Harry Potter PHCs

Request away. Friendship/romance, Marauders, Golden Trio or Next Gen, anything goes. No smut- it's all SFW here.

[hpphcs]

THIS BLOG IS GOING ON HIATUS.

I'm not sure when it'll be off hiatus.

Bless all of you for sticking with me for a while.

Thank you.

And if this is goodbye, you have been amazing.

[hpphcs]

From the very beginning, it was obvious that Scorpius Malfoy would be one of the most sought-after boys in Hogwarts. Handsome, charming, soft-spoken and charismatic, he was just like his father, only without the condescending arse side of his personality. The classic Malfoy arrogance still stuck, but the boy was making a conscious effort to change it.

Especially when he noticed Lily Luna Potter had a great disdain for the arrogant. From the start it had been all about her (to the disappointment of many fellow Hogwarts students). Like Dom had said once, Scorpius would probably take a troll down alone for Lily. It had been like that since first year, and it hadn't change a bit seven years on. 

Lily, as far as the issue was concerned, had been amused for most of the time. She hadn't developed rather romantic feelings for Scorpius, although flattered, and she hadn't pursued anything further. At least not until their final year, during the annual Weasley Christmas reunion, when the cousins were all gathered outside Shell Cottage, and Dom pulled Lily aside.

"You're not going to go after Scorp?"

Lily had stared at her, surprised. "No, why?"

"The boy's crazy about you, Lily," Her cousin had answered mischievously. "Why not just make his entire month by going out on one small date with him? You could just go to Honeydukes or something. Just have fun! You might like him, and even if you don't, it'd be a friendly thing."

"Well..." Lily had considered, then shrugged. "Okay, what could it do?"

And that was how the next Weasley gathering, Scorpius was at the dinner table as Lily's boyfriend. It had caused some slight uproar- Ron had only just begun to (grudgingly) try and get along with Draco, and the sight of Scorpius at the table had brought him to a near-faint. Lily had also been aware of Rose's glower from across the table, unable to get comfortable during the entirety of the dinner. Albus had been torn between being happy for his sister and viewing Rose as much better suited for Scorpius than Lily, having known his best friend for years. 

It wasn't going to be a pleasant reunion. 

[hpphcs]

Ice Queen and Snow King. That were the first nicknames that Eliana and Scorpius had gotten when they first stepped through the doors of Hogwarts. Scorpius had tried to be nice when he'd first come to Hogwarts, but by the time the fifth taunt had been hurled his way he'd snapped and given it up. Eliana had arrived deciding to be freezing cold to everyone, but she'd found it hard to keep up and eventually the act had just dissolved into being herself. Surprisingly, and to Scorpius' annoyance, she was rather well-liked. The pair were rather at odds, with Scorp now hanging out with Rose and refusing to speak to anyone else. 

Still, she had to thank him for it. It had been through Rose that Eliana had gotten to know her cousin, James Sirius. Playful, mischievous, witty and really very handsome. The time when they'd gone for their first Hogsmeade outing, Rose and James had insisted on a reluctant Scorpius coming with them, and Rose had put a firm foot down and dragged Eliana along too. "You won't regret it, I tell you."

Eliana hadn't. The trip out with James had been one of the most fun experiences she'd ever had, and Eliana had extended a silent thank-you to Rose's shrewd perception and uncanny matchmaking skills. 

"What's green and has wheels?"

"I don't know, James."

"Grass. I lied about the wheels."

"James, that's awful."

"Want to hear another one?"

"No."

"Why did Sarah fall off the swing?"

"Stop, for Merlin's sake."

"She had no arms."

"That's horrible."

"Knock knock."

A mock-grudging "Who's there?"

"Not Sarah."

Eliana had burst out laughing, unable to hold back, and the boy had given her a crooked charming half smile.

That was the moment she realized she had quite the crush on James. 

[hpphcs]

"I don't want to go out I don't want to go out I don't-"

"Would you rather finish your Charms homework?" Cedric teased Tessa, pecking her on the cheek as she fell silent, sulking. "The cold isn't that bad. And snow is fun, Tess." 

The Gryffindor stamped her foot and sent a cloud of soft, fluffy fresh snow flying, shivering and jumping a little to make herself feel warmer. "It's cold! It's freezing! I could be nice and warm in the common room!" 

Cedric rolled his eyes, bending down to scoop a snowball into his hands. "Yeah, by the fire, nice and warm, doing your homework, Pussy-cat. Come on, Tess- it'd be fun if you'd just be a sport. We can make snowmen, or have a snowball fight, make snow angels... anything!" 

"Snowball fight, eh," Tessa's voice took on a mischievous, wicked tone and Cedric turned around too late, getting a snowball right smack in the middle of his back. The slush began to drain off, and he glared at her in mock-irritation as Tessa fell onto the ground laughing. 

"You did want to come out!" Cedric folded his arms, staring down at her. 

"You deserved that, calling me Pussy-Cat again. You annoying prat." Tessa sighed in pleasure, lying back and making snow angels. "Mm, this is nice."

Cedric shook his head in defeat and lay down right beside her. "Pussy-Cat, you're impossible." It was swiftly followed by an "ow" as Tessa stretched out one arm and slapped his shoulder. "Ahem."

"If you get up here and make a snowman with me right now I might consider not calling you that anymore," Cedric winked at his girlfriend. "Up for that?" 

Tessa rolled her eyes, but within moments the pair were up, flinging snow at each other while trying in vain to be serious about the snowman, as the flakes fell from the sky. 

[hpphcs]

Nylah pushed a stubborn stray lock of hair back behind her ear, abashed as she puzzled over her Herbology homework and gave Neville an apologetic glance. "I'm really sorry you have to take time out to help me."

The Gryffindor blushed, scratched his head and smiled, embarrassed. "No, it's fine, really," He stammered a little, turning even redder. "I'm always happy to help." Neville sat down and looked over the Herbology assignment with her. "Three essay questions isn't that bad; where are you stuck?" 

"Well, it's the second one- I can't properly discuss this..."

The time dragged on with Neville patiently explaining his way through the subject and the points Nylah ought to cover in her essay, pointing out common mistakes and showing her how to organize it. She couldn't believe he was actually taking his precious time out to help her, when she was completely inept, struggling, and probably the worst Herbology student in the history of ever. 

It wasn't till two hours later when Nylah had finally gotten her entire essay- all three of them- out in words and Neville seemed rather tired, but still had a genial smile on his face, pleased that she'd finally finished the homework. 

"Thank you for the help," Nylah wanted nothing more than to apologize profusely. She felt terrible for making him sit by her and help. 

"It's all right really." Neville laughed, amusement obvious in his voice. "I mean... I don't mind helping someone I really, really like." He looked away nervously, tugging at his collar and letting out a tense laugh. Nylah cocked her head and gazed at him, and in one swift motion pressed a quick peck on his lips as a thank you, smiling at him. "Thanks, Nev. You're the best."

The way his eyes lit up was brilliant as he gave her a big hug. "You're the best, too."

[hpphcs]

"I'm not going to the dungeons." One voice rang out from the Slytherin table even as the chatter in the hall was beginning to rise in volume once more. Everyone immediately fell silent and turned to stare at the brave speaker, a long-haired Slytherin girl who had stood up and shouted the six words at the top of her lungs.

"Sarah!" Someone by her side grabbed at her arm. "What are you doing?"

The girl stood firm, refusing to back down. "Why do we all get sent to the dungeons? Who's to say that I-" She jabbed at her chest. "Am not against Voldemort, too? If Hogwarts wants me I will fight to the death against him!"

The Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables were shocked into stunned silence, turning to look at each other with various expressions- astonishment, confusion, horror, even appreciation, and the most surprising thing was that the same thing was being played out at the Slytherin one. Sarah was glaring around the table, looking meaningfully at her fellow Slytherins. "Do none of you agree? Because I will stand alone and fight if I need to!"

"I agree!" A mere third-year, from the looks of his scrawny body and thin frame, jumped to his feet and stared his seated housemates down. "I will fight against Voldemort!" He looked at the Gryffindor table, eyes set. "You will need all the help you can get, no?"

Silence settled across the Great Hall, with even Professor McGonagall looking uncertain, before more Slytherins began calling their approval and joining Sarah. More than half the Slytherins were still seated, expressions blank and cold, but it was enough for Professor McGonagall to relent. While majority of the Slytherins still made the way out of the Great Hall, a few stayed- enough to significantly increase the fighting force. The Gryffindors were still regarding the Slytherins with some suspicion, and their was a heated discussion amongst the Ravenclaws, although the Hufflepuffs looked pleased enough, nodding to the Slytherins in a respectful, almost friendly manner. 

"We will defeat Voldemort, together, as one Hogwarts!" 

[hpphcs]

4 HOURS BEFORE SHOWTIME

"No-one's watching, are they, Wormtail?"

Peter peered around again and shook his head. "Coast is clear."

Sirius grinned and opened the door into Lily's dorm room, taking a peek around. "Good, so here's the plan. Lily'll be back in two hours or so, and then we'll throw James in, and..." he waved his wand with a grand flourish, mischievous glint in his eyes. "They really need to get a move on."

Remus stopped himself from rolling his eyes. This was going to go wrong, somehow or another. "How are you going to stop Lily from just using Alohomora on the door and then coming out to strangle you?"

His friend frowned at him, hands on hips. "I thought that was your part of the plan. Aren't there spells to stop her doing that?"

Yes, Petrificus Totalus, Remus wanted to snap. "Well... I can try something. All of you get in here before we get found out."

"Good on you, Moony."

2 HOURS BEFORE SHOWTIME

"MERLIN, MOONY!" 

"You were the one who came up with the plan in the first place," Remus grumbled, scratching his head in confusion. "Wormtail, any ideas?"

Sirius paced furiously around the dorm. "So we've just locked ourselves in? What are we supposed to do? Why doesn't Alohomora work?"

"Because the whole scheme worked... except we didn't get out before finishing the spell, maybe." 

"I don't believe this." The black-haired Gryffindor sat down and raised his eyes to the air. "Lily and James won't be back for ages. What are we supposed to do, break the window and jump out?"

Silence settled over the room as the three boys looked glumly at each other. They were well and truly stuck. 

SHOWTIME (or what should have been)

Lily frowned after trying her door a few times and turned to glare at James. "Is this one of your tricks?"

The boy shook his head frantically, raising his hands in surrender. "I have no idea, really."

Lily huffed and stomped on the floor, banging loudly on the door in frustration. "OI! Whoever's in there, let me in, now!"

"Lily!" Remus' voice came faintly from within. "Lily, we're stuck!"

"Oh Merlin," The redhead threw up her hands. "Who's we? Why are you stuck?"

"IT'S ME! SIRIUS! AND REMUS AND PETER!" James and Lily flinched at the sheer volume. "WE GOT STUCK, AND IT'S A LONG STORY! CAN YOU LET US OUT?"

"WHY ARE YOU EVEN IN MY DORM ROOM?!" Lily shouted back as loudly as she could manage.

"Could you let us out first?" Remus, ever the voice of reason, pleaded. 

Lily swung around to glare daggers at James. "Don't even try and tell me you aren't in cahoots with them."

"I swear, I'm not!" 

"HE'S NOT!" Sirius' booming voice came back. "LILY, PLEASE LET US OUT!"

Lily gritted her teeth, trying Alohomora on the door. It wasn't working. "Why doesn't Alohomora work?!"

"We don't know!" Peter's desperate voice piped up. "Can you get Dumbledore to help, or something?"

James grinned, his smooth personality coming right back on as he put his arm around Lily. "Come on, Evans, let's go get some help."

Lily, completely furious and incensed, shrugged his arm off her shoulders violently and began to storm off. James chased after her, quickly falling back into step with her. "Awh, come on, Evans, it's not my fault. Don't be angry with me. I'll buy you candy this weekend at Honeydukes."

"Oh, shut up, Potter," She growled, but she couldn't keep the amusement out of her voice. Just like James Potter, to find something funny in the worst situations. "Let's just get your friends out of my dorm room immediately."

[hpphcs]

For Nightmarius

I am so, so sorry that this is incredibly late due to exams and things!

DRAMIONE

It would be a bad idea to talk about how they had landed up in the massive freezer, and even though Draco knew it was completely his fault he was not about to admit this to Hermione Granger anytime soon. Disapparating from inside seemed to be pointless; there was some sort of magic holding them within. Surely, though, someone would end up finding them in the end. Draco was confident of it; Hermione, not so much. She was also finding it productive to carry on lecturing him about stupidity, ego, etc etc. Finally the Malfoy couldn't stand it any longer- it was bad enough being stuck here without their wands or any other things that could possibly get them out, and the idiot Gryffindor had to keep going on about it. 

"By Salazar, Granger, do shut up." 

Hermione glared at him full-force. "If it wasn't for you-"

"You wouldn't be here, yes." Draco sighed heavily. "Why don't you use that brain of yours to find some way for us to stay warm or get out of here instead?"

His companion frowned, seeing the wisdom in the suggestion. There was a blessed silence for a minute, before she spoke up again. "There is a good way- a tried and tested one- to conserve warmth, you know- it works on the principles of-"

"Save it, Granger, what is it?" Draco stammered out as brashly as he could- not very, since his teeth were beginning to chatter from the effects of the cold. 

"Sharing body heat. People do it especially in large groups; huddling together so they won't lose heat easily." She gave him a meaningful look. "If you want to, we can do that. It'll keep us warmer for longer."

Draco blanched. Essentially it was cuddling. Cuddling. With the Gryffindor. With the Mudblood! Okay, perhaps he liked her. A little. Sort of. No, he didn't, not really, I mean, he was a Slytherin. Slytherins were at war with Gryffindors. Right? He squirmed uncomfortably, staring at Hermione. Then again, it was for the sake of self-preservation. He was beginning to feel numb to the bone, even tucked under his thick robes; if frostbite set it that was the end of them. It might be a good idea.

"OK," He agreed reluctantly, sidling over to her. "Good idea."

He had to admit it was a nice feeling, even making him feel a little warmer on the inside. He even dared to put an arm around Hermione under their coats after a while. He could get used to this- just maybe without the gelid environment. 

And then she fell asleep on his shoulder, and things got a teensy bit more awkward.

Especially when they were found ten minutes after that, and when the door was wrenched open, the first thing Draco quickly yelled was "it's not what it looks like!"

DREVILLE

Even after all this time, Draco gets skittish whenever he's vulnerable. The last time someone crept up behind him intending to give him a fright, he broke the poor kid's finger's after turning around at the first touch of hand on shoulder and bending said hand backwards to defend himself. It's something he's developed after the War, being left to re-establish the Malfoy name after the atrocities committed under Voldemort's rule. The whispers, stares, the constant gossip he's been surrounded by... it's just made him incredibly wary. So when he hears footsteps behind him while he's working on some high-level Herbology stuff, his first reaction is to grab his wand and turn around at lightning speed, mouth open to cast Petrificus Totalus if needed.

Neville stands there calmly, never batting an eyelid. The blond-haired young man breathes a long sigh of relief, replacing his wand where it should be. "Don't sneak up on me like that."

"Your door was open, I walked in," Neville points out mildly, smiling as he approaches Draco. "How is it going?"

Draco grunts, frustrated. "You're the Herbology professor; can't you help?"

"That's why I came in. You might find this beneficial." He fishes a packet of seeds out of his pocket and hands it to Draco, who raises an eyebrow. "These are Muggle plant seeds. What am I supposed to do with them?"

Neville grins playfully. "Okay, so maybe they're not very relevant... but you'll like what you see when you open it."

Arching an eyebrow, Draco rips the packet open and unceremoniously dumps its contents onto the table. For a moment his eye sweeps over the seeds, unimpressed, and then his breath catches.

"Oh!" 

"Indeed. Pretty creative approach, don't you think?" Neville plucks the slightly ostentatious ring from the pile of seeds. "I was going to just put these as a bookmark in your Herbology texts but I thought you might throw them away."

Draco smiles affectionately, face softening as Neville places the ring on his finger without much ceremony; they both know what it means. "You know me too well." 

Neville nods, agreeing. "I do. And for that I'm spending the rest of my life with you."

[hpphcs]

Hi! Could I get an PHC with a Slytherin named Julia getting beat up by some of the other Slytherins for being on the gryffindor's side? Thanks.

Hey there. This looks like a great prompt, and I'm sorry there's a delay- but I need a clarification. Gryffindor's side? In what? Quidditch? The war? Sorry about that, but I need a context ><

[hpphcs]

Louis&Lucy with 3 kids, the older is going to Hogwarts for the first time. They're my favorite incest ship sorry if you hate incest but I love them!!!! :)

It was, as usual, chaotic at Platform 9 and 3/4 on the first day back at Hogwarts, what with all the hubbub- first-years nervous and excited at the same time, apprehensively clinging on to parents or older siblings, numerous seventh-years calling out to old friends with the occasional sideswipe and smack on the head while they went to find their carriages, and parents shouting at their children about things they’d left behind. 

Especially for one Weasley couple, who had three children in tow, their eldest going to Hogwarts for the very first time. Carmen Weasley was consistently getting lost in the crowd, running around to take a look at everything and trying to catch glimpses of her elder cousins, waving furiously at her parents to catch up. Louis had Alma in his arms, struggling to catch up with his eldest daughter, and Lucy was yelling in vain at Thaddeus to please stop running off like your sister! 

“Carmen, Carmen!” The familiar voice of the younger Weasley’s cousins Vincent and Melody called from on board the train. “Come on, we saved a spot for you!” 

The first-year dashed up onto the train to meet the other fourth-generation Weasleys, leaving Louis and Lucy shaking their heads, exasperated. 

“Runs in the family, impulsiveness.”

“Your side or my side?” Louis had grinned and nudged his wife, who laughed. It was a common joke they shared, since they came from the same bloodline.

The train was due to leave, and Louis and Lucy waved a little tearfully as their daughter, nephews and nieces began to leave to Hogwarts, waving and shouting all the while. 

“They’re growing up so fast.” Lucy stroked Alma’s head lovingly. “Soon, they’ll all be off.”

Louis kissed Lucy’s forehead tenderly. “And life goes on.”

[hpphcs]

"You know something?" Rose stood up to get everyone's attention at the table again. "Since Louis and Lucy are telling you... we'll say something too!" 

"What, you have dating news too?" Ron exclaimed, not in the most pleased way, while everyone just groaned and rolled their eyes. "Rose, spare us the theatrics. We all already know."

The redhead blinked, thrown off. "What?" She exchanged a panicked look with Scorpius, who shrugged in similar confusion.

Hugo answered for the family, twirling spaghetti lazily around his fork. "Everyone with half a brain knows you're dating Scorpius. It's not like you did a fantastic job of hiding it. Ooooh, Scorpius this, ooooh, Scorpius that," Her younger brother mimicked her uncannily, making Rose turn as red as her namesake and the whole table burst out into laughter. 

Only Ron, as usual, seemed to be in the dark. He looked at Hermione helplessly. "You knew Rose was dating Scorpius and you didn't tell me?"

"I didn't know your dull-wittedness went that far, Ronald," Hermione sighed patiently, waving at the table. "Everyone knew. Naturally, I assumed word had gotten round to you. Evidently, I assumed wrong." 

Rose was suddenly very relieved and grateful for her how blur her father was. The attention was off her and Scorpius just as fast as it had been put on them, and instead the Weasleys were now occupied with teasing Ron. She let out a quick sigh and thanked Merlin, sitting down. 

"Hey!" Her mother's whisper and prod from her side startled her. "Just because everyone knew doesn't mean I'm not going to have a quick talk with you and Scorpius later." The amusement in Hermione's voice reassured Rose and Scorpius, but they still knew it would not be the most pleasurable talk in the world. 

With a sigh, Rose cursed herself for ever having brought the topic up, and glumly went back to her spaghetti and meatballs. 

[hpphcs]

an old something I found in my drive! i owe someone a request, and I'll get around to it once I'm done with homework :)

I'm watching Bill Weasley putting the ring on your finger and my heart clenches. I grow cold, and my blood turns to ice. I know I mean nothing to you. That night, you were just using me, just needed one night when nobody was around. I was just a substitute for Bill, nothing more. But I was stupid. Stupid enough to actually believe those sugar-laden words that fell from your lips, stupid enough to pine over you, stupid enough to keep thinking about you. I try to kid myself every day that I'm not. That I'm not in love with you. But one quick grin, and I'm putty in your hands. One soft touch, and I'm melting to the floor. Every single night. The same dream, and it's you, always you, and I know I can never fall in love again, because you'll always be there, lurking in my subconscious, haunting me forever. Always. Remus' hand on my shoulder, steering me to our seat. He's married me- it was expected. He loves me, I know he does... but how could he ever match up to you, Fleur? I'll never love him the way he loves me... but I'll never have you, anyway. I'll never be able to feel your skin pressed next to mine, your lips touching my own, fingers tangled in my hair, ever again. It'll be Bill from now on, Bill, nobody but him. Remus leaves the table to talk to Harry and Ron. I close my eyes. As long as you live- no, as long as I live- it'll never be right. I love you desperately, to extents words cannot describe, you- "Cher Nymphadora?" I open my eyes. Only a few people I allow calling me that- not even Remus. I am alone with you, the bridge, with your dazzling smile and your lovely eyes, passing my table as you visit everyone here. "Hello, Fleur." I struggle to keep myself calm. "Thank you for coming." You say in that flawless accent of yours. You touch my shoulder, whisper "merci beaucoup" into my ear, kiss my cheek quickly, and then leave to the next table. I watch as you go, the pain deepening inside me. Oh, Fleur... With that, I am broken all over again.

[hpphcs]

Louis prodded Lucy lightly in the ribs as he turned to look at her in the rays of the setting sun. "You're thinking about something."

"Mmmmhm."

"What're you thinking about?" 

Lucy's brow furrowed, and a troubled frown played across her features. "I don't know how to tell you this..." Louis squeezed her hand in a reassuring gesture and she tried to force a smile onto her face, but failed. "Lou, I think... I might be pregnant." 

"Ah." He stopped short, running twitching fingers through his hair. "Oh dear..."

"What do we do now?" Lucy asked him, a little fearful and apprehensive. "Mum and Dad might kill me... I mean, we're only 19, and I don't know if... do you think we should run? We could go to the Muggle world, you know, we could... find some way to make it." Louis stayed silent for a long while, and Lucy tugged on his shirt. "Louis, please say something."

"No, we won't run." He answered her calmly. "We're going to face our parents, Luce- we'll show them and our baby we can be great parents, too. We learnt from the best. Don't worry." He hugged her tightly. "We can do this." 

Lucy nodded against his chest and listened to his steady heartbeat. "We can do this."

"Together."

[hpphcs]

After Scorpius and Rose happily pranced out to Floo to Malfoy Manor and report to Draco and Astoria, Hermione and Ron both collapsed into their respective chairs in the living room, in a haze of shock and disbelief. Hermione could still see Rose as the tiny baby she'd held like a jewel in her arms, who she'd fretted about when she'd gotten sick, who she'd watched, tearfully, go off to Hogwarts for the very first time, while Ron was feeling a bit overwhelmed at the fact that Scorpius was, after all, the one who'd been entangled in the infamous misunderstanding with ended up with Scorpius upchucking slugs in an eerie parallel to his father years ago. And now his little girl was marrying him?

"Well." Ron shook his head in amazement. "Our little girl has grown up, hasn't she?" He put his arm awkwardly around Hermione, whose eyes were filled with tears. 

"I can still see her as a child..." Hermione sighed wistfully, resting her head on his shoulder. "Soon it might be Hugo; then what would we do then? Time is passing so fast." 

Ron tried to reassure her. "There's no need to think so far ahead, you know. For now, why don't we concentrate on planning the wedding and such, and the fact that we're soon-to-be-in-laws to Draco Malfoy?"

Hermione let out a loud groan. "Don't start that again..." 

"Start what again?" Her husband answered, this time teasingly. She threw a pillow at him, and they began a pillow fight, deciding to put everything else off until tomorrow, and just take their minds off things for now.

[hpphcs]

Hello Potterheads! I know things have been very stagnant on the HC front :( and two requests are sitting in my inbox :( but I'll get them done by today GMT+8 :) I promise! 

Meanwhile, are there are any Warriors fans around here?

[hpphcs]

"Who's the victim this time?" Harry asked in a deadpan manner, the grin on his face betraying his real amusement considering the situation. 

"What victim?" Victoire asked innocently, even though everyone knew that she was the one who had started the tradition that everytime the Weasleys got together, they'd arrow one of the youngest generation and tease them continuously about who they were dating, which was only done when they knew that the person was going out, even if they didn't know who with- because that was where the real fun was. 

"LOUIS!" Lily yelled loudly from the end of the table. 

"Jury requires proof that Louis Weasley is dating," Dominique said in a mock-haughty tone.

Lily smiled wickedly at the panicking boy across her. "I saw you with a girl at Hogsmeade. I couldn't identify her, but I know you were being all mushy." 

An appreciative 'ooh' rose around the table, and even the older Weasleys raised their eyebrows, especially Fleur and Bill, who were looking equal parts proud and confused. 

Louis looked like he wanted to dig a hole beneath him and disappear forever, casting a dirty glare at his cousin. "Um... yeah... I... am." 

The Weasleys were not used to a quick confession, and Victoire was thrown for a moment before she leaned over into her brother's face and went on with the inevitable "so who?" 

"Girl or boy?" Rose chimed in.

"Girl. Uh, actually, you all know her-"

"LOUIS, STOP PROLONGING THE TORTURE." A voice spoke up where it hadn't been heard before, and the whole family turned to look at Lucy Weasley, who was bright red but had her chin lifted in a show of confidence and defiance. "Louis and I are dating." 

There was complete silence. You could hear a pin drop, only it wasn't a pin, but Molly Weasley's soup spoon into the soup she had been doling out into Ron's bowl. 

"Well." Victoire cleared her throat with an expression of disbelief still flush on her face. The tension could have been cut up, put into the oven and served up for breakfast.

In a desperate attempt to lighten the atmosphere, Louis threw a bad joke in hurriedly. "Well well. What a lot of water."

That broke the silence, and everyone started chuckling. Teddy slapped Louis on the back with an enthusiastic cheer of congratulations, and Molly was eyeing her sister with a "tell me everything later" look. The dinner went back to as it were, and Louis and Lucy grinned at each other. Everything had gone better than expected.

[hpphcs]

It was bound to have happened, and soon after the other Weasleys left to head down to the beach, Fleur began to regret staying in Shell Cottage with Angela and George. She had stolen away into the kitchen to look through her recipes and decide what to make for lunch the next day, but George and Angie had decided to plonk themselves on the kitchen counter behind her and read out the foods she was planning to make, and she doubted they were doing it on purpose, but they were being acutely trying. 

"Fowgars." Angie tried, doing her best not to crack up. "What's a blankooet der view?" 

"Cram broolee." George squinted as Fleur flipped to the desserts page in exasperation. "Looks good." 

"Tres bien." Angie tried good-humouredly, not realizing she'd pronounced that wrongly too. Fleur was trying her best to hold her tongue, but she was getting rather aggravated, and her head was beginning to ache in a most familiar way. 

The Frenchwoman sat through an admirable fifteen more minutes trying to tune Angie and George out, while mentally running through their available ingredients and weighing what foods would go well together, before George's "chookrot garmee" finally sent her over the edge. She spun around and fixed them with a glare. "Excusez-moi! Eef I could pozzibly trouble you to garder le silence!" 

George and Angie jumped back in surprise, before Angie quickly babbled out an apology. "Sorry, Fleur, I didn't realize we were bothering you. We'll go amuse ourselves instead."

"Merci." She answered cordially, turning back to the book, before pausing and looking back at the pair who were scurrying out of the kitchen. "Also, 'tres bien' ees not pronounzed tres bien licerally. It is 'trehbien."

"Oh." George and Angie glanced at each other. "Yes, Fleur."

"Oui." She relished the silence that filled the kitchen once the disruptive pair had left... for a while, before she realized it was a little lonely. She stood up, recipes decided, and got the ingredients out before yelling to Angie and George. "Ahnjela, George, would you like to, zay, help me out in ze kitchen?"

The pounding of footsteps in her direction made her smile, and she got the things ready.