.
We were now rapidly approaching the Black Lake, and I felt Buckbeakโs wings flapping faster and faster. The pit in my stomach was growing deeper and deeper as the creature dipped lower, as if he was going to dive head on into the water. When the hippogriffโs neck lowered, I heard Ophelia let out a yelp behind me and quickly wrapped her arms around my waist, holding on for dear life.
I was painfully aware of the distance between usโ or the lack thereof. My body was now burning up, although the temperature outside was dipping. I had gone completely stiff. I couldnโt moveโ hell, I couldnโt breathe. I must have forgotten how to. I felt Ophelia breath on the back of my neck. It felt warm against my skin, and I hoped she didnโt notice that goosebumps had appeared on every inch of my body.
Buckbeak was now flying dangerously close to the lake. One wrong move, and we would be in the water. Just when I thought he couldnโt go lower, he did, his falcons dipping in the lake, sending droplets of water splashing on my face. Behind me, I heard Ophelia giggling at the sudden attack of water. I could hear the sound clearly in my ear, as her head rested on my shoulder. It was almost like I was hearing it for the first time. In that moment, I found myself thinking that the sound of her laughโ hearty, loud and supremely real, was worth a hundred of the views I had seen from the sky.
I couldnโt help but join in the laughter, our voices muffling because of the gust of wind as Buckbeak turned back to the forest. There was a new kind of energy surging through my veins as Opheliaโs grip tightened around my waist. It was the most exhilarating thing I had felt in my entire life. Possibly more exhilarating than the flying part. The world around me seemed to melt away, leaving just me and her, as her hands clung to me.
โAre you alright?โ she yelled over the roaring wind. The trees under us now blurred into a smear of green as Buckbeak was steadily preparing to land, โYou wonโt, like, throw up or anything, right?โ she asked with a playful chuckle.
โIโm okay,โ I said, although I was far from it, โYou?โ
โAlmost,โ she answered tentatively, in that usual aloof, mysterious manner she sometimes assumed.ย
The students and Hagrid had now come into view as Buckbeakโs legs hit the ground, galloping forward, before stopping with a loud thud. I let out a relieved sigh, as Hagrid and the rest of the class applauded. I couldnโt find it in me to smile, still feeling shaken from the entire ordeal. A hint of disappointment came over me as Ophelia let go of me.
โWell done, Harry, Ophelia, well done!โ Hagrid was clapping harder than anyone, and there was a proud grin on his faceโ which I had suspected had more to it than our successful flight on Buckbeak.ย
He was helping Ophelia down, and she pushed herself off Buckbeak and stumbled a little as her feet hit the ground again. I couldnโt help but think that it was kind of cute, and the corners of my lips went up ever so slightly.ย
I threw my leg over Buckbeakโs back, and jumped down. My feet felt as if they werenโt mine, and I stumbled even harder than Ophelia. I went crashing right into her, most ungracefully, as I clumsily grabbed a hold of her shoulders as she took a hold of my forearms to steady me.ย
โOh, bloody hellโ Iโm so sorryโโ
I was incredibly embarrassed at myself for humiliating myself in front of her. Ophelia, on the other hand, seemed to find it incredibly funny. She had helped me stand up straight (by placing her hands on my waist again, which was sending me into another cardiac arrest), and was laughing hysterically, โServes you right for laughing at me,โ she said through giggles.
Laughing at her?
โI wasnโt laughing at you,โ a smile betrayed my countenance as I couldnโt help it when I heard her laughing.
โSure, you werenโt,โ she said, unconvinced, still half-giggling. It was by far one of the most beautiful sounds I had ever heard.
โHowโm I doinโ on meโ firsโ day?โ Hagrid interrupted us. The glint in his eyes seemed to suggest he was somehow reading my thoughts.
โAmazing!โ Ophelia chirped before I could find the words, โNo one could have done it better than you, Hagrid.โ
โYeah, youโre doing great!โ I joined in. Ophelia had run off to join Audrey, and Hagridโs gaze was fixed on me, and then after a few (rather uncomfortable) moments, slowlyโ but surely, he winked at me.
I stared at him.
Oh no.
Did he know too?
Great, now the boy who lived was going to blush himself into a coma.
The moment shattered when Buckbeak reared, Malfoy yelped, and the world returned to normalโ or at least, as normal as things got around here.
Malfoy deserved it, of course. Everyone muttered it under their breath, Hermione looked proud, and Ron was already plotting how to work this into a late-night retelling in the common room.
But I couldn't join in. Not properly.
Because even as Malfoy limped away and Hagrid flapped around him apologetically, my mind was still stuck somewhere between the clouds and her laughter.
That laugh โ wild, real, and a little reckless โ it was echoing in my ears long after the wind had died down. I didnโt know what to do about it yet. I didnโt even know what it was. But I knew thisโ I wanted to hear it again.
I looked across the field, saw her with Audrey, her hands moving animatedly as she recounted the flight. I wondered if sheโd tell the part where I nearly fell on her. I hoped she would. I hoped she wouldnโt.
My feet finally remembered how to move, and I trudged back to Ron and Hermione, who were already giving me that look.
โWhat?โ I asked.
Ron raised an eyebrow. โNothing,โ he said far too innocently, โJustโ that was quite a landing.โ
Hermione smirked. โAnd quite a take-off, too. Though Iโm more curious about what happened in the air.โ
โOh, shut up,โ I mumbled, heat crawling up my neck again.
They didnโt press. Not really. But I could feel itโ a shift. Not just in me, but in everything. The sky had opened something in me, and now I didnโt quite know how to close it.
Behind me, Buckbeak let out another proud screech, wings flaring. Malfoy was still moaning dramatically on the ground, and Hagrid looked like he might cry or strangle someone.
It shouldโve been chaos. It was chaos. But somehow, in the middle of all of it, everything had gone quiet in my chest. And all I could think about was the sound of her laughterโ and the way it made me feel like I could fall and still somehow land on my feet.
buni's notes: the only time a man's opinion ever mattered
delphi's notes: Draco was asking for it frfr
TABLE OF CONTENTS
next chapter: september 21st, sunday
โย yeah, i donโt know if you like mesometimes i think you might hate meย โ
โช girl, so confusing
by charli xcx
Audreyโs Perspective
Professor Dumbledore began the school year, as he always did, with one of his familiar speeches. However, this time, the mood in the Great Hall was noticeably heavier. The recent escape of Sirius Blackโa convicted mass murdererโhad cast a long shadow over Hogwarts. As a precaution, the Ministry had decided to station Dementors around the castle grounds. The mere thought of those dark, soul-sucking creatures lingering nearby sent a chill down my spine, especially after the disturbing encounter with one on the Hogwarts Express.
That incident had shaken me more than I cared to admit. Yet, what occupied my mind most on the ride to the castle wasnโt just the Dementorsโit was Vivienne. Her behavior on the train had been reckless, and I certainly didnโt condone it. Still, despite my disapproval, I couldnโt simply cast aside my concern. Sheโs my younger sister, after all. Regardless of how frustrating or impulsive she might be at times, Iโve always felt a deep sense of responsibility to protect her. That night, as the carriages rolled up to the looming silhouette of Hogwarts, I couldnโt shake the uneaseโabout the dangers outside the castle walls, and the uncertainty stirring within them.
An unconscious instinct compelled me to glance toward the Slytherin table. It was almost as if my eyes moved on their own, drawn by a quiet pull I didnโt quite understand. As expected, Ophelia noticed. With a smirk playing at her lips, she couldn't resist teasing me once more about the earlier incident with Malfoy. I simply rolled my eyes in response, brushing off her comment with practiced ease, and shifted my focus back to the real reason for my wandering attentionโVivienne.
It didnโt take long to find her. There she was, seated as usual, a subtle tension in her posture that made my stomach tighten. I caught her gaze and, without thinking, sent a small, apologetic look in her direction. I wasnโt angry anymoreโat least not in the way I had beenโand I hoped she could see that in my expression.
But instead of softening, she turned her attention away, purposefully ignoring me in that frustrating, childish way she did when she was hurt or annoyed. I sighed quietly, a mix of regret and resignation settling over me. My gaze drifted away, unfocused, and before I even realized it, I had completely zoned out.
When I finally came back to myself, I was startled to find that my eyes had settled on someoneโno, not just someone. Him.
Draco Malfoy.
Our eyes had locked, and the seconds that passed between us felt painfully long, heavy with something I couldnโt quite name. At first, I wasnโt even sure he realized I was truly looking at him, but something in his expression shifted the moment he did. There was a flicker of recognition, maybe even curiosity, as he noted the change in my attention. Unlike earlier, this wasnโt a distracted glanceโI was fully present, and we were unmistakably staring at each other.
And for some odd reason, I couldnโt look away.
Opheliaโs teasing words echoed in my mind and I forced myself to tear away from his gaze. What the bloody hell was I doing? Silently disturbed by the encounter, I chose to focus on the Treacle Tart in front of me for the rest of the dinner.ย ย
As dinner came to a close and the last few students drifted out of the great hall, I clearly remembered Ophelia chatting with Luna about her new kitten. The two of them had been completely absorbed in the conversation, their voices soft under the hum of departing footsteps.
Soon after, we walked together along the well-worn path that led to the West Tower, our footsteps echoing faintly in the quiet corridor. Somewhere along the way, I driftedโlost in thought, barely noticing the way the torches flickered against the stone walls.
โHey, Audrey, are you even listening?โย Opheliaโs voice cut through my reverie, sharp and mildly irritated. I blinked and realized we were already standing at the entrance of our common room.
โIโno, Iโm sorry. I was just thinking about Vivienne,โ I replied, fumbling for something truthful to say. To be fair, Iย hadย been worried about Vivienneโฆ at least in part.
Ophelia wasnโt convinced. She gave a loud, exaggerated scoff. โOh,ย please. I saw you practically ogling Malfoy earlier.โ
โOgling?โ I repeated, half-offended. โWhy on earth would I be looking atย him?โ
โYou tell me,โ she said, arms crossed. โItโs not like Vivienne wasnโt sitting right next to him.โ
I opened my mouth to reply, but before the argument could escalate, Luna interjected in her usual calm, dreamy tone.
โDonโt argue, you two.โ
I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck as my gaze fell to the stone floor. I didnโt want to admit that Ophelia mightโve been rightโor that my thoughts were more tangled than I let on.
The bronze eagle knocker stared at us with its unblinking eyes, as regal and imposing as ever. As we approached, it spoke in its smooth, rhythmic tone:
โI fly without wings, I cry without eyes. Wherever I go, darkness flies. What am I?โย
โEasy,โ Ophelia said before I could even open my mouth. โA cloud.โ
The door swung open soundlessly, revealing the circular room bathed in moonlight. The domed ceiling stretched above us like a star-studded sky, the tall arched windows letting in the silvery light that danced across the rich blue rugs and high-backed chairs. Books lay scattered on a nearby tableโlikely abandoned in the rush to dinnerโand the faint smell of parchment and lavender lingered in the air.
I stepped inside, breathing in the cool stillness. It always felt calm in here, like the very walls encouraged thoughtfulness and quiet.
Luna wandered toward the windows, gazing up at the night sky with a soft hum, probably searching for a Thestral constellation or something equally odd. Ophelia flopped into her favorite chair by the fireplace, curling her legs beneath her and casting a sideways glance at me.
โSo,โ she began, picking up a cushion and hugging it, โAre you going to tell me whatโsย reallyย going on, or should I just assume youโre emotionally spiraling over both Vivienneย andย Malfoy?โ
I shot her a look, half amused, half exasperated. โIโm not emotionally spiraling.โ
โMmmhmm,โ she hummed skeptically.
I sat down across from her, feeling the warmth of the fire start to seep into my skin. For a moment, I watched the flames flicker before answering.
โVivienneโs been distant lately. And Malfoyโwell, I donโt like that sheโs mingling with the likes of him.ย
Ophelia sighed. โI guess thatโs what she gets for being in Slytherin.โ
Luna spoke without turning from the window. โSometimes people hide the most important things in plain sight. Like how Nargles love to hide in mistletoe.โ
Ophelia and I watched her confused, โWe areย notย dealing with Nargles, Luna.โ
I couldnโt help but smile faintly, though my mind was still racingโimages of Vivienneโs unreadable expressions, Malfoyโs cool glances, and that persistent sense that something justย wasnโt right.
โWhatever it is,โ I murmured,ย โI have a feeling this year is going to be eventful.โ
โ
The following morning marked the return to the academic grind of Hogwarts. This year, my timetable included several new subjects, and I couldnโt exactly say I was thrilled about all of them. One of the moreโฆย unusualย additions wasย Care of Magical Creatures.ย
For this class, we were assigned a textbook that had nearly taken off my foot the moment I unwrapped it. Iโd had no choice but to subdue it with a leather strap just to stop it from snapping at anything that moved. The whole ordeal left me more than a little uneasy. Vivienne, on the other hand, had been practically glowing with excitement ever since she heard about the class. She kept saying she couldnโt wait to be in third yearโbut seeing the gleam in her eyes as she clutched that dangerous book made me doubt whether that was a good thing or a cause for concern.
As I finished stuffing the unruly textbook back into my satchelโstill squirming faintly beneath the leather strapโI spotted Ophelia weaving her way through the crowd of chattering students from the Gryffindor table . Her dark hair was pinned back neatly today, though a few strands had rebelliously escaped to frame her face. She wore the usual jovial expression that made her seem immune to the chaos around us.
"Let me guessโyourย Monster Book of Monstersย tried to eat you too?" she said, falling into step beside me.
I rolled my eyes. "It went for my foot. I think it has a taste for shoes."
"Charming," Ophelia smirked. "Mine just flung itself off the desk and tried to attack a first-year. I did eventually figure out a way to open it, though. You just have to stroke the spine.โ
โGood grief,โ I exasperated, โAnd you just happened to pet it?โ
โConsidering that it was Hagrid, I wouldnโt put it past him,โ she smiled. Her inclination for befriending deadly books was starting to scare me. โI wonder if I should name it."
I chuckled, and together we began making our way down toward the dungeons, the chill in the stone corridors growing more pronounced with each step. It reminded me of what the notice in the common room had said this morning: Potions. And, judging from the sea of emerald approaching, weโd be sharing the lesson with the Slytherins. Lovely.
The mood shifted as we neared the classroom. There was something about walking into a Potions lesson that felt like descending into the lair of a sleeping dragonโyou had to move carefully, breathe quietly, and for Merlinโs sake, donโt draw attention to yourself. Professor Snape, as usual, adorned the room still with the weight of precise expectations. One wrong move and youโd be coughing up green smoke for days.
We rounded a corner just in time to see the Slytherins already lounging outside the classroom door, looking as smug and polished as ever. Draco Malfoy leaned against the wall, lazily twirling his wand between his fingers while Pansy Parkinson whispered something to him behind a cupped hand. Blaise Zabini cast us a brief glance, his expression unreadable as always, and then returned to whatever quiet conversation he was having with Daphne Greengrass.
Ophelia leaned in. โI wonder if they practice that smirk in the mirror. Itโs almost impressive.โ
โIโm convinced itโs taught in Slytherin orientation,โ I replied under my breath.ย
โRight after โHow to Look Like You Know Everyoneโs Secrets.โโ
The door creaked open at last, and Professor Snapeโs voice echoed from within.
โSettle down, I have very less time to waste.โ
Ophelia and I exchanged a glance,ย here we go again.
We took our usual seats near the middleโclose enough to hear instructions, far enough to avoid the worst of any exploding cauldrons. I settled in, trying to shake the feeling that todayโs lesson would be anything but ordinary.
delphi's notes: The book of monsters just wanting some love is so real. ส๏พโ๏พส
buni's notes: ย i would say stage 1- denial, but for audrey it's more like stage 1, 2, 3- denial and then everything after that is "OH NO"
TABLE OF CONTENTS
next chapter: september 14th, sunday
โย yeah, i donโt know if you like mesometimes i think you might hate meย โ
โช girl, so confusing
by charli xcx
Audreyโs Perspective
Professor Dumbledore began the school year, as he always did, with one of his familiar speeches. However, this time, the mood in the Great Hall was noticeably heavier. The recent escape of Sirius Blackโa convicted mass murdererโhad cast a long shadow over Hogwarts. As a precaution, the Ministry had decided to station Dementors around the castle grounds. The mere thought of those dark, soul-sucking creatures lingering nearby sent a chill down my spine, especially after the disturbing encounter with one on the Hogwarts Express.
That incident had shaken me more than I cared to admit. Yet, what occupied my mind most on the ride to the castle wasnโt just the Dementorsโit was Vivienne. Her behavior on the train had been reckless, and I certainly didnโt condone it. Still, despite my disapproval, I couldnโt simply cast aside my concern. Sheโs my younger sister, after all. Regardless of how frustrating or impulsive she might be at times, Iโve always felt a deep sense of responsibility to protect her. That night, as the carriages rolled up to the looming silhouette of Hogwarts, I couldnโt shake the uneaseโabout the dangers outside the castle walls, and the uncertainty stirring within them.
An unconscious instinct compelled me to glance toward the Slytherin table. It was almost as if my eyes moved on their own, drawn by a quiet pull I didnโt quite understand. As expected, Ophelia noticed. With a smirk playing at her lips, she couldn't resist teasing me once more about the earlier incident with Malfoy. I simply rolled my eyes in response, brushing off her comment with practiced ease, and shifted my focus back to the real reason for my wandering attentionโVivienne.
It didnโt take long to find her. There she was, seated as usual, a subtle tension in her posture that made my stomach tighten. I caught her gaze and, without thinking, sent a small, apologetic look in her direction. I wasnโt angry anymoreโat least not in the way I had beenโand I hoped she could see that in my expression.
But instead of softening, she turned her attention away, purposefully ignoring me in that frustrating, childish way she did when she was hurt or annoyed. I sighed quietly, a mix of regret and resignation settling over me. My gaze drifted away, unfocused, and before I even realized it, I had completely zoned out.
When I finally came back to myself, I was startled to find that my eyes had settled on someoneโno, not just someone. Him.
Draco Malfoy.
Our eyes had locked, and the seconds that passed between us felt painfully long, heavy with something I couldnโt quite name. At first, I wasnโt even sure he realized I was truly looking at him, but something in his expression shifted the moment he did. There was a flicker of recognition, maybe even curiosity, as he noted the change in my attention. Unlike earlier, this wasnโt a distracted glanceโI was fully present, and we were unmistakably staring at each other.
And for some odd reason, I couldnโt look away.
Opheliaโs teasing words echoed in my mind and I forced myself to tear away from his gaze. What the bloody hell was I doing? Silently disturbed by the encounter, I chose to focus on the Treacle Tart in front of me for the rest of the dinner.ย ย
As dinner came to a close and the last few students drifted out of the great hall, I clearly remembered Ophelia chatting with Luna about her new kitten. The two of them had been completely absorbed in the conversation, their voices soft under the hum of departing footsteps.
Soon after, we walked together along the well-worn path that led to the West Tower, our footsteps echoing faintly in the quiet corridor. Somewhere along the way, I driftedโlost in thought, barely noticing the way the torches flickered against the stone walls.
โHey, Audrey, are you even listening?โย Opheliaโs voice cut through my reverie, sharp and mildly irritated. I blinked and realized we were already standing at the entrance of our common room.
โIโno, Iโm sorry. I was just thinking about Vivienne,โ I replied, fumbling for something truthful to say. To be fair, Iย hadย been worried about Vivienneโฆ at least in part.
Ophelia wasnโt convinced. She gave a loud, exaggerated scoff. โOh,ย please. I saw you practically ogling Malfoy earlier.โ
โOgling?โ I repeated, half-offended. โWhy on earth would I be looking atย him?โ
โYou tell me,โ she said, arms crossed. โItโs not like Vivienne wasnโt sitting right next to him.โ
I opened my mouth to reply, but before the argument could escalate, Luna interjected in her usual calm, dreamy tone.
โDonโt argue, you two.โ
I exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck as my gaze fell to the stone floor. I didnโt want to admit that Ophelia mightโve been rightโor that my thoughts were more tangled than I let on.
The bronze eagle knocker stared at us with its unblinking eyes, as regal and imposing as ever. As we approached, it spoke in its smooth, rhythmic tone:
โI fly without wings, I cry without eyes. Wherever I go, darkness flies. What am I?โย
โEasy,โ Ophelia said before I could even open my mouth. โA cloud.โ
The door swung open soundlessly, revealing the circular room bathed in moonlight. The domed ceiling stretched above us like a star-studded sky, the tall arched windows letting in the silvery light that danced across the rich blue rugs and high-backed chairs. Books lay scattered on a nearby tableโlikely abandoned in the rush to dinnerโand the faint smell of parchment and lavender lingered in the air.
I stepped inside, breathing in the cool stillness. It always felt calm in here, like the very walls encouraged thoughtfulness and quiet.
Luna wandered toward the windows, gazing up at the night sky with a soft hum, probably searching for a Thestral constellation or something equally odd. Ophelia flopped into her favorite chair by the fireplace, curling her legs beneath her and casting a sideways glance at me.
โSo,โ she began, picking up a cushion and hugging it, โAre you going to tell me whatโsย reallyย going on, or should I just assume youโre emotionally spiraling over both Vivienneย andย Malfoy?โ
I shot her a look, half amused, half exasperated. โIโm not emotionally spiraling.โ
โMmmhmm,โ she hummed skeptically.
I sat down across from her, feeling the warmth of the fire start to seep into my skin. For a moment, I watched the flames flicker before answering.
โVivienneโs been distant lately. And Malfoyโwell, I donโt like that sheโs mingling with the likes of him.ย
Ophelia sighed. โI guess thatโs what she gets for being in Slytherin.โ
Luna spoke without turning from the window. โSometimes people hide the most important things in plain sight. Like how Nargles love to hide in mistletoe.โ
Ophelia and I watched her confused, โWe areย notย dealing with Nargles, Luna.โ
I couldnโt help but smile faintly, though my mind was still racingโimages of Vivienneโs unreadable expressions, Malfoyโs cool glances, and that persistent sense that something justย wasnโt right.
โWhatever it is,โ I murmured,ย โI have a feeling this year is going to be eventful.โ
โ
The following morning marked the return to the academic grind of Hogwarts. This year, my timetable included several new subjects, and I couldnโt exactly say I was thrilled about all of them. One of the moreโฆย unusualย additions wasย Care of Magical Creatures.ย
For this class, we were assigned a textbook that had nearly taken off my foot the moment I unwrapped it. Iโd had no choice but to subdue it with a leather strap just to stop it from snapping at anything that moved. The whole ordeal left me more than a little uneasy. Vivienne, on the other hand, had been practically glowing with excitement ever since she heard about the class. She kept saying she couldnโt wait to be in third yearโbut seeing the gleam in her eyes as she clutched that dangerous book made me doubt whether that was a good thing or a cause for concern.
As I finished stuffing the unruly textbook back into my satchelโstill squirming faintly beneath the leather strapโI spotted Ophelia weaving her way through the crowd of chattering students from the Gryffindor table . Her dark hair was pinned back neatly today, though a few strands had rebelliously escaped to frame her face. She wore the usual jovial expression that made her seem immune to the chaos around us.
"Let me guessโyourย Monster Book of Monstersย tried to eat you too?" she said, falling into step beside me.
I rolled my eyes. "It went for my foot. I think it has a taste for shoes."
"Charming," Ophelia smirked. "Mine just flung itself off the desk and tried to attack a first-year. I did eventually figure out a way to open it, though. You just have to stroke the spine.โ
โGood grief,โ I exasperated, โAnd you just happened to pet it?โ
โConsidering that it was Hagrid, I wouldnโt put it past him,โ she smiled. Her inclination for befriending deadly books was starting to scare me. โI wonder if I should name it."
I chuckled, and together we began making our way down toward the dungeons, the chill in the stone corridors growing more pronounced with each step. It reminded me of what the notice in the common room had said this morning: Potions. And, judging from the sea of emerald approaching, weโd be sharing the lesson with the Slytherins. Lovely.
The mood shifted as we neared the classroom. There was something about walking into a Potions lesson that felt like descending into the lair of a sleeping dragonโyou had to move carefully, breathe quietly, and for Merlinโs sake, donโt draw attention to yourself. Professor Snape, as usual, adorned the room still with the weight of precise expectations. One wrong move and youโd be coughing up green smoke for days.
We rounded a corner just in time to see the Slytherins already lounging outside the classroom door, looking as smug and polished as ever. Draco Malfoy leaned against the wall, lazily twirling his wand between his fingers while Pansy Parkinson whispered something to him behind a cupped hand. Blaise Zabini cast us a brief glance, his expression unreadable as always, and then returned to whatever quiet conversation he was having with Daphne Greengrass.
Ophelia leaned in. โI wonder if they practice that smirk in the mirror. Itโs almost impressive.โ
โIโm convinced itโs taught in Slytherin orientation,โ I replied under my breath.ย
โRight after โHow to Look Like You Know Everyoneโs Secrets.โโ
The door creaked open at last, and Professor Snapeโs voice echoed from within.
โSettle down, I have very less time to waste.โ
Ophelia and I exchanged a glance,ย here we go again.
We took our usual seats near the middleโclose enough to hear instructions, far enough to avoid the worst of any exploding cauldrons. I settled in, trying to shake the feeling that todayโs lesson would be anything but ordinary.
delphi's notes: The book of monsters just wanting some love is so real. ส๏พโ๏พส
buni's notes: ย i would say stage 1- denial, but for audrey it's more like stage 1, 2, 3- denial and then everything after that is "OH NO"
TABLE OF CONTENTS
next chapter: september 14th, sunday
โ i wanna find you in a crowdjust to hide from youโ
โช so high school
by taylor swift
Opheliaโs Perspective
The five of usโ Harry, Hermione, Ron and Audrey were huddled up together amidst the other students. We all stood close to each other, trying our very best to fight the cold air. Dementors circled the castle, but they were too high up in the sky to do much harm, to my relief.
Nobody said anything as we waited patiently until Hagrid arrived, the carriages pulled by the Thestrals, which were horse-like creatures that could only be seen by people who had witnessed someone dying. To me they were just horseless carriages pulling themselves.
Meeting Hagridโs gaze, I ran up to him and gave him a big hug. I felt his huge arms pat my back affectionately as he said with endearment, โOphelia! Great to see yer!โ
โI missed hanging out with you,โ I said, smiling, glad to see him after three whole months. Hagrid was not only the gamekeeper at Hogwarts, but he also shared my love of animals. I had been in such low spirits when the ministry took him away to Azkaban the previous term. He had been accused of opening the Chamber of Secretsโ which was total rubbish. Hagrid would never do such a thing.
โI need to show you my new pet later,โ I told him fondly, as we began stepping into the carriage. He gave me a big, toothy grin and waved goodbye as he said, โIโll look forward to it, I will!โ
One by one, we stepped into the carriages, which were thankfully nice and warm. The fog was thicker than ever, curling against the glass of the carriage like it wanted in. The castle loomed somewhere ahead, but we were swallowed by mist, tucked into our own little world of creaking wood, swaying lantern light, and silence that buzzed just under the skin.
Harry was the last one to enter, and he took the seat closest to the door, next to me. As he sat down, our knees touched, but he didnโt move away. Instead he met my gaze as if asking a question. So, I answered it by inching just a bit closer to him. I wrung my hands in my lap, and they seemed to have gotten warmer, and I suspected it had little to do with the comfort of the carriage. Audreyโs voice reminded me that Harry and I werenโt alone.
โDid any of you see Vivienne get off the train?โ she was asking us. Everyone gave a murmur of disagreement.
โNo, why?โ I asked.
โItโs just that she took me to meet Pansy and Malfoy andโโ she suddenly stopped speaking as all of our jaws collectively dropped.
โWhat did you just say?โ I remarked in disbelief. Malfoy had been a complete bully to everyone at Hogwarts, but especially Harry, Hermione and Ron. The previous year, he had gone so far as to call Hermione a mudblood. He would never miss a chance to remind Ron that he was poor, or remind Harry his parents were dead, or mock him for any idiotic reason. โWhat kind of company has your sister been keeping, Audrey?โ
โWhy did she want you to meet him?โ Hermione asked, frowning.
โGod knows,โ she scoffed, โShe kept asking if he and I knew each other, if we had any classes together. It was weird as hell. After the dementors left, I kind of stormed off, and she seemed upset, so I wanted to check on her.โ
โIt kind of sounds like she was trying to set you guys up,โ I remarked.
โGod, Audrey,โ Ron said.
โThatโs ridiculous. Thatโs ridiculous,โ Audrey said quickly, her face tightening. โWhy would she even think of that?โ
โIt does sound like that,โ Hermione added.
โBe careful,โ I warned.
โDo I need to remind you Iโm not even interested?!โ
I glanced over at Harry, whose eyes were fixed on his lap. I couldnโt help but notice he seemed to be lostโ like he was physically in the carriage but his brain was elsewhere. I remembered his usual curious and chatty demeanor. This was different. His silence felt heavy, as if there was a storm going on inside his head.
โWhatโs wrong?โ I asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. The touch seemed to bring him back from his trance. He looked up at me, his eyebrows raised in surprise, or confusion. I couldnโt tell which one it was; maybe both.
โHuh?โ he said softly, still a bit disoriented.
โNothing, you just seem quiet,โ I pointed out, โIs something on your mind?โ I noticed my hand still gripping his shoulder, and I moved it away quickly, noticing Hermioneโs intent gaze.
โItโs justโฆโ he struggled to get the words out, โSirius Black. Apparently heโs out to kill me. Ronโs dad told me to be careful.โ
Sirius Black. The name itself sent shivers down my spine. His name was in all the newspapers. There was hardly a witch or wizard who hadnโt heard of him. An image appeared in the back of my mindโ of Sirius Black as he was shown in the newspapers. Wild, unstable, shaking as if trying to release the shackles that bound him. I wanted to say something; something to comfort Harry so that the look of terror from his face would go away. But my words seemed to fail me. I could only sit there, fiddling my thumbs.
โA murderous lunatic after you. Isnโt that business as usual for you?โ Ron commented, a teasing tone to his voice.
โHonestly, Ron, how do you always manage to say the wrong thing at the wrong time?โ Hermione scolded him, slapping his shoulder. Ron shot her a frown and recoiled, acting hurt.
โYouโre not alone, Harry,โ I said, looking right at him. He looked up at me, beady-eyed. I hoped that he could hear the sincerity in my voice.
โSheโs right Harry,โ Hermione said, leaning forward, โHeโd have to get past us first.โ
โDamn, right, he would,โ Audrey joined in.
โPlus, nobody can touch you as long as youโre under Dumbledoreโs roof,โ Ron added, rather helpfully.ย
โAnd if all else fails, weโll throw Scabbers at him,โ I joked.
There was a short, grateful laugh from Harry, and something eased in his shoulders. I felt the lightness in his tone after all the tension. I smiled, but didnโt say anything.
โThanks,โ he said to everyone. But then he turned to me, with a strange, soft look in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth turned up ever so slightly. I felt a pang in my chest. Whatโs happening to me?
The carriage jolted slightly, pulling us out of the mist and toward the grand, looming gates of the castle. The first glimpse of Hogwarts through the thinning fog still took my breath away, even after two years. The turrets and towers rose proudly against the dark sky, their windows glowing like stars, steady and warm.
โI canโt believe weโre back,โ Audrey whispered, her tone softer now, almost reverent.
โThird year,โ Hermione murmured. โThat means more homework.โ
โBrilliant,โ Ron groaned.
The carriage rolled to a stop. The door creaked open with a small shudder, and we all hesitated for a moment before stepping out. Harry got out first, followed by me and then the others.
โDonโt wander off,โ Hermione warned Ron and Audrey as we regrouped on the gravel path. โWe need to stick together. Just in case.โ
The five of us began walking toward the castle entrance. A breeze stirred the hem of my robes, and above us, the sky threatened rain.
I looked up. The dementors were still circling, faint shadows against the clouds. But for the first time since Iโd seen them, I didnโt feel afraid.
Not exactly.
Not with Harry walking beside me.
In the Great Hall
The four long house tables stretched out in the Great Hall like always, but everything looked different than usualโ darker, more grim. The starry ceiling was dusted with drifting clouds, the usual golden candlelight a touch dimmer, as if the castle itself was bracing for the year ahead.
โSee you lot after the feast,โ I told Harry, giving him a soft smile before parting ways.
As I and Audrey followed the sea of blue-trimmed robes toward the Ravenclaw table, I scanned the crowd for a familiar faceโand found her, sitting cross-legged on the bench, completely unfazed by the bustle around her.
โLuna!โ Audrey called, waving.
Luna Lovegood turned slowly, dreamy-eyed as always, a half-smile already forming before we reached her. Her pale, silvery-blonde hair was tucked behind one ear, and she wore her usual butterbeer cork necklace and a slightly mismatched pair of socks that somehow suited her.
โOphelia. Audrey,โ she said serenely, as if weโd only seen her yesterday.
โYou cut your hair,โ I said, sliding into the bench beside her. โIt looks lovely.โ
โOh, thank you,โ she replied vaguely. โDaddy says short hair helps prevent wrackspurts from lingering near your brain.โ
Audrey raised an eyebrow at me, and I stifled a laugh.
โIโll keep that in mind next time I get a haircut,โ she muttered.
Luna leaned forward slightly, her voice turning softer. โThere were dementors on the train, werenโt there?โ
I nodded, and the amusement left her eyes in an instant. โThey donโt like hope. Or happy thoughts. So I try not to let them take mine.โ
Before either of us could respond, the doors to the Great Hall creaked open and the first years began to file in, looking tinier than ever, wide-eyed and jittery. I spotted Vivienne in the Slytherin section across the room, her posture perfect, her chin slightly lifted. But she wasnโt looking our way. Audreyโs eyes, however, were fixed on her, and I sensed something was amiss between the sisters.
Professor McGonagall stood at the front with the Sorting Hat, beginning the annual ritual. The Hatโs song was brief this yearโquieter, more serious. As name after name was called, I found my attention drifting away from the Hat, and to the Gryffindor table next to ours instead.
Harry was sitting between Ron and Hermione, half-listening, his fingers idly tracing patterns into the wooden surface of the table. As if he could feel my gaze, he looked up suddenly. Our gazes met for a fleeting second.
He smiled.ย
Not a grin, just a small, steady thing that felt like it reached across the entire room.
And I smiled back, as if it had been meant just for me.
The last student was sorted, and our headmaster, Professor Dumbledore took the stage, who was known for giving wisdom in the form of cryptic advice and long, yet engaging speeches. I found myself looking forward to his speech this year, as I was always in awe of his oratory skills.ย
He introduced Professor Lupin, who was filling in for the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts. He rose from his seat among the teachers and gave a quick, warm smile before sitting back down.
โAnd in light of our Care of Magical Creatures Professorโs retirement, I am pleased to announce that his post will be taken over by none other than our very own Rubeus Hagrid!โ He smiled as the students gave a round of applause for Hagrid. I clapped louder than ever, and looking over at the Gryffindor table, Harry, Hermione and Ron were doing the same, proud smiles plastered on their faces.
Beside me, Audrey was also clapping, though not as enthusiastically. Her gaze was fixed on the Slytherin table as she strained her neck in search of some familiar face.
โLooking for Malfoy, are you?โ I smirked, elbowing her.
โShut up,โ she snapped, looking annoyed, โIf Harry and the others hear you, Iโll never hear the end of it.โ
At the High Table where all the teachers sat, McGonagall nudged Hagrid to stand up, but immediately regretted it when he knocked all the cutlery off the table. I couldnโt help but giggle as she tugged at his sleeve, asking him to sit back down. Despite being half-giant, Hagrid was quite soft-hearted and playful.
โNo one deserves this post more than him,โ I said proudly. Luna nodded in agreement, and Audrey nodded half-heartedly, as if her mind was still elsewhere.
โNow, as you all may have noticed,โ spoke Dumbledore, โIn light of recent events, the Ministry of Magic has requested that Hogwarts play host to the Dementors of Azkaban until Sirius Black is caught.
Whispers and murmurs broke out, as everybody began speculating and making wild assumptions of what the presence of the Dementors implied.
โThe dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds,โ he stated, a sense of warning laced his voice, โAnd a word of caution: Dementors will not differentiate between those they hunt or those who stand in their way. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving. Therefore I request each and every one of you to give them no reason to get in their way. Though, I have been rest assured that they will not affect our day-to-day activities.โ
He paused for a moment, and whispers broke out in the Hall once again; frightened voices expressed their fear and everyone seemed unsettled by this new addition to the school. I looked over at Harry, whose eyes were fixed on Dumbledore, as if he was wondering what was in store for him this year. I wanted to reach for his hand, tell him it would be alright. But I didnโt. I simply watched him from a distance, hoping, praying that no harm would come to him.
โBut, you know,โ I heard Dumbledore say, โHappiness can be found, even in the darkest of timesโฆ if one remembers to turn on the light.โ
buni's notes: nothing like staring at each other from opposite sides of a crowded room ๐
delphi's notes: ย Luna appreciation yipepee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
next chapter: september 13th, saturday!
โ i wanna take you somewhere so you know i care,but itโs so cold and i donโt know where โ
โช another love
by tom odell
Opheliaโs Perspective
Sirius Black had escaped Azkaban. There was no witch or wizard alive who didnโt shudder at the name, and rightfully so. A man who murdered twelve people in cold blood with countless eyewitnesses was not a man you would want to cross.
But it was the start of yet another term at Hogwarts, which was said to be the safest place in the worldโ according to Dumbledore, anyway. And what had a murderous criminal got to do with a student such as myself? What I didnโt know was how wrong I was about to be proven.
It was once again the first of September; and the unusual chill on the Hogwarts Express and the mysterious man sleeping in our compartment was slightly unsettling, sending goosebumps dancing across my skin.
โWho do you suppose that is?โ Ron asked Hermione, his eyebrows furrowed, fearful eyes squinting at the sleeping man covered with a black robe.ย
There was something strange about the manโs presenceโ not just the cold, but the weariness that clung to him like an old coat. He didnโt look dangerous, but he didnโt look ordinary either.
โProfessor Remus Lupin,โ Hermione stated in her usual matter-of-fact tone.
โHow does she know everything?โ Ron questioned, looking at Harry who was sitting next to me, opposite to Ron. Harry simply shrugged, slightly disinterested in their conversation and spacing out every now and then as he often did.
โItโs written on his suitcase, Ronald,โ she told him, a slight pang of irritation in her voice.
I couldnโt help but chuckle at their playful, almost hostile style of banter, โCanโt believe Iโm saying this, but Iโve actually missed the two of you bickering like this.โ
โWerenโt you complaining about it last term?โ Hermione teased, sounding a little less tense than before.
โI know, thatโs why I can hardly believe the words coming out of my mouth,โ I chuckled, looking out the window. The lush, green scenery I had been used to for the past two years had seemed to have dulled down, as if someone, or something had been sucking the life out of the place.
โI heard you blew up your muggle aunt,โ I said as the thought suddenly popped into my head, turning to Harry.
Harry, who had been staring blankly at the floor, suddenly looked up at me with wide eyes as if I had just read his mind.
โWho told you that?โ he demanded, looking mortified. His embarrassment almost made me regret having said that.
โBloody hell, Harry, how the hell did you manage that?โ Ron asked, his jaw wide open on hearing my sudden revelation.
โI donโt know, I justโ she was insulting my parents, and I felt the anger building up inside me, and before I knew it she grew 3 times in size and floated right out of the window,โ he told Ron, and a slight flush dusted his cheeks. He then turned to me again, eager to know the answer to his earlier question.
โMy auntโs girlfriend is the one who helped cover it up,โ I explained, โShe works in the Ministry of Magic, so I overheard them talking when she came over earlier this week.โ
โWow, thatโs justโโ Harry never completed his sentence, but simply sat there in bewilderment. I chuckled at his expression of awe. It was kind of cute. His hair had grown longer and messier than the previous year, and somehow seemed to frame his face perfectly.
โYou should be careful, Harry,โ Hermione scolded him, โYou could get expelled for something like that.โ
โI canโt always help it, you know,โ Harry said defensively.
โI think itโs brilliant,โ Ron remarked, looking almostย starry-eyed.ย
โPlenty of perks that come with being the chosen one, huh?โ I said, nudging Harry, โGot an annoying aunt? No problem! Just blow her up into one large balloon and sheโll float right out of the window. They should have just let her float into space. Serves her right for dishonouring your parents, Harry.โ
โI suppose it is rather a shame that they fixed her,โ he said, cracking a real smile. Oddly enough, I felt a sense of relief on seeing his lopsided, crooked grin, the faintest sign of his dimples making an appearance. I returned his smile, glad that the tense look on his face had left.
However, it was only temporary, as a look of utter shock returned to his face as the train staggered to a halt. All of us shook violently, and Ronโs pet rat, Scabbers, squealed from inside his jacket. The lights inside the entire train had flickered off, leaving us in complete darkness, apart from a faint light from outside. The muffled, confused voices of the other students aboard the train sounded in my ears.
โWhatโs going on?โ Ron asked, in a tone of absolute terrorโ and I shared this sentiment.
โMaybe weโve broken down,โ Harry suggested, trying to reassure Ron, but also himself.
We turned to look out of the window, and thunder crashed, sending a jolt through my body. I suddenly felt Harryโs hand grip mine, and I turned to look at him. Our eyes met and a look of confusion flashed across his face before he looked down and quietly withdrew his hand, avoiding my gaze.
Clearing my throat, I turned back to the window, which had been covered in an icy fog. The temperature had dropped sharply, as if some unseen hands had ripped away all the warmth in the vehicle. Everything inside the compartment had gone still, even the air felt like it had turned to glass, and the eerie chill felt bone chilling.ย
The door to the compartment rattled open, and thatโs when I turned my head and saw the black cloaked figure move closer. I recoiled in my seat as it advanced. Never in my life had I seen such a terrifying creature. It was inhuman, almost soullessโ and thatโs when I realized that I was face to face with a dementor, and I now understood where it got its name from, as it was truly a demented thing.
Beside me, I heard Harry gasp as the dementor hovered over it. It wasnโt a sharp breath or a shiver, it was something else entirelyโ sharper, as if the creature was sucking the life out of him. It was a most horrifying sight, and I felt the panic rising inside my chest.ย
Before I could think about what I was doing, I grabbed his shoulders, โHarry!โ I said, my voice shaky and panicked, โHarry, whatโs happening?!โ
Just then, Professor Lupin, who had been curled up in a corner all this while, leaped to his feet and pointed his wand at the dementor. A blinding light filled the compartment, and the horrid creature retreated, vanishing like a nightmare sucked into the shadows.
As Professor Lupin lowered his wand, the lights in the compartment flickered on, and I noticed Harryโs limp body beside me. He slumped in his seat, glasses thrown to a side and his face went as white as a ghostโ looking far too pale and still for my liking.
I shifted closer to him, the panic still gripping my body, and I brushed the damp hair from his forehead without even thinking of it. His face was covered in a cold sweat, and I could feel my heart pounding against my ribs.
โHarry,โ I whispered, โHarry, wake up, itโs gone. Harry!โ
Professor Lupin, who was previously seated at the window seat next to me, moved over, crouching on the floor, to take a closer look at Harry. Ron and Hermione were whispering something to each other, but their voices faded to the background as I stared at Harryโs pale face, praying for him to open my eyes so I could rest assured that he was okay.
After a few moments, Harry stirred awake, groaning softly, as he blinked at me, looking dazed and disoriented, โOpheliaโฆโ he whispered, trying to sit up straight, โWhatโฆ what happened?โ From the corner of my eye, I saw Lupinโs eyes fixed on us and a smile flickered across his face before he turned to Harry.
โHave this, itโll help,โ Professor Lupin said to him with a kind smile, handing him a piece of chocolate.
Slowly, Harry shifted his gaze to look at Lupin, and reluctantly accepted the piece of chocolate. โItโs chocolate,โ said the Professor.
โWhat was that?โ he asked, taking a bite out of the chocolate. A sense of relief settled over me as I saw him behaving normally like before.
โThat,โ began Professor Lupin, โWas a dementor. One of the guards of Azkaban. It was on the train looking for Sirius Black. But not to worry, itโs gone now.โ He stood up and walked out the door, stopping one last time to tell Harry, โEat. Youโll feel better.โ
I once again turned to Harry, โAre you alright now?โ I asked him, the panic still lingering in my voice.
โYeah, yeahโฆ Iโm fine now,โ he replied, meeting my gazeโ still looking uncertain, but I was glad he was breathing normally again.
โYeah, mate, you nearly gave Ophelia a heart attack,โ Ron teased, and the red flush on my face had nothing to do with the biting cold.
โShut up Ronald,โ I snapped at him, my tone slightly playful yet defensive.
โYou were really that scared?โ Harry asked with a hint of a smirk on his face. But as he saw my eyes filled with worry, his smile dropped and for a moment the joking mask slipped from both our faces. Something unspoken passed between usโ it was new, filled with uncertainty, but it came with a kind of warmth I had never experienced before.
โYou looked like you were about to die, Potter, I swear,โ I insisted, furrowing my brows.
Across from us, Ron was watching with a strange expression on his faceโ equal parts confusion and amusement. He nudged Hermione lightly with his elbow.
โTheyโre doing that thing again,โ he muttered, not very subtly.
Hermione glanced up from where she was repacking her bag, eyebrows raised.
โWhat thing?โ
โThe thing where they talk like itโs just the two of them and the rest of us are background props.โ
Hermione gave him a lookโ half exasperated, half knowing and shook her head. โHonestly, Ronald, itโs called empathy. You should try it sometime.โ
But then her gaze lingered. Her lips parted like she was going to say something, then thought better of it.
โI heard screaming,โ Harry confessed in a hushed voice, as if he was only speaking to me. He looked up to meet my eyes, โA womanโs voice. I think it wasโฆ I think it was my mum.โ
The words hit the air like glass shattering softly. I didnโt know what to say โ nothing seemed big enough, gentle enough, true enough.
โOh, Harry,โ was all I could say. The hundreds of things I wanted to say to him brewed like a storm in my mind.
I reached over and our fingers brushed against each other.
He didnโt pull away.
His thumb ghosted over my knuckles once โ so light I thought I imagined it โ then again, like he wasnโt sure he was allowed to.
โYou pulled me out of it,โ he said quietly. โWhen I couldnโt breathe.โ
My heart was doing that awful, traitorous thing โ loud and clumsy in my chest, like it wanted him to notice. I forced out a laugh to cover it.
โI think I screamed your name like five times and grabbed your shoulders like a maniac.โ
โIt worked.โ
He smiled thenโ crooked and tired, that stupidly endearing half-smile that always made something twist behind my ribs. His dimple appeared, subtle and faint, but there.
Hermione cleared her throat, and I withdrew my hand and looked away at once.
The train was starting again, the rattling of its wheels against the tracks filled the air once more, but I wasnโt paying attention to any of that, no. All I could think about was how Harry had slowly, but surely shifted closer to me, our arms touching ever so slightly. And for the first time in that entire train ride, I felt a kind of warmth filling up my body.
buni's notes: YAY chapter one! delphi and i have been working like house elves to finish this chapter and not get sidetracked, so i'm super happy that this is finally out. don't forget to comment! we'd love to hear your thoughts <3
xo
TABLE OF CONTENTS
next chapter: september 6th, saturday!
๐โยฐ๏ฝกโ Gracie Abrams as ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
โ nothing happened in the way i wanted,
every corner of this house is haunted. โ
โ .ห ๐ผ Megan Fox as ๐จ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐
โ who knows if i never showed up
what could've been? โ
โหโก Daniel Radcliffe as ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐
โ all i did was try my best
is this the kind of thanks i get? โ
โห๐ Tom Felton as ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ ๐ณ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐
โ who could ever leave me, darling?
but who could stay? โ
ห เผ เณ Nina Dobrev as ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ณ๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐
โ if you say i'm too much,
baby, go find less. โ
โงโหโช Rennรฉ Rapp as ๐ฑ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐
โ leave me alone, bitch
i wanna have fun. โ
ึดห เผเผเฟ Milo Manheim as ๐น๐๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐
โ i know i could treat you better,
better than he can. โ
DISCLAIMER:
We doย notย support J.K. Rowlingโs homophobic/transphobic views; this fic explicitly rejects them.
แด แดสแดสษช's ษดแดแดแดs: Enemies of the heir beware,
If I find out our story is being plagiarized and published anywhere else (we only publish on tumblr and ao3), I will send the basilisk after you. you have been warned.
@the-one-and-only-delphi
สแดษดษช's ษดแดแดแดs: fyi, this is going to be a three part series, which means that we've divided the story into three separate books of which this is the first. so, i just hope you enjoy reading this more than we did writing it, because best believe it involved a LOT of bloodshed (hence the title.
Enemies of the heir beware,
If I find out our story is being plagiarized and published anywhere else (we only publish on tumblr and ao3), I will send the basilisk after you. you have been warned.
hello! delphi and buni here! we write fanfics for several fandoms such as harry potter, bsd, jjk and moriarty the patriot. make sure to follow this account for updates on our joint works <3
new joint account with @the-one-and-only-delphi where we will be posting fanfic content, so stay tuned! there's a lot of exciting stuff coming up so fingers crossed that i actually commit to it hehe.
discoholicmusic
2087
snowghoul
stormborns
janainaart
gummygunk
