so you wanna play with magic?

leo montenegro. banchory '78, hogwarts '81. slytherin.

[leonxra]

full name: leonora montenegro

pronouns/gender identity: she/her, cisfemale

birth date: november 1st, 1959

star sign: scorpio sun, scorpio rising

blood status: pureblood

hogwarts house: slytherin

Some people believe that knowledge is power; others might say that power is power. For Leonora Montenegro, the answer would actually lie somewhere in the middle.

A smart child from the get-go, Leo had a voracity for knowledge from a young age. She was a fast learner and remarkably driven for her age. If she said she would achieve something, then she would. The thing was, as she grew into her teenage years, Leonora quickly realized that she was destined for greatness. Growing arrogant and more competitive, she wasn’t apologetic about being better than most. Her attitude started to worry her mother, though. She tried everything to contain Leo’s antics, but nothing seemed to work, and more and more she felt like she wasn’t up to the task.

Maybe if Teresa Montenegro hadn’t given up on her daughter and shipped her off to Banchory Institute when she was 15, things might have turned out differently. Still, a confused single mother did what she thought she had to do. Unfortunately for Teresa, her daughter proved to be far more resourceful and conniving than she ever realized. Going to Banchory made Leonora realize that she didn’t have to be good, she just had to act like it. She graduated top of her class and was even valedictorian, with teachers praising her for her growth and for becoming a model of dedication and discipline for her colleagues. The only true consequence, though, is that now she can hide her intentions a hell of a lot better. 

Leo grew into a charming, but restrained woman. To the untrained eye, it might seem like she doesn’t even feel at all. Every last movement is calculated, never too much, never to give away what she’s truly thinking, which is also how she has a near-perfect mastering of occlumency. She has a reputation for being uptight, and she actually enjoys it. No one gets to see below the surface unless she herself decides that they can.

SOME EXTRA FACTS:

Leo’s current classes are Magical Theory: Bewitching, Defensive Magic: Dark Creatures & Magical Beings, and Ancient Runes II.

She currently works as an Archivist on the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic. If asked, she’ll say her job is classified.

Leo’s mother, Teresa Montenegro, is the Herbology teacher at Cambridge Academy to this day. Leo learned a lot of Herbology by proxy, but she never liked the subject.

She’s on the the Dueling and Chess clubs, and is also currently the VP of the Junior Witches League and a Death Eater.

[leonxra]

WHEN: April 12th, 1981

WHERE: Wimbourne House

WHO: open (0/2)

All things considered, the situation in Wimbourne House could have been worse. It was damaged, but not destroyed, and the foundation was mostly intact; a lot of places all over the UK had had it significantly worse with the unstable weather.

And yet, it was still a pain to get things properly fixed. Leo Montenegro was nothing if not a perfeccionist, especially so when it came to proving her worth to the Witches' League. To say that she was overworked and even more ill-humoured than usual would be an euphemism, but that hardly mattered to her. Others were just going to have to deal with it.

"What– That's not the right color." She pinched the bridge of her nose, only barely keeping herself from another explosion. A sigh as she took out her own wand to correct the mistake. "Can't leave any of you out of my sight for a second, can I?"

[evesgospel]

leonxra​:

Her grin grew impossibly large, looking more snake-like than human at this point. The fear in the other’s eyes was just delicious. “I see you for exactly what you are.” Leo stepped closer to the other, speaking barely above a whisper. “You want to play saviour and have power over others, but you don’t. You wish you did. But the truth, is you are more insignificant than these ashes.” Her gaze dropped to what was left of the flyer in the ground before looking straight into the muggle’s eyes again. “And as for burning… try me. We’ll see who burns first.”

.

“You’re nothing but a freak.” Eve spat the word with all of the fury of a martyr. As if even speaking up right now qualified her for stories to be shared centuries later. That was the problem with believing in one’s own importance: it led to nothing more than fictional daydreams and whims. Eve could never accept living a normal, average life. It would have crushed her. Denial was far more charming. Especially for her needs. “A crime against nature. You shouldn’t even exist at all, and that’s why, in the end, you’ll lose. The Almighty watches over us. Me. I’m not afraid of murderous sinners.”

[leonxra]

Leo kept looking at the other with the same grin. "For a powerless little creature, you sure have one hell of a superiority complex. It's adorable, really." She then reached into her purse, and made a show of pulling out her walnut wand. "Oh, don't shake like that, it's so very unbecoming of the world's saviour." For a moment or two she just stared the other down, twirling the wood between her fingers. "You're not remotely worth my energy."

A loud noise filled the air as Leo apparated out, landing right on Knockturn Alley a few moments later. Too flashy for her taste, admitedly, but she was sure the arrogant little muggle would remember it for a while.

[evesgospel]

leonxra​:

Leo smiled – no, grinned – and finally took the time to look at the flyer. “Anti-Magic Coalition. How very thoughtful of you.” A touch to the paper, a little bit of concentration, and it was suddenly on fire. A simple trick, but she found that wandless, nonverbal magic, even when limited, tended to scare muggles a lot more. Leonora’s gaze turned coy as she eyed the girl once more, as if she hadn’t just set literal fire to her propaganda. “But you see, I’m afraid your brave efforts might be lost on me.”

.

“You’re a witch,” Eve stated, breathless. The words not as loud as she wanted them to be, so she spoke again. “You’re a witch!” This time they were shouted, drawing attention from people nearby who were more intent on keeping their head down and minding their own business than investigating. Eve knew the truth. They would go to hell for their inaction. “You’re right, there’s no saving you. You’ve already danced with the devil. I hope you burn just like that paper.”

[leonxra]

Her grin grew impossibly large, looking more snake-like than human at this point. The fear in the other's eyes was just delicious. "I see you for exactly what you are." Leo stepped closer to the other, speaking barely above a whisper. "You want to play saviour and have power over others, but you don't. You wish you did. But the truth, is you are more insignificant than these ashes." Her gaze dropped to what was left of the flyer in the ground before looking straight into the muggle's eyes again. "And as for burning... try me. We'll see who burns first."

[leonxra]

evesgospel​:

“If you’re ignoring me, that means you’re ignoring God himself,” Eve replied self-righteously. She so easily equated herself to God that it was no wonder she wasn’t floating up into the sky, or being christened with Sainthood. Instead, she was continuing to push her belief on others, all under the guise of helping the community by attempting to sign people up for missions work. “I’m just trying to save your soul.”

Eve was under the impression that while all souls should try to be saved, she’d be happy being the only person allowed through the pearly gates.

.

Leo smiled – no, grinned – and finally took the time to look at the flyer. "Anti-Magic Coalition. How very thoughtful of you." A touch to the paper, a little bit of concentration, and it was suddenly on fire. A simple trick, but she found that wandless, nonverbal magic, even when limited, tended to scare muggles a lot more. Leonora's gaze turned coy as she eyed the girl once more, as if she hadn't just set literal fire to her propaganda. "But you see, I'm afraid your brave efforts might be lost on me."

[leonxra]

WHEN: April 1st, 1981

WHERE: A street of London, UK

WHO: Leonora & @evesgospel

It should have, by all means, been an ordinary day. Leonora had left the Ministry at the usual time, and was now making her routinely walk toward Knockturn Alley. If anything seemed to be out of the ordinary, it was the quiet streets – the usual hustle and bustle of London now reduced to hushed whispers as wixen and muggles alike hid inside their homes, still shaken by the recent weather events.

But because there were no longer any ordinary days left, she was only halfway through her walk when a flyer was aggressively pushed in front of her. Leo had been aware of a sharp, almost silvery voice in the background, but she had chosen to tune it out until the flyer forced her to acknowledge the muggle's presence. She raised her eyes, fighting the annoyed expression that wanted to settle in her face. "Honey, when someone ignores you, that usually means they don't care for your flyer."

[leonxra]

WHEN: March 31st, 1981

WHERE: Church of the Holy Sorcerer, Cardiff, UK

WHO: Leonora & @theprophetgoyle

Leonora waited exactly one day after the Cardiff storms calmed down before stepping foot in the city, only one goal in mind. Ever since the first whispers about the so-called "Prophet", she had wanted to see it by herself, but it wasn't until the recent climate events that Che-Wei had bothered the Death Eater higher-ups enough to warrant him a visit.

She had been ushered into what looked like a small office by a young girl in ragged robes, and smiled patiently to her as she explained that it might be a minute until the Great Prophet was done with his holy duties. After the girl left, Leo's smile turned into a smirk as she examined her surroundings. Admitedly, she was impressed. It took a certain mindset to see the opportunity that Che-Wei had envisioned, and even more so to actually execute such an idea.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the door behind her creaking open, and she turned around, her smirk even larger than before. "Oh, Great Prophet," Leo greeted Che-Wei with a saccharine voice, "I am in dire need of your wise guidance."

[leonxra]

2

Leo shrugs, looking unaffected. "Coming to London, I guess. It's weird that I even remember, seen as I was three. But I do remember it just looked... very alien to me. London is a very different place from where I used to live near Castelobruxo. There were no plants and creatures everywhere like I was used to. I don't think I was scared per se... but a little confused, for sure."

[leonxra]

10

Leo mulls over the question for a moment. "I guess there's a fairly obvious answer to that." She then hesitates, but goes on. "But I don't know that I would change anything, not even being sent to Banchory. Every step of my life made me what I am today."

[leonxra]

seventeen

Leo narrows her eyes at the question. "I don't cry at movies. I'm not five."

[sleepingdragon-rp]

ask meme ♡

hello hi here’s a short little ask meme to spice up your inbox. feel free to answer them as your character or as their writer, from whatever perspective you wish. if you want to add links to your inboxes at the bottom instead of reblogging to each account feel free ♡

1. describe a time in your life when you were afraid   2. what is one memory from childhood you’ll carry with you forever   3. have you considered starting a family  4. do you believe in the concept of soulmates  5. what’s one of the positives that have come out of the statute breaking  6. money is no object, what do you do with your life  7. what’s one thing you wish others understood about you  8. you’re stuck on a deserted island, list the three things you’d take with you  9. what do you think happens after you die  10. what event in your life do you wish you could change  11. dream blunt rotation  12. if you could kiss one person without consequence, who are you kissing  13. you get famous and wixmart wants to make a drawstring doll in your likeness;  what are the three catchphrases your toy parrots  14. describe the hypothetical best day of your life   15. what is the weakness that would make you fold in an interrogation   16. name the one meal you are an absolute pro at making, bonus points for sharing the recipe  17. what trope always makes you cry in a movie  18. if you could respawn in a different era which would you choose to grow up in  19. how do you do your laundry (how long do you put it off, how long does it sit, do you use fabric softener, take it to the dry cleaners…)  20. if you have a lucky item, what is it

[leonxra]

asheravery​:

What was he up to? The question was more loaded than perhaps even Leo realized, which was why he was even more careful now in answering. In this case, he realized one of his secrets had better stay locked away. The other he could part with. But only because this was Leo. No matter what else they were, he knew she wouldn’t stab him in the back when his mother was involved.

“My mum escaped from Azkaban. I still don’t quite know how she managed to make it back to London. But I found her a few months ago. Her mind is all fucked up, and she can barely function on her own. I just—I can’t have anyone knowing about her, Leo. You know why.” Because it’d be one more person underneath Voldemort’s thumb. One less way that they could control him.

.

Adelaide Avery. Leonora was more familiar with the name than she was with the actual person. All that she really knew was that Asher's mother had been in Azkaban for a while, and that it was a sore subject for him. It never felt right to ask anything further than that.

Leo had long ago reconciled with the fact that she wasn't a good friend. She wasn't the one to offer a warm hug, nor give Asher sweet words of hope. It didn't mean she didn't care, though, and she wasn't about to turn her back on him when he clearly needed the help. "Okay." She nodded. An I’m sorry almost slipped out, but it felt entirely pointless, so she held back. "I'm in. Just know I might use you as an alibi too."

[leonxra]

asheravery​:

“There’s no easy way around this, so I’ll just—I need you to date me.” He let the words sit out in the open air before quickly qualifying them to the best of his ability. “Not actually date me, just, pretend. I need an alibi. An easy excuse for when people have been asking me what I’m doing or where I’ve been.”

.

Whatever Leo had been expecting of this conversation, it surely wasn't that. And yet, she had to at least mentally admit that it was a really good idea. "How come I never thought of that?" She mused out loud, a tinge of frustration to her tone, but it was gone just as quick. There was no use to dwelling in self pity; this could be helpful, it really could.

Still there was a part of her, the smallest bit, that had to ask. She had to at least try to be a decent friend. "At the risk of being counterintuitive, since you're trying to use me as an alibi... what are you up to, Asher?" Leo asked, trying to see through him as they had mutually done so many times before. Maybe he'd just give her the obvious answer, that their activities were on the rise. Maybe it would even be true. But in any case, she had to ask.

[leonxra]

vanceofmyheart​:

Emmeline was minding her own business walking the corridor when she felt someone shove her into the Astronomy classroom. She grabbed her wand, ready to attack whoever it was, when it turned out to be Leo. Still she kept her wand in her hand until she explained why she had shoved Emmeline. She put her wand in her pocket before turning back to speak to Leo, “It’s fine. Just a little warning next time. I was just about to hex you.” She heard what Leo said next, “She is?” Emmeline thought Hogwarts would be the last place her mother would step foot into but clearly not. “I wonder what she’s doing here then. Do you know?”

.

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry, I was in a hurry." Leo looked down to the floor, admitedly a little ashamed of herself. She'd usually be able to keep her cool in such a situation, but the sheer ammount of panic she felt over the possibility of Ms. Vance finding Emmeline had taken the best of her.

Not because of Emmeline herself, of course. But the idea of the Vances finding out that Leo had known for over a month where their daughter was and never said anything... she couldn't take such a risk. If they were to ever find out, it had to be through her.

She shrugged sincerely at the question. "I honestly don't know. She was right outside the Headmaster's office." The smart move, in retrospect, would have been to chat her up and find out what could her business there possibly be, but alas, Leo really wasn't on the top of her game these days. "Do you think she knows?"

[leonxra]

asheravery​:

“I actually, well, I have a bit of a favor to ask of you.” Cutting straight to the chase wasn’t Asher’s usual way, but with Leo it didn’t make any sense to try and prolong the inevitable of what he wanted to accomplish. She was too smart and keen to see through any charade he might be placing up. Which meant whatever this was had to be stated as clearly and succinctly as he could manage it. “I know, I know that things are dangerous, that there’s a bigger power that we answer to. But I need you.”

.

A wave of relief washed over her, so strong it almost felt wrong. Perhaps a better friend would have shown concern for Asher, would have wanted to know more and how to help; but Leo was more than happy to skip the pleasantries and jump straight to the point.

It wasn't that she didn't care either, but simply that they could only beat around the bush for so long before her own mask started to crack too. A breakdown wouldn't help either of them, right? "Well, you sure have me intrigued now. What is it?"

[leonxra]

asheravery​:

Asher cut through the gardens with a purpose, a thumping in his heart. How strange, to know someone, and still not be aware of how they might respond to the things in which Asher intended to share tonight. He wished he could’ve been given the gift of omniscience. That somehow he would have the power to understand the future before it even occurred. Maybe then his movements wouldn’t be so stilted. Maybe then he could look up at Leo now, and not slightly grimace at the paths that the night might take.

“The Malfoy’s really like to outdo themselves with places like this.” A legacy the Avery’s would never leave. Asher wasn’t really upset about that. 

.

Leo turned around when she heard the familiar voice, almost feeling relieved for a second. For as anxious as she was about the interaction that was about to take place, it truly had been too long. "As they do with everything, really." With a small smile, she patted the spot on the bench beside her. "I was surprised when you reached out. But I'm glad you did." That was only half a lie, anyway.

[leonxra]

WHEN: February 10th, 1981

WHERE: Astronomy Classroom, Hogwarts

WHO: @vanceofmyheart​

It only occurred to Leo that shoving Emmeline into an empty classroom without further explanation might have been a bit rude of her after they were already inside. “Sorry about that.” She shook her head, a hint of a chuckle in her lips before her expression became more serious. “I just, um. Your mother’s here, at Hogwarts. That’s why I brought you in here.”