「 a king without a crown 」

Kingsley Khalfani Shacklebolt. ❝ To be a GENTLE soul in a HARD body is difficult —- but not I M P O S S I B L E ❞ Ravenclaw. Prefect.

[lavandarbrown-blog]

- Tyler, I’m gonna leave in a sec if you wanna come with me. - Nah, I gotta bail, man. I gotta finish these internship apps.

[rabvstanlestrange]

*&【 starter for @kingshacklebclt

     ❝ Let me guess, you’ve started on the potions assignment early. ❞ Rabastan stood ramrod straight as he approached Shacklebolt, voice overflowing with its perpetual irritation and slight amusement. Ravenclaws bore incessant need to impress Hogwarts faculty with their typically lacklustre intellectual finesse. Their skill alone wouldn’t allow them to join the renowned SLUG CLUB– they needed to hold some importance. Shacklebolt contained some semblance of both, apparently. ❝ I’m sorry to disappoint, however. ANDROMEDA won’t be joining you today. ❞

[kingshacklebclt]

Kingsley stopped his motions mid-stir, the ladle still in his hands. He hadn’t been expecting company at this hour —- not even with the Aurors walking about —- much less Rabastan Lestrange slithering into the empty classroom. It was a free hour, not before curfew and while Kingsley had his own suspicions, he is the one working on a potion in the Dungeons after hours. 

He completed his stirring and turned from Rabastan, reaching to get Honeywater. “A bit of a side project actually,” he informed the Slytherin. “Slughorn has been teaching me more advanced potions I might need as an Auror.” He measured what he needed from the vial and added it into the cauldron. “How is your betrothed? Is she still ill? I heard it was a  n a s t y  feat.”

[dromvda]

❝I should have just tried bribing her. The old bat would eventually name her price.❞ Her tone hushed, she looked over her shoulder, glaring at the young student behind him. ❝What did you bring him for? We don’t need an audience.❞ It was terrible enough, that she was helpless, and disgusting — partially because of Kingsley, though the blame couldn’t entirely be put on his shoulders, she had wanted this. 

❝Hopefully it’s NEARBY, hm? I don’t think Pomfrey would have left it too far, she understands that it is vital for me to have some relief.❞ She wouldn’t last too long, till the next bout of sickness. The vomitting, headaches, and fever would return like clockwork. Clamping her hand over her mouth, she swallowed back the awful feeling rising back up. ❝Time is of the essence, Shacklebolt. Two minutes tops, before I ruin your robes.❞

[kingshacklebclt]

“Madam Poppy Pomfrey is a sweet noble woman who is not easily swayed by bribery.” Kingsley turned around once again at the student, suggesting that they maybe should watch the doors, giving him and Andromeda a small ounce of privacy. “I wasn’t going to leave him to those monsters. Apologies for saving his life,” he explained. 

Kingsley took a step back away from Andromeda, with a wary look on his face. “Wouldn’t want that, would we?” He shoved his hand into his pants pocket and pulled out a small vial filled with a dark greenish, sludge-like content, akin to the potion he had given Andromeda a day before. “Kept it with me in case you changed your mind.” 

[edwcrdtcnks]

              ted nodded along as kingsley talked – he made good points, things that had crossed his mind more than once over the years. even though they were similar, muggles and wizards, the fact that they were DIFFERENT made them something that could be feared. “well, my mum and dad were good about it… once they believed it.” he replied with a shake of his head, laughing at the memory. “mum thought it was a joke. it wasn’t until sprout turned up that they realized it was a REAL thing.” sobering after a moment, he looked away as he clasped his hands together, shifting slightly to crack his knuckles. “my grandmum wasn’t quite as accepting – she, ah, hasn’t spoken to any of us since i got my letter.” he shrugged his shoulders. “not everyone’s as ACCEPTING as my parents thankfully were.”

a snort slipped out from between his lips at the words, a grin settling over his features. “hey now, she’ll be mrs. ted tonks… she’ll be a lucky, lucky, woman.” despite his better judgment, andromeda flashed before his eyes, and he blinked away the visual as he cleared his throat. keep dreaming, tonks, he reminded himself. that’s never happening.

[kingshacklebclt]

Kingsley nodded, glad that Ted had a good support system. Muggle families denouncing their wixen children was not unheard of, and he could only imagine what happened to them during the summers. “That’s good to know,” he said to his friend, "though, I’m sorry about your grandmother. Hopefully one day she’ll be understanding.” 

He laughed even more at Ted’s sentiment, if anything to tease the Hufflepuff more, even going as far as to wipe away a nonexistent tear. “Sure, mate.”

[evanrsiers]

[ SACRED 28 PUREBLOOD FAMILIES EDITORIAL SERIES ]·Shacklebolt

↳ Kingsley Shacklebolt was an accomplished and formidable wizard, being enough of a skillful duellist to survive numerous encounters with dangerous Dark wizards. The opposite of the pure-blood advocates, he believed in equality and fairness for all wizards and Muggles. (x)

[dromvda]

Kingsley. Without a thought, Andromeda ran forward, throwing her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. ❝I have literally never been happier to see you.❞ Pulling away, a smile plastered across her lips, her hand cracked against his cheek. Taking a look at the frightened student behind him, she kept her voice to a whisper. ❝That potion of yours almost killed me. I said sick enough not to leave the school, not bedridden and ready to DIE.❞

Putting her arms through the robe around her shoulders, she glanced around the room — potions would be no help. The creatures weren’t going to wait politely while they brewed a potion. ❝There is nothing of use in here, we need to get out. We need to get as many students as we can, and get them to the Great Hall.❞ Coughing into the crook of her arm, Andromeda slumped against the bed, her accusing glare looking right at Kingsley. ❝If only there was an ANTIDOTE, or potion to help regain some of my strength.❞

[kingshacklebclt]

——- Oof. Kingsley had to take a step back from the force of Andromeda coming at him to keep from falling over. His arms were spread out not knowing exactly what to do, but let her hug him until she pulled away. He was going to say something to her about saying you’re welcome, but she had other plans as she slapped him across the face. “Bloody —-” he hissed, rubbing his cheek. King turned to smile at the young student, reassuring them that there was no issue and that this was just how they said hello. In a hushed tone, he replied to her, “You wanted it to be convincing didn’t you? Pomfrey isn’t as dumb as you might think.” 

“Is there actually something that can kill it?” he asked aloud, glancing around at the windows lining the walls. “Where did they even come from?” Kingsley watched as she coughed, and cleared his throat. “Ahm, there might be one.”

[dromvda]

The potion given to her by Kingsley and Rosa had worked, all too well. Though her fever had broken short hours after Bellatrix had left, her body was still weak. WEAK was not a word she liked associated with her, especially not when her clammy, shaking body, was on the floor hiding behind her bed. A LETHIFOLD, this was the work of her sister, or one of HIS many followers. It had to be, who else could procure something so rare. ❝expecto patronu —❞ Another crash of beds being overturned, it was moving closer. Damn it, she needed to concentrate. Shutting her eyes, with each deep breath, she concentrated — she needed a memory — opening her eyes, she kept in mind the faces of her sisters, before the darkness had taken over. The innocence of their youth, perhaps the happiest they had ever been, no talk of the Dark Lord tainting them — though the odd tune playing her mind was one she could not place. Raising her wand, she pointed at the figure approaching her bed. ❝EXPECTO PATRONUM!❞

 —- A flash of bright light, and the creature was forced out. Not dead, but she was safe for now. Collapsing back against the bed, she braced herself once again, as the sound of footsteps grew louder. ❝Take one more step, and I promise you will regret it.❞ Pulling the robe from the hospital bed, she pulled it over her shoulders. Whether it was shock, or the potions she had taken, she could not escape the chill that had taken over her body. Pushing herself up, she kept a hand gripped around her wand. ❝There are creatures attacking, and you’re running to hide?❞

[kingshacklebclt]

The instant he heard screaming, Kingsley shot down the corridor, his robes billowing behind him. He had taken an extra shift of rounds since Andromeda was out of commission; since he (temporarily) put her out of commission. The night had relatively been quiet and he had nearly fallen into a meditative state while walking the castle. Nothing like a blood curdling scream to wake you up. Reaching the juncture of the hallway Kingsley was met to face a floating cloaked figure scouring towards a young student cowering in the corner.

His wand at the ready, he raised his hand and flicked a stunning spell at the creature ———- to no avail. Kingsley had to think  q u i c k l y  as it started towards him instead. He thought back to Defense Against the Dark Arts and Magical Creatures and came up with nothing, having never seen something like this before. But he has seen something similar. It wasn’t a dementor, but King was running out of time and so he  a c t e d. 

Kingsley thinks of summers in the countryside; running through museums; receiving his grandfather’s wand —- and casts a PATRONUS charm. A bright white light fills the hall and all Kingsley can ear is a shrill cry, but not from the student —- from the creature as it retreats away, probably going to another part of the castle. “Come with me,” he says, reaching a hand for the fallen student. Better to keep them close in case the thing comes back. Just then, Kingsley remembered Andromeda, still in the Hospital Wing indisposed. He couldn’t just leave her there. 

Taking the other student along, they rushed towards the Hospital Wing with their wands drawn. Turning the corner, Kingsley busted through the door first, keeping the younger student behind him. “ ——- WOAH !!” he threw his arms up in surrender at the girl’s pointed wand. He didn’t know much about Andromeda, but he had seen her throw a spell and it was not a good idea to be on the receiving end. “It’s just me !” he yelled. “And well, another student.” Kingsley dropped his hands and ushered them inside, closing the door behind them. “Hiding? Sorry if I wanted to check on you, but you are alone in the Hospital Wing while creatures are terrorizing the school.” 

[edwcrdtcnks]

              “they would probably think it wasn’t a huge loss – our lives.” teddy commented quietly. if he’d learned anything reading through muggle history books it was that people who were DIFFERENT, who went against what they believed to be NORMAL, were usually persecuted the hardest. things weren’t like that in the wizarding world, not to that extent. or at least they hadn’t been until he-who-must-not-be-named and his campaign of blood purity had threatened to take over. maybe they were the same as the muggles, deep down. persecuting anyone who deviated from what they viewed as RIGHT. “they’d be scared of us. sure, some wouldn’t be, and maybe they’d think it was COOL, but others would be scared.” he swallowed thickly. “there was this movement a long time ago… they used to burn witches at the stake. the salem witch trials. there’s a reason we hide from them.” 

“merlin, don’t mention children.” ted interrupted, shaking his head as he held up his hands. “i can barely remember to take the dog for walks when i’m home over break – i’d be USELESS with a child. can you imagine?”

[kingshacklebclt]

“Times have changed; perhaps minds have too,” he said hopefully, though he knew it carried no weight. Looking in the Muggle world now things were only a tad more tolerant of strange things than they were before. “Maybe you’re right.” Maybe because they’d be scared is why He started this crusade; to show that Wizards were the apex species. “Yes, I’m aware,” Kingsley may have not gone to Muggle primary school or learned much about American history, but he knew of that. Those poor girls and the families who had to go into hiding. “A lot of what drives hate is fear —- especially with Muggles. I’ve always wondered, how did your parents take their son being a Wizard?”

He chuckled quietly, his lips curving to a small smile, “I imagine it takes a village. I feel sorry for your future wife.”

[lornlorpez-deactivated20210701]

“Surprised it’s not a howler,” he joked, laughing. He took the letter from Kingsley and started to read it out loud. “Dear, Kingsley-kins, I miss you dearly and hope you come home soon. Don’t worry: I’ve sent more of that ointment you need for your problem. Love, Grandma.” He laughed, knowing full well the letter didn’t actually say that.”What a sweet lady.”

[kingshacklebclt]

Kingsley laughed along, plucking the letter from the other’s hands, “How on Earth, did you find out my childhood nickname? I was so sure everyone who knew that was silenced.” He flipped the seal open and read some parts aloud, “My dearest grandson —- Kingsley-kins —- I hope your studies are going well ... word of your acquaintances’ betrothals —- ah yes.” King shoved the parchment back into the envelope to finish reading later. “Grandmother is once again insisting that I get married as soon as school finishes.”

[trvverrsx]

        “if you don’t want to read it, just BURN it. who cares what the old BAT has to say?”

[kingshacklebclt]

“Tempting, but not the wisest decision. She probably wants to discuss marriage prospects.”

[scyre]

       “look on the bright side, mate… at least it’s not a HOWLER, yeah?”

[kingshacklebclt]

“Nah, my grandmother’s not that kind of woman. She’s the level-headed voice kind of threatening; if she doesn’t scare you with a glance then you’re braver than I thought, and I’d pray for your safety.”

[dromvda]

❝Could have been a howler, I would thank you lucky stars.Anyways, Kingsley, how well are you doing in Potions?❞

[kingshacklebclt]

“That you are right. Though, the woman finds sending howlers is tactless,” he tucked the envelope into his robes to open later, quirking up an eyebrow at the Head Girl’s inquisition. “Exceptionally.”

[kingshacklebclt]

“Oh beautiful. Another letter from my grandmother. This should be fun.”

[edwcrdtcnks]

              ted nodded his head. kingsley made a good point – he’d seen many people, GOOD people, simply turn their eyes away from what was happening right in front of him. being a muggleborn, ted didn’t have that luxury… though he was quite sure he wouldn’t have done as such even if he wasn’t. “i don’t think it’s UNWISE, really, thinking about a career in the muggle world. all things considered.” he admitted. “but, though i’m no gryffindor, i’m not one to run away from trouble… or live my life in fear. it’s a tough line to straddle, i suppose… and it’s hard to believe we’re seventh years { and running out of time } already.”

[kingshacklebclt]

“It would be nice wouldn’t it?” he asked, perhaps even revealing some things about himself he didn’t even know. “To live life in bliss of the magical world —- especially these days. Do you ever wonder that if things continue to turn for the worst that the Muggles would know? Don’t get me wrong, I hope that it never gets as far but do you think that in the crux of it that they would know that there are people with abilities they don’t have are dying to protect them? What would they think?” The hypothetical of having Muggles and Wixen live among each other in the open without fear is one of Kingsley’s favorite things to think about. An interconnected world where both can benefit and where neither side are hunted out of hate. It was a ... dangerous thought. “Seven years gone by a little too quickly in my opinion. Next thing we know we’ll have jobs in the Ministry, and be raising children and sending them off to school.”

[edwcrdtcnks]

             “you’re probably the only one who DOES,” ted commented wryly, glancing up at kingsley. his blood status was something that he was reminded of every day – NOT that he was ashamed of that. “but yea, comics, i always loved those. they just put out Secret Society of Super Villain before term started back up – i’ve got it in my trunk, if you’re interested. “ he smiled at the thought of moving comics, nodding his head. maybe they would love it, but muggles certainly wouldn’t be able to understand what they’re seeing. “i dunno, mate, sometimes i feel GUILTY of even thinking about all this… especially with everything going on out there. it’s dangerous times we live in.”

[kingshacklebclt]

Kingsley hummed, understanding what Ted meant. It was such an odd thing for him to be proud of —- the fact that his family was so ambiguous with their stance on blood purity, even more so Kingsley who was openly but not outright supportive of Muggle-borns and Halfbloods. It was so odd to him because he felt as if it should be a universal sentiment that they are all equally capable of magic. “Yeah? I’d love to read it,” he smiled. “Guilty about what? About talking about ... things as if everything was okay in the world? Because, Ted, it’s perfectly okay. It’s okay as long as we recognize that it’s still going on. You’re not delusional like others have been about it. Trust me.”

[galaxiienoire-blog]

The Ravenclaw’s remark had caught Amelia unprepared and forced her to take a few moments and think of a suitable reply. “OK, re-memorizing the pitch. I admit, some things slipped through the cracks.” A small shrug. “But i’m working on improving.”

[kingshacklebclt]

“Amateur move, Bones,” King said shaking his head. “It’s a good thing you’re out here then, practice makes perfect as they say —- or as close as you can get.”  

[galaxiienoire-blog]

“Oh, they’ve had plenty practice King, trust me. Not leaving anything to chance! I’m just doing a little overtime so i can memorize the pitch. You know, for when i fly circles around you during the match—with my eyes closed.” The Hufflepuff joked back with a casual shrug.  

[kingshacklebclt]

“So you’re saying that all these years on the pitch and you’re memorizing it now?” he chuckled. Kingsley didn’t really have the deep drive of competition as much as his companions, but he did like the friendly heckling.