18 | Hufflepuff/Wampus | She/Her | Want to be: Auror/Professor/Muggle Teacher | Quidditch Player | INFJ-T | Leo/WaterHorse/Salmon | Fan of Toyohashi Tengu | Chinese Fireball all the way~
And that's it guys, I finally reached 369(+) followers on this blog now and idk but so much happy that people actually really... interested in my stuffs (even though 95% never interact with, still 😏)
So as always of me, I want to do the gift.
Yes, gift again, because I found this extremely cute party chibi base and I want to draw MCs based on this.
Marvelous, right???? 😆
Ok but everything needs rule. Please do follow the rules of mine or else I don't care if you think I'm selfish or stuffs. The one who have right to cancel everything is also me too.
Rules
Must follow me @kyril-hphm blog
Reblog this post to enter the raffle
One person per One MC only
Oh yeah it's for HPHM fandom only too! Don't being so extra for ppl who aren't in the fandom but entering this. Not funny, dudes 😏
DONT CHOOSE THE SPOT YET unless you're raffle winner (which I'll put the online doc later)
I'll pick the winner via random number generator/name picker app
The number on winner will be 11 MCs because, you think it's reasonable for me to not draw my dearest bby in the pic? Right? lol 😜
I have all rights to cancel this project anytime. Please understand me I'm in real life, a very busy adult with big responsibility...
So, if anyone understand that, feel free to enter! The deadline for reblog-to-enter will be 29 Aug 2020 14:00 GMT+7 because that's my birthday and birth time XD
Thank you so much everyone, for visiting and at least give your love to me and my blog and contents. It made me happy to see ppl enjoy my stuffs 💚💙
She likes Quidditch ever since she started watching even if she is a muggle-born.
Her favorite Quidditch Team is the Toyohashi Tengus, because of their determination and the way they treat the game with honor. She had a Tengu mask that she kept around in her dorm and the Team flag back at her province.
Every time she had her own broom, she would carve the handle into what looks like a serpentine dragon and called it “Bakunawa”. Since that her father is a Muggle craftsman and engineer she learned how to maintain ultimate care for her broom, which then she unconsciously in instinct used her broom as a bat to hit quaffles as a Keeper due to how sturdy it is.
As a Chaser, she is extremely cunning for a Hufflepuff. Using the Thimblerig Shuffle at times and trick opposing players when she has the Quaffle.
She mistaken Quaffle as Waffle at some point when talking to Orion which made the captain smile. She sometimes said it 29 times... accidentally or intentionally... nobody knows.
When she does the inspired broom surfing a go, Orion thought that she is a natural. Rather than surfing with her feet, she would surf on her hands with the Quaffle around her legs.
After her victory of the Quidditch Cup, her father sent her a little wooden figurine of her on a broom with her Quidditch friends. She gave her friends their respective wooden figurines. Skye loved it, Murphy adored it, and Orion gratefully accepted it. The latter would start carving his friends’ names as remembrance.
She is an avid fan of Fujin Hirabayashi (nickname: Taira-sama) (My other OC), the youngest Toyohashi Tengu player who took roles as a Chaser and a Keeper. She also became friends with him when he is rising to stardom, Julia helped him learn English and Muggle technology and Fujin helped her in learning Japanese and his culture.
When she started playing as a Keeper, she began practicing her idol’s signature move... Fujin’s Sweep, a technique where the Keeper would try to balance on top of one of the targeted goal posts and use her broom to hit the Quaffle away when it was going to reach the goal causing it to be deflected. She then starts practicing in climbing up the goal posts to get more coverage of the technique.
Julia, despite her small build, is quite rough when she is a Keeper. She would show very scary expressions when opposing players try to score a goal causing them to either miss or hesitate. She just does it as an act to scare them and is surprised that it work.
She is very quiet as a Chaser, but very loud as a Keeper.
She had a lucky charm in her Quidditch robes. It is a sachet bag filled with two Go stones. One black and one white. The black stone has been painted in white with the design of an intricate bird in the front and the kanji writing of Luck behind it. The white stone has a intricate drawing of a serpentine dragon in black ink in the front and the kanji writing of Wisdom behind it. She gave the white stone to Barnaby and the black stone to Murphy.
She had a new lucky charm to replace her old one, and it’s a jade xiangqi chess piece character called the “Advisor”. The design etched behind it is a Chinese Lion Dog. She mostly bring it during her Keeper matches.
She has a custom Beater’s bat when she became Beater. A serpentine dragon wrapped around the bat with a crescent moon on the tip where the dragon’s maw try eat it. Every time she hits a Bludger with this bat she will yell like crazy.
When she became Seeker her practice is mostly about sight and instinct. Example of this is focusing on a moving pendulum.
Her least favorite role is the Keeper, since she can’t move with the thrill. But she is pretty good with protecting the goal posts.
Her favorite spot in the Quidditch Pitch is the Commentary Box (where she would talk about strategy with Murphy or read Dostoevsky) and the Goal Posts (where she would sleep in the ring under the sun.)
If there are any parties related to Quidditch victories, she would just join, small chat, cheer, and leave immediately where she will spend time in the Library to read.
Her favorite exercises were mostly Muggle endurance and strength tests; example of these is tossing her own broom over her head and grabs it with the other hand multiple times, quick catching instincts, and climbing goal posts without any form of safety harnesses.
She mostly didn’t attend much practices with the Hufflepuff team and can be found mostly practicing by herself with exercises and laps. She will attend before the start of a weekend, which surprisingly done well.
Teamwork and strategy is her go-to values in Quidditch, she found Murphy’s tactics great and Orion’s words inspiring. She found Skye’s exercises good in her own way.
She hated foul plays. If the opposing player foul and harm her team she would do the same to them but in a very subtle way for an even.
She is the shortest of the team but EXTREMELY nimble on the broom, with a height of 4’9.
Her favorite maneuver in each role. Chaser: Thimblerig Shuffle, Beater: Dopplebeater Defence, Keeper: Fujin’s Sweep, Seeker: Wronski Feint.
She found rivalries meaningless and problematic, she treat every match with respect, fun, and even seriousness.
Fuck I’m at a fencing tournament and literally a minute after I reblogged this my dad told me that he talked to the point people and I’m probably going to win a medal.
I need to follow up to say I reblogged this last night, and this morning I got some of the best news of my life, like, a life dream come true news thing.
FUCK, I though it was just another lucky meme but LISTEN. Since a week ago I was waiting a phone call to confirm me if I got a job or not in my university. I reblogged this yesterday’s night “just for fun and because I don’t want any bagel to be mad with me”, and today’s afternoon, while I was losing my time as always, the professor I was supposed to work with called me and asked me for my personal information to start working with her.
*Patronus summoning for HPHM character, this is not canon.*
Julia knew very much to herself that staying outside the Common Room premises is prohibited in Hogwarts to avoid any mischief that will happen to the other Common Rooms. Staying in the Quidditch Stands in the middle of the night as a way for her to find peace and tranquillity to herself is particularly odd, especially on how much she got interested in the game itself. It’s just like yesterday when she starts watching her very first Friendly with Penny Haywood as a way to pass time after her adventures in the Cursed Vaults with Rowan and Ben. Then suddenly she decide to participate in the game after a fated Bludger with no knowledge about Quidditch other than competitive board games, ball games, and disassembling electrical components for fun. She met Skye for physical training, then Murphy for strategic training, then there is Orion’s trust training... everyone has their ideas to win and it can end wonderfully. But from her Quidditch journey, Murphy manage to influence much to her victories thanks to his valuable strategies and his cheeky commentary that he always kept poking around Julia’s actions through the pitch. His plans gave her the Quidditch Cup especially the time when she tried to find Rath’s Blindspot, she still winced at the memory.
Murphy’s commentary can be quite, cute... and also unnecessary since that he kept commentating on her very moves that can give an advantage to the enemy players who were also listening to him. Can be creepy as well since she is the almost the only player that he kept commentating through the game which Professor McGonagall found it bothersome especially during the Hufflepuff vs Gryffindor game, Julia shivered at the memory like how Charlie Weasley continue to stare at her in confusion when Julia is being mentioned a lot of times by the blonde haired lad and she just give an unsure shrugged at him in response. The night gave her a cold breeze which she sighed in content, she remembered how she smiled through their first House Match victory and the time as the Beater. Even if Skye is slowly having... a sour relationship to her, she hope that their relationship can still be fruitful and good.
She is a fourth year, and Murphy is a fifth year... and she hoped that their friendship still continue through the years and wished that he will reach his dreams as a professional Quidditch commentator. Lying down the wooden seats with her hands supporting behind her head she slowly stare off the star-sprinkled sky and smile under the peaceful night. It is quiet and she grew quite bored, Julia then swish out her wand twirling around playfully and casting Lumos and Nox as if casting battle spells to imaginary enemies. Spell casting makes her have a peace in mind in all things, it helped her a lot throughout when she had conflicting and frustrating thoughts. While twirling her wand she then pursed her lips in thought. “It would not hurt to try, right?”she whispered to herself. With a flick of her wand she cast out a muttered incantation of Expecto Patronum. A faint jet stream of light flew out from the tip of her wand and slowly forming into a Unicorn, it raised its forelegs and neighed loudly. The unicorn then galloped around her as he continue to lying down, Julia just playfully waving her wand to follow the moving Patronus. As it continue galloping around freely in the air Julia then heard the faint sound of wood creaking, she flicked her wand which suddenly make her Patronus disintegrate through the air.
Julia swore that she heard weight shifting on wood even at the loud gust of air in the Quidditch Stands, she immediately sat up and set her feet on the floor ready to run. Suddenly she heard something creaking towards her, she decide not to check it out and run away to the opposite side of the noise in case if it is Filch and his beloved cat. Her heart increase in beat when she heard the creaking following her behind, it doesn’t sound footsteps... which is a hundred times worse if she can imagine on who is pursuing her. She went to another section of the stand which heads to the Gryffindor box, she went inside and closed the door behind her. Her heart beating loudly inside her and with a smart move she began morphing in her animagus animal, a crow. Julia flew to a wooden stair and hid in a corner, thanks to her black feathers... the dark stairs of the Box can be difficult for her pursuer to find her... especially that she is in her animagus form. The crow animagus just ducked down, wings ready to spread in case the situation gets worse, until suddenly the door slowly open as if it comes from a horror movie.
A tip of a wand seem to peek out from the gap of the door and with a soft male voice cast Lumos. Light shone dimly from the tip of the wand in the stairway of the Gryffindor Box, Julia cornered herself on the corner and stare with her beady dark brown eyes as Murphy entered the darkened stairwell with his wand out, casting light through the dark. His silvery blue eyes glance around the scene in caution, confusion, and befuddlement then fell on to the staring crow who is just cornered to the stairs in surprise. If Julia turn back to human she would scold him, but for the mean time she decide to do nothing until Murphy sighed. “Are you lost buddy?” Murphy asked to the crow who he had no idea is actually Julia in her form. She squawked lightly at him, he gestured his other free hand for her to perch which she hop on to his strong fingers while avoiding her talons piercing his skin. He brings the crow closer to his face and give off a small warm smile. “The box is not a nesting place fella, let’s head out of here before Filch would hurt you by sending Mrs. Norris to eat you.” He sets the crow on his shoulder and rolled out the area with his wheelchair and head out to the open Quidditch stands. The wheels and his weight on the wooden floor is what makes the creaking sound. “I swear I thought I saw Julia back here.” He commented as he stare at her last resting spot, the crow just squawked at him which made the Commentator chuckled. “Aren’t you a noisy fella? Say...” He sets his gaze up to the Commentator’s Box then back at the attentive crow animagus. “You want to spend time in my spot before heading out to the wild?” He offered.
Of course, being a polite person she squawked positively at him in response. “Great, I guess you won’t mind me talking about new Quidditch strategy, eh?” He rolled his wheelchair to his beloved spot.
Maybe being TOO polite is a bad thing.
Julia perched on to the railing as Murphy continue to blabber at her his ideas of strategy, she would squawked loudly when he said some useful tactics and remain silent with a tilt of her head when he suggest some not-so-good strategies. The dark night is nothing for him when he kept casting Lumos with his wand while waving it around his playbooks with his eyes scanning every image and statistics with voracious appetite. After finishing almost three of his thick play books Murphy then gestured his hand, beckoning her to perch on his fingers. Julia just flew on him and perch on his fingers while carefully placing her talons to avoid piercing him. He petted her head and Julia felt the soothing sensation with his fingers brushing her small crow head, if Murphy found out that it’s just Julia in an animagus... he would flip. “You know... for a crow, you seem to be very interested in Quidditch. Have you been watching our Friendlies and the House Match?” Julia squawked in reply. “I guess you like Quidditch indeed eh, do you prefer Rath and the Ravenclaws? But you are a crow... not a raven though...” Julia remained silent. “Gryffindor?” Silence. “Slytherin?” Silence. “Hufflepuff?” “Squawk!” He smiled goofily. “What a traitor to bird kind with Ravenclaw eh?” He chuckled. “For real though... you are pretty smart for a wild crow.” He stated then continue petting her head. If she is in her human form she would glare at him and grit her teeth in anger.
“Say... do you want to hear a secret?” Secret? Julia thought to herself as Murphy smiled to himself. “If you mind though... I know that crows can be loud and so, but somehow I felt so... warm and happy when I’m with you. Like you are a very trusty crow friend.” He said then she just squawked, interested in his secret. “Alright then, so...” He sets her down on his lap. “I liked this girl very much-“ Well, ain’t this juicy? Julia thought and if she is in her human form she would smirk. “I know she may not like me... but I really do fancy her, maybe too much. She is the first person who made me so happy when I talked about Quidditch.” Julia turn her head to a side in further interest. He sighed at the thought and smiled at the black feathered friend. “It’s been quite a while though, lately after having a Butterbeer with her after a Friendly with some friends she always have that shy smile on her lips. It suits her a lot.” He stated then lean back on his backrest. “We’ve been playing a lot of Wizard’s Chess back at the Great Hall, she is the only player that I met who is resilient in trying to beat me although she got bored from it.” Julia then thought to herself who this lucky lass. But somehow she noticed how familiar it is when he said it. “But then one day, she beat me with her Queen.” He stated, keeping up his smile and stop petting her head which he place one hand on to the wheel of his wheelchair while the other hand holding his wand that still cast Lumos. “I can’t forget her proud call of checkmate.” He said then he gasp. “Oh, little crow. I forgot to show you something!” He then began to fish through his pockets and bring out a small sachet bag that Julia is familiar with. “She gave me her lucky charm which I guess as a prize for winning in a game of Go when she grew bored back at Wizard’s Chess in her 2nd year.” He smiled while fondling the little bag. Julia set her eyes on it and widen them in surprise. It’s her lucky Go bag that she gave to Murphy. So what he mean-
“I always bring this bag wherever I go. I manage to have some good memories with it. I got some high grades in Potions which I often lack, Binns being asleep during History of Magic where I can read some of my playbooks in silence, and then winning against Orion in a bet at a Slytherin Friendly.” He then keeps the little bag back at his pocket. “It is almost like Felix Felicis, but in stone form.... but I do say... I’m happy that she gave her trust in me despite on this situation I am.” He stated as he look on to his immobilized legs. “I fancy her but I believe that she won’t fancy back, I mean... look at me. She can soar through the skies with her Cursed Vault friends and solve mysteries and adventures and... EVERYTHING.” He slowly frowned, losing hope. “And here I am, just sitting on a chair and commentating every move she done in every Friendly she participated.” He sighed loudly waving his wand frantically at every word he spewed out from his lips. “I wanted to help her in her search, with Orion and Skye of course... but apparently... I felt this invisible force that prevents me in helping her through her adventures. Maybe it’s my fear.” He said as Julia can see the faint evidence of tears forming on the edges of his eyes.
“I fear that I would be a burden to her when I decide to help her.” Julia then squawked, trying to disagree him. He seem to notice then smiled at the little crow on his lap. “Ah, trying to comfort me little guy? Thanks!” He ruffled her feathers affectionately then stop as a though came in his mind. “I want to ask her out before it’s too late.” He stated then let out a toothy grin to the crow. “Well yeah, if you think. I fancied Julia Dela Rosa, that’s why I’m chasing her through the stands when I saw her casting a bright spell and then found you. I guess she flee TOO quickly when she thought that I must be Filch or something, I don’t blame her though... I would do the same in her shoes.” He then gestured a hand to perch her on. “I guess I must stop my rambling, I should have let you go to your merry way in the wild... you must be sleepy.” He then raised his arm, trying to send her off but the crow remained on his fingers. He chuckled lightly. “You really want to stay?”
Julia just got nervous, it must be now or never. She also feel this weird feelings dancing around her heart when he said that he fancied her... she never felt so... flustered. VERY flustered. She is not really good in these feelings at all! It won’t hurt when she will try to confront him about it. Julia will just... try to talk him out. Did she admire him? Yes. Like him? Maybe... but fancy? She is never so sure to herself and she is very confused about it. She just want to settle this, it manage to distract her... a ton. Julia then starts flapping her wings and perch on one of the wooden seats while staring at him. Murphy raised a brow and suddenly Julia morph back into her human form, hair disheveled after him petting her head and the Commentator stare at her in utter shock. She immediately raised up her hands in front of him, trying to assess the situation. “Murphy, let me explain.” She said as a very dark blush growing on her cheeks in somehow of embarrassment and he as well. She began scratching the back of her head and proceed to sit cross legged on the seats. “I uhm... sorry that I played you like that. Being a crow animagus and all... hehe.” She then looked back at him with his wand up, the light began to grow brighter and closer to her as if he can’t believe in what he is seeing right in front of him. “I’m really sorry.” She stated, Murphy gulped loudly then rolled his chair closer to her. Just beyond touch’s reach, he slowly reached her hand and held her fingers. “Julia... I-“ “I know, I should’ve left and all and... ugh. I really am sorry!” She exclaimed and bolted up on her legs, before she would transform back in her crow form she felt a soft tug from her pant leg. She looked back and stare at the desperate gaze of the Commentator as he grasp tightly on her, begging her to stay. “Julia please stay!” He gasped out his words, Julia froze a bit then slowly turn around to face him properly. “Hey...” she muttered.
He let out a cheeky smile, but Julia knew deep well to herself that he is forcing out that smile because on how much he try to sink in this interaction they are having. The light that has been casted on to his wand gave a sparkle on to his tears. “I’m...” “If you are going to say sorry again I will seriously in a 93.01% chance of deciding in stopping you so I can speak first.” Julia giggled then sat down on the seats which he allow to let her go. He began fiddling his fingers unsurely. “So... you are an animagus?”
“Yep.”
“How?”
“Talbott helped me back in Year 3.” She answered and smiled. “Done a lot of quirky things as a crow.” Murphy frowned when he heard another male friend slipped out her tongue. “I didn’t mean to scare you or something, I just... want some peace here.” He raised a brow then smiled. “Really? I went here to find some peace as well!” Murphy stated then stare back at her, Julia just looks away with her blush evident on her cheeks. She heard him sighed. “I guess I already spoke out too soon eh?” He then started trailing his free hand on top of her hand. Julia’s blush deepens and this made the Quidditch strategist chuckled, she didn’t even try to shake his hand off but he can feel her shivering. Murphy should’ve bring his jacket with him especially that winter is coming to Hogwarts. He tapped his fingers playfully on Julia’s hand and she just hummed in response. “Julia... I’m a 100.99% sure that I fancy you.” Julia scoffed but decide to not look back at him and only gazing out of the Commentator’s Box. Murphy noticed her expression began to frown. “Murphy, I just...” She then moved her head to face him, she look absolutely flustered.
“I...” She seem to trail off. “I want to say how much I admire you ever since you decide to dump your playbooks on me to read.” Her other free hand starts caressing his hand which he start to held on her softly. “I’m very happy how much you decide to help me for winning the Quidditch Cup, with your strategies and knowledge about the game. I really am at your debt.” Murphy continue to stay silent as he stare longingly to the raven-haired girl who kept looking away in flustered gazes. “I maybe like you, my feelings are fully flustered right now to know whether I fancy you or not. I just hoped that you will hear my thoughts out.” He smiled slowly and carry one hand closer to him. He made her caress his face with outmost softness, she can feel a little spark emanating on her fingertips as she felt his warm cheeks under her touch. His brows creased in relaxation and sighed in content. The moonlight haze and the Lumos light gave the Strategist a beautiful complexion with his silvery blue eyes and blonde disheveled hair, he continue to hold on to her hand and brought it closer to his lips. He shyly began lightly kissing her finger tips, unsure what is happening to himself. The action made Julia flustered more. “I’m 92% sure that I’m alright even if it is just your mere presence beside me. All of those Friendlies and matches... watching you on your spectacular broomwork were suffice for me, even if you don’t fancy me.” He breathed out then remove her hand from his face.
“I’m alright with everything that you had done Julia, I was trying my best to give out a 100% of my feelings out so I will not succumb in the 83.41% probability of losing my mind by bottling my feelings to avoid bad judgement when about myself...” He then sheepishly scratch the back of his head. “You know... talking my feelings to your crow form is comfortable even if you know what I mean in my words.” Julia just smiled and her eyes gaze away. She decide to scoot closer to him and their shoulders meet in touch’s reach. “Why do you think that I will look at you as a burden because of your disability?” She asked which she then stare back at him, her brows creased in confusion. “Did I belittle you when you first went up to me and throw your playbooks on me? Did I ignore you when you give strategic advices? Bloody hell Murphy! We did have an adventure together, is our search for the missing Comet 260 not enough? Do you think that I saw you as a burden especially when we try to make the Golden Finch as a Broom? I found it amusing, and even destructive... which is almost like my times in the Cursed Vaults when we experiment things!” She puffed her chest a bit in what Murphy seem to be her anger. “You done quite a lot despite that you can’t move, Murphy! Maybe too much for Hufflepuff! Which is why I am really at your debt.” She exclaimed and then start pinching his cheeks for fun.
“Ack! Dela Rosa!” He laughed while she continue to grab his cheeks playfully. Laughter erupt from the two students and while minutes pass after their laughter silence fell between them. Murphy continue to stare at her in wonder as Julia, with her hands still on his face, blushed uncontrollably. “Can you... close your eyes... McNully?” She asked which he widen his eyes in surprise. Hearing his last name with her voice felt so... breath taking. He wanted to hear his name from her lips, again. “No.” He smiled. “If you call me by my last name again, maybe.” Julia pouted her lips which Murphy found it cute. “Alright, please McNully?” The Quidditch Commentator felt so bliss when hearing it, closed his eyes and waited for her what to do. Julia bit her bottom lip and mustered up the courage to lean closer to his forehead and place a soft kiss on it. Murphy hummed at the contact and she retreated back, still holding his face. “I... don’t know what my feelings are doing with me, McNully. I never felt so flustered with my whole life. Especially when you... said that you fancy me.” He leaned closer and felt his forehead touch hers with intimate connection. “Maybe it’s time that you need to settle your thoughts,” he chuckled and held her two hands, cherishing her soft warm touches. “With the Cursed Vaults and all, you need a time for yourself and stop over thinking.”
Julia scoffed at him. “That’s the problem, I always over think.” He pursed his lips and remove her hands from his face, he looks at her with serious eyes. “Then I will-“ Julia then smacked his head lightly causing the blonde man to wince. “Ow, What was that for?!” “I don’t need much of your help in this night Murphy, you done a lot.” But she placed a finger on her chin, deep in thought. “But if you are really thinking of helping me, spell casting is my only go-to whenever I have conflicting thoughts.” Murphy raised a brow. “Like fighting dummies and such?” She just shrugged. “The normal Lumos and Nox can be enough. But my favorite to cast that made my mind in peace is the Patronus charm.” When Murphy heard the spell he gasped in shock. Eyes widen in sudden surprise at the idea of a 4th year casting the most difficult spell of all wizard kind. “The Patronus?! How?!”
The raven haired girl just sheepishly chuckle at him, eyes looking away in embarrassment. Murphy knew that she often do this as a way to show humility in her work. “Let’s say that a certain friend help me.” Murphy tilted his head to the side in interest. “Let me guess... it’s this Talbott guy?” She shake her head and swish out her wand that is hiding in her sleeve. “Nope, it’s Tonks.” She began waving her wand with a small incantation under her breath and suddenly streams of light sprout out from the tip of her wand and began forming of what Murphy knew as a Unicorn. It neighed then galloped around them playfully until it took notice to the Strategist where it decide to approach towards Murphy with interest. With an awed look on his face, he raised his arms to reach the equine creature and began feeling a brush of warm light on his finger tips. The wand that is casting Lumos began to dim when he lose focus as he continue to stare at the beautiful Patronus. Julia giggled when Murphy tried to pet the Patronus but the Unicorn would shake its head when Murphy is stroking its snout. He chuckled until the Unicorn faded away with a flick of her wand. “I can’t believe that Tonks manage to help you conjure your own Patronus! I thought she is only good at making pranks and such.” Julia just shrugged and flicked her wand that manage to summon her Unicorn once again. “Some people hold amazing talents you know...”
He continue to stare in wonder at the galloping Unicorn, then suddenly an idea came up to her head. “You know... as a payment after all of the strategies that you gave out to us. I will decide to teach you the Patronus Charm.” He then look back at her in surprise, mouth agape. “W-What?” “You heard me right Mr. McNully the soon-to-be professional Quidditch commentator, I will help you conjure a Patronus Charm of your own.” She the flicked her wand to vanish her Unicorn. “Let’s start by focusing your thoughts... specially... your most happiest thoughts. The happiest memory you have in your life.” She stated then began twirling her wand on her fingers and mutter a faint incantation that made the tip of her wand to create light. “Tell me, what is your happiest memory?” She asked then he immediately replied without a second thought. “The time you do the Thimblerig Shuffle.” She raised a brow, waving her wand closely to him but not too much that can harm his eyes. “I’m quite surprised, I thought it will be your mother or Kneil.” He shook his head, “Trust me when I said that I have the happiest memory when you decide the Thimblerig Shuffle to our First House Match.”
“Ever since I began to read I start learning various playbooks of Quidditch results throughout the years. Then I start creating tactics that were useful for Quidditch matches, Kneil is the perfect Kneazle in allowing me to talk about my ideas. I like every Quidditch team, they are the perfect candidates in learning more about their maneuvers especially the Montrose Magpies!” He then shifted a bit on his wheelchair. “By the way, I didn’t even know your favorite Quidditch team.” Julia just giggled. “They are not from Europe though.” This piqued his interest. “Oh really? Who are they?” He asked. “The Toyohashi Tengus are the BEST Quidditch players that I ever watched. Especially their Chasers, it’s like they dance through the air with their Mizuchi Brooms and their intimidating Tengu masks that they wore in every match.” The commentator thought to himself. The Toyohashi Tengus are beasts in the Quidditch world, with the penchant of throwing their brooms to the fire when they lose or keeping them when they won. He remember seeing one of their pictures in a newspaper once in the Quidditch section, their rugged and tired faces filled with intense expressions of pride when beating against a friendly match with Ireland. Words sprouted that they are the absolute monsters to mess with in the pitch, knowing how to bend the rules as they know it. Murphy noticed how she talked about the team with burning passion, her dreamy eyes gazing out the box with a cheerful smile on her lips. “If you get the chance of meeting them, will you take it?” “A 100% yes! Their honor and hardwork is the most admirable thing that they had done in their matches, how they deal with their pride is amazing!” He nodded in understanding and then return back on track.
“So yeah, Thimblerig Shuffle has been born when I tricked Kneil in hiding a treat from him with the use of three wooden cups hiding it from sight. I began imagining the cups as Chasers and the treat as the Quaffle... and the rest goes through history as you introduced it to our First House Match. I’m very happy, like I reached to the heavens when you done it. Now the world will know its name!” He continued. Julia then nodded and placed a finger beneath her chin in thought. “If that is what you prefer as your happy memory, let me ask you one question.” She then look back at him with a serious look on her face. “What is your purpose in this world?” He raised a brow. “Really with that question?” She remain silent at him and he just sighed. “I thought you already know?” She chuckled and shake her head. “I want to hear it again from you.” Murphy just chuckled to himself and smiled. “Just like the time that I use my own ploy against you to make you do the Thimblerig Shuffle. I want to make sure to show everyone in the whole Wizarding and Quidditch world about my abilities. Even despite with my disability, I will make a difference with my intelligence and strategies by creating outstanding maneuvers and ploys. People always look at me with what is shown outside, this wheelchair is what they see and know whenever they hear my name. I want to show them what I’m capable of and make a change.” Silence fell on them as he finished his speech. Julia just smiled at him through the light of her wand, and placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. “You will be a fine strategist indeed. And a Commentator as well.” He held on to the hand that rests on his shoulder, squeezing it lightly then letting it go a little.
“Alright then, let’s start with your Patronus Charm. Raise your wand like this-“ Julia gestured her wand that is still casted Lumos. Murphy followed her and waited for another call. “Then wave it like this-“ She then pointed her wand in a thrust, he followed as well. “Remember to say the incantation, Expecto Patronum.” Murphy nodded. “But...” She stopped Murphy. “Remember my question about your happiest memory? I want it to be the clear and visible focus in your mind right now.” She mentioned. “There are the unfortunate people who were trying to cast the Patronus but failed, which is not a bad thing. I just want to teach you this spell as a way to pay my debt to the things that you had done for me, Orion, and Skye.” She smiled. “Remember, focus on that single memory.” “But what if I can’t?”
Julia crossed her arms and raised a brow. “That doesn’t sound like you at all Murphy.” She stated. “You didn’t even try it then you start to ask negatively? Magic is not just revolving around waving wands and shouting incantations... as like Orion said to me... we need focus.” She stated then Murphy sighed and nod. He look ahead of him and closed his eyes, trying to clear his thoughts. Breath in, breath out. He can feel his heart hammering inside his chest and start clearing his mind. He saw through his closed lids the sight of the first House Match of Hufflepuff against Slytherin; Julia, Orion, and Skye were trying to shake off Slytherin chasers behind their tail. He commented as one of the Slytherin Chasers went up to Julia to snatch the Quaffle but she immediately drop it to Orion who is watching beneath her, he noticed that she made a gesture of her finger that made a swirling motion. It’s a call to do the Thimblerig Shuffle. He watched in memory on how they dance through the air on their brooms, changing positions and tossing the Quaffle around them to distract and head towards the Slytherin keeper. One of the Slytherin Chasers try to bump past Orion to get the Quaffle from the Hufflepuff captain who just dodge the incoming Chaser effortlessly, he then pass it back to Skye. They kept doing the shuffle until the final maneuver of twirling around quickly in a circular motion and pass the Quaffle to Julia who immediately place it in front of her chest. The Slytherin Chasers then reach to Skye who seem to slow down as a bait and were surprised to find her that she didn’t hold the Quaffle, Parkin just smirked at them. Orion and Julia head towards the Slytherin Keeper who were guarding the goal posts, he shifted his eyes to the two incoming Hufflepuff Chasers who were looking back to each other then nodded. Julia passed the Quaffle to Amari where the Slytherin Keeper followed suite then the Quaffle was quickly passed back to Julia who threw it to one of the lower goal posts that were unguarded by the Keeper. Murphy cheered through his microphone. “Well isn’t that amazing everyone?! Dela Rosa, Parkin, and Amari have manage to dance through the air while shuffling the Quaffle around! I will call that a Thimblerig Shuffle! Never forget that everyone, that maneuver is made by a Quidditch genius! 10 points to Hufflepuff!” He can feel his happiness and excitement coursing through his veins, tears of joy seem to well up from the corner of his eyes but he remain composed for the match. He saw Julia who is still on her broom looking at him with a cheeky smile on her face, she gave him a quick salute and flew off to snatch the Quaffle from the enemy Chasers. He never stop smiling ever since and it still smiles him until this day.
“Expecto Patronum!” He swished his wand and suddenly a small burst of light sprouted out from the tip of his wand. Julia gasped in awe at the sight, the light is slowly trying to create a form but it began to vanish instantly. “You are doing it McNully! Do it again, never lose focus!” Murphy can feel his excitement in the pit of his stomach. He swished his wand again, the memory still dancing around in his mind. “Expecto Patronum!” Light burst out from wand and suddenly he can hear... chirping. It vanished before he can create a form. Again, he swished his wand to the air and the light begin to grow brighter. “Expecto Patronum!!!!” The wand spew out large rays of light, slowly becoming to strips and wisps until the chirping sounds seem to grow. Suddenly the light manifested itself into a very adorable bird, a blue jay flew around with the beat of its wings that has a trail of light behind it and swoop down towards Murphy. He laughed a joyous laugh as he watch his Patronus gliding around him playfully, it then start to perch on his lap staring up at him with its glowing beady eyes.
The girl beside him giggled. “Congratulations. You got a blue jay, such a beautiful bird indeed.” The blue jay then flap its wings towards Julia and began dancing around her, she scoffed and wave her hand lightly to shoo the bird but it remain resilient in noticing her. She gestured her hand to call upon the bird and Murphy’s Patronus perch on it with no hesitation. “Do you know what they symbolize?” She just smiled. “From what I read, blue jays are very sassy birds. But they symbolize a person’s talkativeness, intelligence, and communication.” Murphy hummed to himself. “That is 97.06% similar to me, but I really do hope that I have a Kneazle so I can have Kneil a playmate!” He flick his wand that manage to vanish his blue jay. He swish it again to summon the Patronus which it flew out from his wand with vigor. “Are you going to show it to Orion and the others?” She asked and he just shake his head in response. “I’m a 100% sure that I won’t show this spell to others. Because in the same percentage as I said a couple of seconds ago, people would bug me out to teach them the Charm just to test their might and fun. I can teach them but... teaching a lot of people can take a toll on me.” She nodded in understand. “I can see that.” She stated then stood up from her seat, stretching out her arms and yawn which cause the strategist to look back at her with his Blue Jay beside him.
“Are you heading back?” She asked and he shake his head. “Don’t want to.” He said and open his palm to make his Patronus perch on it. “Julia...” the girl hummed as she reach towards the railing, ready to take flight with her animagus form. “Is it okay for a hug?” He asked and Julia look back at him with a raised brow. “Please?” She rolled her eyes but smiled at him, she approach and leaned closer to the blonde man who then vanish his Patronus so he can open his arms to accept her hug. She wrapped her arms around his neck and place her chin on his shoulder, he wrapped his strong large arms around her petite waist. They remain like that for a few minutes and she heard him sigh as he inhale the sweet scent of her hair. “I’m a 100% sure that I want to stay like this... through the night.” She hummed at him and nuzzle his neck. “I’m sleepy.” She commented which cause the Quidditch commentator to chuckle, she can feel the rumbling of his chest on hers and she blushed madly at the feeling. He doesn’t want to let her go but he slowly decides to remove his around so that she can return and rest for the night. She leaned back after the hug and let out a meek smile. “I have to go now. Take care.” She said then morph herself into her crow animagus and took flight away from the Commentator’s Box, Murphy then rolled his wheelchair forward and held his hand on to the railing. He raised his hand and wave a slow goodbye to the raven-haired girl.
She didn’t even asked him why is he at the Quidditch Pitch in the middle of the night without people noticing him head out the castle all by himself with wheelchair and all.
Murphy rolled his way out from his Care for Magical Creatures class and head towards the Quidditch Stadium in his uniform robes. He rolled slowly, the memory of the night still linger in his head, causing his heart to skip a beat. The Commentator sighed dreamily, other Hufflepuff classmates stroll off without him paying mind until he saw Julia who just trotted off with a book and parchment in hand, heading back in the castle. He raised his hand and call her name. “Dela Rosa!” Julia just stopped on her tracks and look back to see the beaming face of a sleep deprived Murphy. She widen her eyes at his appearance and approach him with a concern look on her eyes. “Murphy! Your eyes!” He just sheepishly let out a laugh and scratch the back of his head, the sleeve of his robes moving back past his elbow which shows his white sleeve of his button up shirt covering his whole arm. “I... heh.” He muttered to himself and Julia just rolled a piece of her parchment that is pinned in her book, rolled it into a scroll, and use it to smack him on the shoulder. “You should’ve leave that place! Now how can you commentate for the Gryffindor Friendly?!” He winced a bit but he just laugh it off. “Sorry, I just kept... to myself through the night.” He said then let out a big yawn. She let out an exasperated sigh. “You should rest in your box for a whil-“ She got herself cutoff when Orion pass by in his uniform robes. “Ah Julia, greetings.” She look back at her enigmatic captain then respond him with a nod and a good morning. He sets his brown eyes to the sleepy Commentator, “McNully, I suggest that you need to rest. Our next subject is upon us.” Murphy just nodded and smiled. Orion then looked back to Julia with a smirk, Julia then raised a brow at him.
“A little loud cockatoo told me a rumor that you have a night with McNully which made him to have no rest back at his quarters.” Orion stated which made both McNully and Dela Rosa blush madly. “Wait... what?!” She grasp her book closer to her chest. “But-“ McNully cut off when Orion continued. “The rumor goes into a certain discord I have to say. But worry not, I explained the situation to our Head of House.” Julia cocked her head to the side. “Situation?” Orion gestured his hand towards McNully who just kept blushing madly between them as he gave a somewhat glare towards the enigmatic captain. “Well our beloved Commentator here arrived back our Common Room around four in the morning with nothing but his playbooks and himself.” He said while placing a finger beneath his chin in thought. “He spoke a lot about your encounter, with you being a crow animagus and all... he is quite flustered when he speak about his lo-“ “Aw would you look at the time?!” Murphy said as he look at his wrist where there is no watch present. He look back at the flustered Julia who just stood there awkwardly and smiled unsurely. “Me and Orion have to go to the History of Magic Class. We have a probability of 89.93% of being late!” “But I didn’t fini-“ “GOODBYE DELA ROSA!” Murphy yelled and with his strong arms pull Orion on to his lap which manage to surprise the self-align man. One arm around the neck wrapping his friend in a headlock and the other hand on his wheel where he roll off with such a weight towards the castle in quick speed. The sight made Julia and some bystanders stunned, a Hufflepuff lad approach Julia who still stare off the direction where the two men left. “Hey, what happened the two of them?” Julia just shrugged her shoulders in response. “I don’t even know to be honest. First we are talking then suddenly they just left in a hurry.” Suddenly a familiar face approach her from behind. “Hey Julia!” She look and face the Face Paint Kid.
“Oh! It’s you! It’s been a long time pal.” Some Hufflepuff students approach their beloved Quidditch player in awe who were following Face Paint Kid. Then she heard the rumors that Orion talked about. “Is it true that you fancy Murphy McNully?!” “I heard you two keep meeting in the night!” “How does it feel being with Murphy?! He is such a smooth talker!” “You two are really cute together! Isn’t he a charming lad?!” Julia is very overwhelmed at the rumors that Face Paint Kid notice. “Everyone please stop!” He yelled to the swarm of Hufflepuff students who were bickering to Julia about Murphy. “She is getting uncomfortable, can’t you see?” Julia gulped loudly and sigh, she slowly face to the large swarm of people and smiled shyly. “Murphy is a friend of mine... nothing more.” Her heart is beating so fast that can’t comprehend what is happening. Why does she felt so bad when she said that? She is trying to not let this rumor go crazy until Dumbledore would be involved. “If you hear things about us doing something... forbidden... I’m just helping him for his upcoming O.W.L.S.” She said with a serious look on her face that manage to buy her word. The Hufflepuff students were surprised and look down in shame. “Oh is that so? I’m terribly sorry.” One student said with guilt and she just smiled at them. “It’s alright, I understand your excitement. But please do not spread false rumors that can degrade, hurt, or make embarrassment to the person.” Julia sermon them for a bit and continue. “Words are the most lethal weapon a person have other than a wand.” Julia finished and swayed her body for a bit playfully. “Please guys, return back to your class. I don’t like seeing all of you get late especially to those who were suppose to go to their Potions class.” “Uh... Julia?” She hummed in response. “Is there anyway that we can say sorry? You still look a bit angry.” A Hufflepuff lad asked. “I just want the rumors to end... that is all I want.”
“So how did it go?” Orion asked after he thrashed his way out from Murphy’s grip. To be fair on his behalf, Murphy can be very strong thanks to his physique and his arms... but fate seem to be too cruel sometimes for the blonde man since he can be a Beater only if he can walk. Orion stretched his arms while they head towards the History of Magic, Murphy continue blushing as they entered the classroom only to find out that they were the only people inside the room. Orion took this opportunity to corner up Murphy, he crossed his arms and raised a brow. “Come on, speak up McNully. There is more to it than you spending time with her in your box and back at the Common Room.” Said the captain as Murphy fidgeted his fingers and the wand that is used to be hiding behind his back. “Alright, alright. I will only say this once.” Murphy stated and give a warning gaze to the brunet man. “She played Go with me back at the Common Room as a way for me to make her feel comfortable after beating her a lot in Wizard’s Chess. It is a long game.” He told him while twirling his wand around his fingers. “In the box though... she helped me in thinking about the strategies and showing off that she is actually a crow animagus.” Orion raised a brow in disbelief causing the Strategist to sigh, he knew that the Hufflepuff captain see through his facade with one simple look and observation. Murphy clicked his tongue and he had no choice to lie right in front of him. He swished his wand and chanted out an incantation when suddenly a stream of white blue light flow out from the tip of his wand. A blue jay manifested itself in the light and flew around the empty classroom, Orion just stared and smiled with glee as the bird beat its wings playfully.
With a flick, Murphy’s Patronus disintegrate in the wind. Leaving nothing but fading wisps of light behind. “So she taught you the Patronus Charm?” He gave the blonde lad a mischievous grin causing Murphy to gulp and move his wheelchair to roll back. But Orion shifted his foot to wedge it on his wheel causing it to stop. “I’m just going to say that you are quite strong... all in body, mind, and soul.” Orion complimented as Murphy just rolled his eyes and lean down to remove Orion’s foot that is wedged in his wheel. “Thanks, I guess.” He said then roll down the desks to head to the very front row of the room, once he found his favorite spot he scooted closer to the seat and transfer himself with ease. Orion followed him and sat beside him quickly, he lightly nudge the strategist on his side and smirked. “You should told me all about that Charm last night.” He whispered when suddenly bursts of students entered the classroom with gloomy looks on their faces as they head towards their seats. Murphy rests his chin on his hand while his elbow rests on his desk. As the students gathered, Orion bolt up from his seat when a Slytherin lad came up to him because he is sitting his spot. Before he left, Orion gave Murphy a wink and his lips whispering ‘Let’s meet back at the Common Room’ until he left for good. Professor Binns entered the classroom through the blackboard and Murphy took this as a sign to open his book and sets his page on the Goblin Rebellion.
The droning voice of their ghostly teacher echoed through the room causing some students to lose focus and instead sleep. Murphy let out a sigh, well at least he can take off some things that is running around his mind. But the warm embrace of Julia remain in his touch causing him to blush madly and hid his face by placing an open book in front of him.
After Orion and Julia scored, Skye flew by them and gave an encouraging smirk as she flew off to the other Slytherin Chasers who were now holding the Quaffle. Orion followed suite without hesitation and Julia looked towards the Commentator’s Box, gazing at Murphy with a small smile on her lips. She can feel tears streaming forming from the corner of her lids yet she remain compose as he is. She believe that he is extremely proud that the tactic work which she gave him a quick salute and off she goes. The Hufflepuff crowd cheered in excitement and pride, Dela Rosa wave her hand as she followed the Slytherin Chasers. She smirked, her face in game mode.
“Checkmate!” the blonde haired man chided as he defeated the witch in Wizard’s Chess in the third time in a row in one sitting. Julia just sighed in defeat and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I should’ve practice when I have some spare time.” Murphy heard her mutter and just chuckled. “I need to be honest Dela Rosa, but you are getting tougher to beat every time I defeat you! It’s like fighting a resilient griffin who kept standing with pride but defeated by a wizard to submis-“ Julia just shake her hand dismissively and scoffed.
“I understand, eh...” She just bit her lip and crossed her arms on the table for her to rest her chin upon. Eyeing the moving pieces lazily that were still standing in place, she knew to herself that she prefer to play Muggle Chess than Wizard’s Chess because the sight of pieces killing other pieces with lively motions made a sick pit in her stomach. “I can’t believe that I cannot snag a win from you.” The Quidditch commentator just smiled at her and grabbed a piece of grilled cheese sandwich right beside the chessboard. “Well, I guess you can try next time. But hey, I think I manage to swallow your words of third time’s the charm eh?” He took a bite from his sandwich and Julia shakes her head with a mocking eye roll which manage to earn a small laugh from the man in front of her.
Murphy swallow a portion of his sandwich and asked. “If you cannot defeat me in Wizard’s Chess,” he sets his hand on the table and leaned his body forward to move an inch closer to the bored witch who just lazily looked at him with a brow raised in mild interest. “why don’t you try beating me in a different game that I might never know but probably you are good at it?” He finished with a charming smile. Julia just sighed and sat up straight, her face in thought of what game she can defeat this strategist. Of course she knew that he gave up Gobstones because there is no strategy... and if he wants strategy-
“I have something in mind...” Julia said as she let out a small hum. “But I prefer not to show it.” Murphy raised a brow and finished his sandwich with one big bite. He had the courtesy of finishing chewing and swallow before speaking his words. “Why is that Dela Rosa?” “My answer to that is how foreign the game may appear for you. And besides... that game will take longer than Chess or any board game that you might heard of.”
This piqued his curiosity to a hundred percent. “Dela Rosa, you do know that I have 89.64% of liking a friendly challenge of strategy. Do you think that foreign rules and actions of this game in your mind will stop me?” Julia just pursed her lips in thought. “Maybe...” she answered which the commentator scoff at her. “Alright then!” He clapped his hands once and let out a smile. “When are we going to play it?”
Julia widen her eyes in surprise. She didn’t expect that he will be interested on playing a foreign board game. She wanted him to call quits because she felt a bit unsettled when playing with a person who might judge her taste, but the sight of Murphy’s determined eyes and warm smile made her to just give in. “I will probably give you a hint.” She muttered only for both of them to hear. “Under the new moon where the badgers gathered behind the roaring fire. They gather in the time when they hear the ball drop.” Murphy lose his smile which in return came a confused look on his face. “Are you playing riddles with me Julia?” She replied with a brief shrug. Julia stood up from her seat and pull out her wand from her sleeve, with a gentle wave the Chess pieces magically shrunk and the board began to bend in a form of a case where the pieces flew in neatly. The board close in a click and Murphy held on to it with his hands, he gave it over to Julia only to feel a small brush of her soft fingers as she mutter out a small thank you to the commentator. He can feel a small heat rising up to his cheeks but Julia never seem to notice his flustered face as she settled the chessboard carefully around her arms.
Julia gave off a small challenging smile to the Quidditch Strategist. “If you know that hint maybe you can play with this game of mine. Just don’t be late okay?” Murphy then nodded and asked her before she leave. “Are you going to attend a friendly?” She look back and shake her head. “If Skye and Orion are finding me, tell them that I’m studying for Potions. I don’t like mister Snape belittling me after having a not so good performance in my Doxycide.” Julia left Murphy as he still watch her leave with Penny’s chessboard with a small beaming smile. Some Hufflepuff students were sending off cheerful greetings to their beloved Chaser as she left the Great Hall in search for her friend.
The library is quiet thanks to Madam Pince’s sharp attention towards the students who were using her books to study. Julia rummage around the shelves to search a book in a lonely aisle only for her to smile slightly at the peaceful atmosphere. She pull out a book she needed and sat on one of the stools, as she skim around the pages searching for that specific chapter for Potions her other free hand slowly trail down to her pockets and felt a small leathery sachet bag where she fiddled subconsciously with her fingers. Two smooth hard stones were rolling around between her fingers, a smile began to grow further on her face as the thought of playing with Murphy in a game of Asian Go would be an interesting experience. No magic moving pieces who sometimes judge your actions, no seeing of pieces killing other pieces, and no more having lose streaks in a board game that you love. The stones slipped around slightly between her touch, she is eager to have a game with him.
If he can’t answer her riddle, she will be fine with it as well... she is honestly frightened on what others think if people can see her weird interests like tinkering around with Muggle technology and playing with foreign board games.
Murphy is having rough time in thinking about Julia’s riddle. He starts doubting about her Hufflepuffness and considered if she can be a Ravenclaw like Rath. He is skimming around the old pages of his playbooks, his eyes not so focusing on the statistics and results that were presented right before him because of her riddle flying around his thoughts which distracts him right to the core. This distraction made him have no mood to commentate for the friendly with the other Hufflepuffs. As he try to focus on his playbooks, a loud gust of wind brush past him that caught his attention. Skye and Orion were on their brooms and were looking at their fellow friend with concerned looks on their faces, they are set in full light gear for their friendly. The Parkin immediately asked the commentator, her voice seem to fell on worry. “Are you alright McNully? You don’t seem to have the energy to boom your voice out to the friendly.”
“Is something bothering your mind?” Orion asked. McNully just sighed a bit and slumped his shoulders, the two Chasers set their feet down to the Commentator’s Box and approach the quiet commentator who is now confused as ever. “I have never seen you become this quiet McNully! What has gotten in to you?!” Skye exclaimed as she and Orion sat beside him as their strategist speak. “Pardon my speechlessness my friends, but I have a 98.02% on having trouble on finding the answer of Julia’s riddle.”
“Riddles are quite... astonishing, you think? Makes the person have a waking mind on the things that surrounds them.” Orion muttered with a dreamy look which Skye gagged a bit in disgust. “Can you stop being a mind boggler Orion?!” Skye shouted which the strategist winced a bit at her volume. “Speaking of Julia, where is she though? I thought that she is going to have a friendly with us?” She asked which Murphy answered immediately. “She went to the library and study for her Potions class. I have a certainty that she is still there in a 42.01% chance if I add variables of having Madam Pince shouting at her or someone-“
“Can we just tackle on about this riddle of hers?” Orion asked, trying to get into the main topic. “I’m quite interested what is hiding behind in this riddle of hers, what makes her create this piece to you... a way to give a secret perhaps?” Skye just scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Fine by you captain,” She then look back to Murphy who is staring on his lap with a daze look on his face. “what’s this riddle she made though? Anything good?” She asked only to accompany with another remark from Orion. “If this riddle manage to bother you so much, I cannot allow you to suffer silently in not finding the answer behind her questioning motives. We are here to help you.”
Murphy just sighed and give in to their assistance. “Well it all began when we played Wizard’s Chess in the Great Hall, as usual I defeated Julia and-“ “Can you just skip it to the actual riddle Murphy? I’m a Chaser, not a Beater... I don’t like beating the bushes.” Skye disrupted. “Sometimes we beat the bush to give off certain clues before solving a mystery.” Orion commented. Murphy just chuckled at their antics and just skip off his dialogue to the riddle itself. “Well, Julia’s riddle goes as this- Under the new moon where the badgers gathered behind the roaring fire. They gather in the time when they hear the ball drop.” Orion and Skye looked at each other then back at Murphy. “Are you certain that that Julia is a Hufflepuff or a Polyjuiced Ravenclaw?” Orion placed a finger beneath his stubble. “Julia is as mysterious as the Cursed Vaults in Hogwarts, I’m certain that she has a reason behind it.”
“I just wanted to play this game of hers so that we can change things up between the both of us.” Murphy muttered under his breath which the two Chasers heard. “I slowly notice that she is getting bored every time I defeated her in Wizard’s Chess even though she gets tougher in playing her pieces against me after each defeat.” Skye seem to get the idea. “So you are saying that Julia told you this riddle of hers so that you two can play a different game because you don’t want her to be bored in playing the same game everyday with the same outcome?” “Well that is the summary of all of it.” Orion commented to Skye and Murphy just nodded.
“Her riddle is the only way for me to meet her in playing this game of hers. Of course, I was excited but I don’t want to miss this out. I have a 0.63% of knowing when we will play.” Skye widen her eyes at such negativity. “That is such a low percentage McNully!” She exclaimed. “I found this riddle having a toll on you indeed.” Orion muttered. “But despite of that, are we going to let you lose that chance? Let’s be mindful in answering this riddle, it might help you in searching where and when she can play with you.” Skye just chuckled and smiled. “For once, I have to agree with you Orion. Alright... so this riddle eh, first is the new moon.” Murphy just placed a finger beneath his chin in thought. “I was thinking if she meant a date or something...” Orion just smiled and nodded. “It is a date indeed McNully, tonight is the New Moon of this month.” Murphy jumped a bit on his seat in surprise. “You mean that she wants to play with me in this night?!” Skye just shrugged in response. “I mean, a moon appears every night... a New Moon makes it sound that you will meet her in the night.” Murphy’s face flushed a bit of red with a thought that is dancing around his mind.
Orion continue to ponder. “So it’s this night then... the other part of the riddle with the badgers... what do badgers represent?” “Well duh! Hufflepuff ofcourse!” Skye answered with confidence. “But exactly where in Hufflepuff? The common room?” Murphy guessed and Orion clicked his tongue. “It is a possibility, do you know any other place that Hufflepuff can be associated with?” Orion asked while Skye just ramble on answers that were not so sure in her behalf. “The kitchens? The Herbology classroom? A lot of our Hufflepuff mates went to the Kitchens every time, Herbology can be a place where our Head of House teach... so I can say that those places associate with Hufflepuff.” Murphy just raised a brow. “I do know that the riddle mentioned about a fire... I believe it can either be the Kitchens or the Common Room.”
Skye faces at Orion with a questioning look. “Do you think it’s possible that students can play in the Kitchens?” She asked. The self-aligned man answered. “You can play in any place as long as you put your focus on it.” Skye just rolled her eyes. “I guess this is a no then.” Murphy noted to himself and nodded. “This night, Hufflepuff Common Room... this sums it up.”
“But what about the ball drop thingy?” Skye asked. Murphy and Orion were thinking about it only to make the strategist beam in realization. “I got it! She wanted me to meet in midnight! The time when the ball drops meant the time where the grandfather clock chimed. And it’s midnight!”
Orion smiled. “Well I guess this answered your riddle eh?” Murphy is delighted with the help of his friends. “I wanted to thank you two so much!” He exclaimed which caused the Parkin to let out a laugh. “Well then, you can just repay it by giving us a free butter beer or two.” Orion nodded alongside with her. “I agree, having a free-spirited drink with a heart to heart conversation can be good as payment.” He chimed. Skye then placed a gloved hand on Murphy’s shoulder eyeing him with a small smirk. “Why don’t you ask her out as well to drink with us? I mean, it’s been a long time ever since we drink together as a team.” Murphy blushed a bit and stammered his words.
“I... ugh... I-“ Skye laughed heartily as she slapped her hand on his shoulder and settle on her broom to have a lift off. “Have a good night with her you dork!” She flew off with her Comet 260 only to leave Orion and Murphy behind on the box. The Hufflepuff captain then look back to the flustered commentator and let out a reassuring smile. “I wish you all luck in this game of hers.” Murphy just scoffed. “Luck is all about the matter of chance!” He argued which the captain shake his head and set himself on his broom to leave. But before he left he look back to the commentator and give off a nod. “This night that you are spending with her... don’t waste it. I have seen it in your eyes that you fancy her. I’m sending you all the luck you can get, if you think it’s all about chance then take the chances to be with her because they cannot wait.” Orion then leave with a madly blushing McNully behind.
It’s almost midnight, most of the Hufflepuff students left to their rooms to sleep soundly in peace and Julia is rummaging around her luggage case to get what she needs for the night. Her roommate, Rowan, is snoring loudly on her bed; Julia kept all of her cool on not covering her face with a blanket to slop the loud snoring that is annoying her sanity. She quietly looked around her tools and found a wooden box with two wooden jars with their lids clipped tightly shut. She placed them on the floor and slowly push her closed luggage beneath her bed. A soft meow was heard behind her and she look back to see her calico cat, Italy, eyeing her curiously. “Sorry Italy, I can’t seem to sleep with you tonight. I have to meet with someone for a game to play.” The cat meowed in response and hop off from his chair and approach his master with quick steps, pawing her leg affectionately. “I guess you want to accompany me eh? Follow my lead.” She picked up the box and the two jars and left her room to head to the Hufflepuff Common room with her fellow Calico cat. As she descend down the stairs with the equipment in hand she notice the dim glow of the fire from the Common Room out the edges of the circular wooden door. Italy trotted down the stairs alongside her, tail slightly waving around her leg. Julia hold on to the warm knob of the door and open it only for her to see a familiar silhouette of a man sitting on the sofa who is skimming around the pages of his playbooks.
Julia widen her eyes a bit and gulped. Italy just meowed loudly which cause the young man to turn to face her, a cheeky smile erupt on his face as he sets his silvery blue eyes on Julia. It was only them and the cat in the middle of the night in the Hufflepuff Common Room. She didn’t know that this would happen to be honest for her.
“You... answered the riddle?” She asked then Italy approach the lone strategist with a cautious sniff. Murphy just hummed in response then sets his eyes on to the calico cat who is now staring at him with a head tilt on to his side. He leaned down and carry the cat effortlessly on to his lap, Italy didn’t seem to mind at the touch of the stranger and nestled calmly around his lap. Julia seem to notice a different look on Murphy in this night, his yellow and black striped tie hanging loosely around his neck undone, his black Hufflepuff robes slung haphazardly on the backrest of his wheelchair that is beside him, his playbooks were scattered around the sofa and some on the floor. He looks pretty beat up in a different kind of term. “How long have you been waiting?”
He began stroking the purring calico absentmindedly and answered her with a gesture of his free hand. “Well apparently I was waiting for you during 10:36 pm after our curfew, I manage to persuade our prefect for me to stay here throughout the night by lying that I was studying for my Charms test which I just gambled my 37.08% of not being caught on doing some weird stunt that will destroy our House’s reputation. She manage to find out my lie and I just told her that I have a game with you of something which she kindly let me go with a fair warning on prohibiting myself to leave the Common Room premises.” Julia just got baffled at his words and shakes her head. “Well then... I guess I have no choice eh?” He smiled a bit. “No choice indeed!”
The fire in the fireplace crackled lightly, emitting enough light throughout the room between them. Julia sat cross legged on the carpet floor and began setting up her equipment, she starts by unlatching some clasps from the wooden box which manage to separate itself into four medium size pieces. She sets them down and latch the clasps on to the sides to form a board with a 8x8 grid appear on the surface, Murphy leaned down carefully with the cat who is staring at what his master is doing with curiosity. She sets the two jars beside her and looks back at Murphy with a nervous smile on her face. “Would you like to accompany me with a game of Go?”
Murphy is interested at what she might present to him, so he carry the cat off his lap and set Italy down the carpet floor. Julia then proceed to stand to help him but McNully just raise a hand to stop her and smiled. “I can do it.” He muttered then shifted his body carefully down the floor, his immobilized legs seem to tangle a bit which Julia noticed. She approach him and help fixing his legs to get a comfortable position causing the Quidditch strategist to let out a very visible blush as he faintly felt her fingers through the fabric of his pants. He sat at the opposite end of the board while Julia is on the other side, she opened both wooden jars beside her and Murphy saw a jar of polished black stones and a jar of polished white stones. She picked one from each jar and place one in her palm, she hid both of her hands behind her and Murphy noticed that she is shuffling the stones behind her back. “What are you doing?” He asked. “Giving off a chance on who is who to get the first move.” She answered then she shows her two fists facing him to pick, he looks both of her fists then brushed his fingers lightly on to her left hand’s knuckles as a choice. Her hands are extremely soft.
She revealed her palm to show a polished black stone.
“In Chess, the white pieces go first. But in Asian Go, the black pieces will make its first stance.” She stated then gave him the polished black stone. “Before we get to the rules and basics, do you have any questions?” She asked, waiting if the Hufflepuff strategist is interested in the game. Murphy chuckled and nodded. “Indeed I am, can you tell me anything you know about this game?” He asked. Julia smiled and gave the black jar of polished black stones to Murphy’s side. “This is Go. An ancient traditional board game from Asia. I learn this a lot from my grandfathers as a way to pass time or if our family chessboard has been borrowed by a relative of mine. It is called as a board game for aristocratic scholars in Asia.” She dig her fingers in to the jar of white stones and pull out a fistful amount of stones in her palm, her eyes observing each stone feature to check if there are any cracks or blemishes. “I will tell you the history and my time with Go as well as we play, but now I want to have a quick play this night. I will teach you the basics.” Murphy smiled and crossed his arms. “I’m ready to learn, teach!” He exclaimed playfully which she giggled, he lightly blush at her reaction and look down to his jar of stones.
“First of all, you got the first stance, as you placed your very first stone in the board you will have your very first ‘liberty’ or stone foundation. Then after you place your stone, it’s my turn. It will also be your turn or mine if one of us want to pass the move if you can’t seem to find any place to put your stone.” She picked up one whit stone and twirl it around her fingers, eyes staring calmly on to the Go board. “To play a stone on the board, place it in the intersections of the grids.” She gestured the strategist to play his stone on the grid and he first pick his black stone from his jar. But he seem hesitant. “What are the motives of the game though? How should I win?”
Julia smiled cheekily as Italy hopped over her lap and curl around peacefully, closing his eyes to sleep with his tail swishing around the air softly. “The way to win this game is to get the large amount of territory covered and the amount of captured enemy pieces.” She answered which made the commentator to nod. He placed one black stone near to the corner on the far left, and Julia placed a white stone right beside his stone. “There are a lot of rules in Go, they are quite complex than the average Chess game. Example of those rules is the Ko Rule which is my absolute favorite.”
“What is this Ko Rule?” He asked while placing another stone right beside his own stone. Julia immediately placed her stone right behind her other stone. “It is a Forbidden Challenge Rule,” she replied as suddenly Murphy placed another stone on to the corner, testing the waters and watching how it plays. “It is a rule where you surround the enemy stones and proceed to capture them by placing your own stone inside the boundary to corner them, hence I have a clear territory. But there will be another open space where the enemy cannot play where in turn they will not capture a part of my stones in return that is still inside the territory.” She smiled then placed her stone right beside her own which manage to form a small chain and Murphy noticed that she is cornering him which manage to prove his hunch. He placed another stone to avoid her surrounding him immediately. “Ko Rule helps me to prove my stance and challenge the enemy player to fight me if they dare, it will be like a challenge of repetition which can annoy both players. But in return helps me to create more trapping territories against my enemies.” She stated and placed another stone, but this time she placed in inside the boundary he is in. She is trying to form the Ko and Murphy placed another stone, trying to counter it. “Do you get what I mean?” She asked as she placed another stone, the position made Murphy found out that she is really challenging his stones.
Murphy looks up from the game board and let out a small smile. “Indeed!” He exclaimed as he made another counter move, challenging her stones as well. Julia widen her eyes in surprise, and she place her stone which manage to surround one of his stones. “Well would you look at that...” He muttered as Julia began picking up one of his captured stones and placed it on the side near his jar. “Do you get the gist?” Murphy smirked a bit and placed a his polished black stone that Julia didn’t noticed where his stones manage to surround some of her stones. She look down to the board and raised a brow in surprise. “Not bad.”
“A lot of people told me that I adapt at everything! Except playing in Quidditch of course, I don’t have the exact mobility to fly up with a broom...” Murphy stated as he cross his arms in pride. Julia just shakes her head and pointed her fingers to her captured stones. “These stones are not going to be picked up by themselves.” Murphy chuckled and picked up the captured stones where he dropped them off to the side near Julia’s jar with polished white stones.
Julia and Murphy continued playing Go, Julia’s white stones were creating more territories while Murphy is focusing more on trying to turn her off by destroying her territories by invading her spaces and in return Julia would keep creating traps that will overturn the battle. The game between the two were quite... intimate. Nothing but the sound of the crackling of firewood, the scent of wood and earth from the plants near them, and the soft chilly breeze of the nightly winds that were brushing past around them. Murphy never felt so... content with her in such a board game. Does he get used in the loud noises of playing Chess in the Great Hall? Does he probably get used in commanding around pawns, knights, and bishops to attack and defend and not in just... quietly placing pieces to form territories? Everything what they are doing felt so... peaceful. Is this what Julia wanted when they play a game? A quiet environment where she can focus? Murphy had a lot of questions in mind... and for a first time in his surprise he never had a thought about Quidditch even a single thing about it. He slowly realize that this game is quite a lot about Julia, prefer silence, concentration, and even strategy much to his delight. She is quite loud when she seems highly interested in some things both related to Quidditch or the Cursed Vaults, the sight of seeing her... like this... is an entirely different experience. Murphy never knew much about Julia as how she never knew much about himself.There are faint sounds of polished stones touching wood as they play and stones clashing to each other as they drop to the other captured stones. It is a very peaceful game indeed.
While playing she explained as well the other rules of Go, the strategist noticed that she spoke passionately about the board game and asked more. “How long have you been playing this game, Julia?” “I’ve been playing Go ever since I started playing Chess and got bored with it.” She answered while playing her stone that created an invasion in Murphy’s territory. “My grandfather introduced me to Go when I said that Chess made me bored because of attack and defense shenanigans.” Murphy then placed another stone which captured three stones from her.
“I can’t believe that you got bored in Chess!” Murphy exclaimed as he looks up to Julia’s eyes who is still looking down in his stones with observation, then placed a stone that manage to create a long chain throughout the board which formed two territories. Murphy pursed his lips, a bit nervous on what she is planning with her stones. He then starts by forming stones that will try breaking the chain in the corners of the board. “By the way, why do you like Go?”
Julia stopped midway on placing her stone to avoid her stone chain on being destroyed. The blonde young man noticed Julia who bit her lip and smiled reassuringly to her. “I believe in a 76.04% that you are quite insecure of your hobbies, that you are afraid to be judged. Right?” She just nodded softly and placed her stone, that is quite far from where the main issue is happening. Murphy noticed this and placed his stone quite near to her last placed stone. “I won’t judge you.” He stated and settled his hands on his lap, the sound of the crackling of fire beside them go softly and the snore of the little cat that is still dozing off on Julia’s lap echoed throughout the common room. “People judged me a lot, especially ever since I came here to Hogwarts.” He grabs a handful of his stones and fiddling them around between his fingers. “So I know what if feels like. They immediately judged me because of my state and also how it connects towards my interest.”
“Well I’m quite afraid that people will judge me a lot on some things that wizards and witches don’t do.” She stated. “Go is not what they play, it’s not as magical as Wizard’s Chess where they move to do stuff on their own and Gobstones where it spits liquid to the loser’s face. It’s nothing more than just placing stones here and there where you create boundaries and territories. It will look like a boring game of stones in most of the eyes of wizards and witches.” After giving off three more moves between them Julia continued. “I like this game because on how much this reminds me of.” Julia smiled then captured five of Murphy’s stones. “Go is a game about life and death, conquer and glory, to fight threat or run away from it. Even if it is just a single game of two stones, it told me a lot more than Chess.” She stated as Murphy continue to stare back at her, she smiled and leaned back where her hands support herself from behind. “The similarities between Chess and Go is that one must conquer the other to win, but one thing I like on Go is that each stone has a different purpose than one specific role.”
Murphy chuckled and placed another stone which caught Julia’s four white stones. “In the way you speak about Go, you reminded me a lot like Orion... philosophical and seeking meaning about everything.” Julia laughed which manage to make her cat jolt awake from the sound, but slowly doze off again when she settled down. “I admire your passion though, Dela Rosa.” “Thank you Murphy.” She said and looked down at the board and smiled. She looked back at Murphy’s eyes. “Pass.” She said which surprised Murphy, he looked down the board and tried to observe the situation but then give up. “Pass.” He said and Julia gestured her hand to give him a hand shake which manage to make Murphy confused. “Congratulations...” She said as Murphy held her soft hand to shake slightly. “You won, Murphy.”
“Wait... what?” He asked, baffled at her results. “You won.” She said again and let go his hand which made the strategist to crave more of her warm touch. “You manage to gather more territory and cover some parts that I cannot invade. I’m impressed.” She gestured the board and smiled cheekily. “I already counted the scores needed for the end results if both of us say pass.” She then started to clean up the stones and Murphy remained speechless. “I want to sleep.” She stated as she finished cleaning up the stones and return them back to their respective jars. She then starts packing up the Go board when suddenly Murphy held on to her wrist... quite a bit desperately. “Can we just...” He softly begged. “Stay here for a while?” Julia tilted her head to the side and smiled. She set aside her equipment and let both of them stay on the carpet floor, a content hum erupt from his throat. He smiled and scooted himself closer to the silent Cursed breaker. “I just... want to spend more time with you.” He muttered.
Julia just ignored what he said with a wave of her hand dismissively but her stance show otherwise. She stroke the dozing calico cat quietly with a calm smile evident on her lips. Murphy got close to her in an inch by their shoulders, her short build made him have the instinct to place his arm behind her shoulders protectively. This is his first time to be so close other than the time they were studying his playbooks back at the Commentary Box where only the two of them, in their own little worlds, alone and spending time in learning Quidditch strategy. Julia glance her brown eyes to the grandfather clock and saw that it’s almost 2 in the morning. “We should return back.” She stated and Murphy frowned. Please... a little more... he thought to himself as he look back at her who she began coaxing her cat to wake so that she can stand. Julia picked up her equipment then placed it on the yellow sofa, she then gestured a hand towards Murphy to help him get back to his wheelchair. Murphy accepted her hand and she pull him up a bit with the help of aiding himself with his other hand on the sofa. She placed another hand towards his hips lightly and felt her fingers sliding softly near his pocket, trying to carry him to his chair by not so touching him too much. He slowly move himself towards his chair and sat down, he didn’t let go her hand as he try to pull her closer.
“Julia I-...” he muttered, trying to speak up. His face is getting more redder than usual which made Julia worried. “Are you sick?” Murphy widen his eyes in surprise and shakes his head. “No... I was... ugh-...” He is so speechless right now... just like the time she conducted the Thimblerig Shuffle on their first House Match and the time she got her Comet 260 when she smiled through her broom drift. “Julia... I-... I really...” He bit his bottom lip and smiled nervously back at her. “Julia, I really want you to come with me with Orion and Skye for a Butterbeer tomorrow in Hogsmeade.” He said as Julia chuckled and nodded. “Of course I will! It’s been a long time since I last took a sip of Butterbeer with friends.” Murphy smiled and slowly let go her very soft hand. Merlin, he really do wanted to be with her. “Have a nice night Murphy!” She said as she pull out her wand from her pocket and pointed it to the fireplace. “Aguamenti.” She said the incantation softly which the tip of her wand send out a short burst of water that is enough to extinguish the fire. The common room fell to darkness, but the dim waning light of the new moon flowing out through the windows give sufficient light to show visible silhouettes to the both of the,. Murphy turn his wheelchair to head to his dormitory but stopped midway to look back and call her. “Julia.” She picked up her equipment and look back at him in response, Italy the calico cat trotted away to the dormitory that leaves only them truly alone in the Hufflepuff Common Room. “Let’s play again tomorrow.” He said.
He can faintly hear her giggle. “I still have some Potions work to do. How about the weekends? Same night?” She offered. He nodded. “I’m a 100.01% looking forward to it.” He stated. “Good night, Julia.” He then look forward and roll his wheelchair towards his dorm. As he reached his dorm he threw his tie lazily to his nightstand and motion himself to move towards the bed from his wheelchair. He lie down after a struggle and let out a long tired sigh, he unconsciously touch his hands and smiled. “That is quite a nice game.” He muttered to himself. He tried to move himself to a side to sleep, but he felt something hard pressing the side of his hips. He then try to sit up and check the object, he pull the switch of his lamp which emit a dim warm light for him to see. Murphy checks his bed but there is nothing to be seen, except he saw and evident small lump on his pocket where he dig his hand in to feel a small leathery sachet bag. He pull it out and bring it towards the lamp light. A small leathery sachet bag sat on his palm with a red ribbon tied around the opening, he unknotted the ribbon and remove the contents of the bag only to see a polished black stone that rolled on to his palm. A Go piece.
Murphy squinted his eyes to check further and see a small tiny clean paint job on the surface of the stone, it’s obvious that Julia owned these because she is the only Witch in Hogwarts who owned a Go board. A beautiful etch of a bird is presented on the black Go piece and when he turn it over he only took sight of a mysterious symbol with strokes so clean and natural. He will ask Julia about this when the sun rose later. He return the stone back to the sachet bag and tied it closed, he placed it on his nightstand and turn off his lamp. He then lie down to his bed and smiled to himself. All content.
It’s morning and Murphy with his roommates were surprised to see an owl perching near the small window with a letter on its beak who seem to be trying to cry out in annoyance and impatience. The familiar barn owl is staring at Murphy, he rolled his wheelchair closer and obtained the letter, which the bird then screeched at him... he later guessed that the bird is waiting for him to wake up a while ago and it left after he had his letter. He opened it and saw a familiar writing of Julia on to the old parchment.
Morning Murphy,
Do you have the Go piece? Good if you have it, if you are curious about the symbol behind the bird... that is a Kanji symbol... it is called Yoshi or in English... Luck. Please take care of it, it done a lot for me during my Curse Breaking stuff and Quidditch, alright? Let’s drink some Butterbeer after a Friendly with Orion and Skye, okay? You better commentate at your box, alright?
Murphy smiled to himself as his roommates look over to his shoulder and smirked. “It seems our commentator has a girlfriend eh?” He blushed madly and lash out his wand pointing at them threateningly. “No rumors... I’m at 99.98% sure that I will cast the strongest hex I learned to you all before you all say Quidditch.”
And out of the blue a loud voice yell outside their dorm. “MURPHY MCNULLY! YOUR BLOODY PLAYBOOKS ARE STILL IN THE BLOODY COMMON ROOM, CLEAN THESE BEFORE I SET THEM UP ON FIRE!” Murphy sets his wand down and he can feel a shadow clouded over his head. Not today you lot, he thought to himself and rolled out his wheelchair to save his beloved books.
“A player must have the strength to play, the smarts to counter, the hope to learn, the dedication to aid, and the guts to win no matter what happens.”
amandla
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
2087
izzy806
germansingergirl
blakekathryn
turnnoffyourmind
areudirty
prguitarman
