Ok so it’s the first family dinner since you moved in with their family officially and Calum wanted to make the dinner all special so he had the kids clear their homework off the kitchen table and had Declan set it for a classic family dinner instead of sitting on the couch with the tv and it gets to the end and everyone has finished (almost) everything on their plates and Biscuit squeezes past Calum under the table and starts licking Addy’s hand, his tail wagging on the other side (hitting Cal)
You weren’t expecting much in the face of dinner on the first night you were officially moved into the Hood home. You figured it’d be like any other night; or even a little more relaxed as everyone was seemingly running on fumes. But to your surprise the table was set for dinner and not crowded with homework and discarded sports equipment. Declan was just bringing the last of the silverware out and Calum followed behind with home cooked food and not takeout that would be eaten on the couch. You were surprised as much as you were appreciative. Addie came bolting around the corner; always hyperactive and on the move. The dogs trailed after her, Biscuit keeping pace and Duke begrudgingly behind but following nonetheless.
“What’s all this for?” You asked as you approached the table and took in all the effort. Declan had even set out placemats and napkins; homemade placemats from his and Addie’s days in preschool—the only placemats in the house—and napkins at every seat. It brought a smile to your face.
“To celebrate,” Calum said as if it was obvious. “It’s your first night officially here. Wanted to show you we could do more than dinner by the tv.”
You gave them all your thanks and praise and sat down to what started as a lovely meal. Until the plates were nearly cleared and Addie’s eyes filled with mischief and hands disappeared under the table. Biscuit was quick to zoom over to her, knocking against knees and clumsily taking down anything in his way. You could hear his tail thumping as it hit against something repeatedly and were clued into the fact that it was Calum’s leg when he winced with every thump.
“Addie what did I say about giving the dogs scraps while we’re still eating?” Calum reprimanded but posed as a question for Addie to have to answer.
“Not to,” she said, brown eyes wide. “I’m not!” She defended.
Calum tilted his head to the side and arched an eyebrow in question; not wanting her to lie.
“He’s just licking my hands,” she explained in a high pitched squeal.
“Because?”
“Because I don’t want to waste a napkin. We have to save the earth, dad!”
You suppressed your own laughter and knew Calum was trying to collect himself. Addie was fiery, always full of comebacks; some making more sense than others, but always being hilarious.
“She’s right. We have to do our part,” Declan pitched in; knowing his add on would break Calum, especially when he ducked his own hands under the table for old Duke who had since padded his way over.
And it did. As soon as Calum was laughing—through a groan of disapproval and a bit of appreciation at the kids wit—you let yourself laugh too. Fancy family dinners were nice but this was much more of a Hood affair. Dogs licking hands and getting scraps, silly words and laughter feeling much more like home than a set table.
For Hogwarts!SOS Prefect Hufflepuff!Reader gets paired up with Slytherin!Michael for a project (the troublemaker prompt thing) in Care of Magical Creatures, where they have to take care of a creature a la the muggle baby doll project but with a puffskein or some other single x rated creature according to Scamander's rating system
Includes: strong language, references to discrinitaion and judgement based on schoolhouse
A/N: Thank you for this really cute request, Lauren! I hope you enjoy it <3
***
As soon as your care of magical creatures professor places down the large basket of small furry creatures on the ground of the little paddock, you realise that today marks the start of the project you’ve been looking forward to all term.
“Throughout your time in this class since your third year, you’ve all demonstrated that you can take care of various magical creatures under my supervision.” The teacher explains, her friendly face lighting up in a fond smile as she surveys her students. “Now it’s time to find out how well you cope without my help…”
The rest of the professor’s sentence is lost as a mischievous giggle draws your attention to your least favourite classmates.
“I bet I could throw one of those little fluff things right through that open window.” Luke Hemmings chuckles, pointing at one of the nearest greenhouses. The morning sunshine bounces off of his caramel coloured curls as he flashes his notoriously cheeky grin.
“Fuck off…” Michael Clifford scoffs, nudging his friend’s shoulder as he shakes his head in disbelief. “They’re puffskeins, you troll, and you definitely couldn’t do that!” His dyed blonde hair falls onto his face, obscuring his pretty green eyes for a moment.
Luke scowls, his bright blue eyes flashing with something like determination. “I’m the best chaser that the Slytherin quidditch team has ever had, I could definitely do it!”
Michael rolls his eyes, seemingly unconvinced by his friend’s argument. “Calum’s a better chaser than you.” He replies simply. It’s hard to tell whether he’s being serious or just trying to tease Luke. His handsome face remains almost expressionless save for a tiny mischievous glint in his emerald green eyes.
Regardless of whether the slightly older boy is joking around or not, Luke genuinely takes offence to the comment. His pale cheeks turn crimson as he launches into a rant about why he’s a better chaser than their friend Calum Hood.
Your interest in their conversation couldn’t be much less, but their continued bickering distracts you from the professor’s explanation of the new project. “Excuse me!” You hiss, turning to face them fully. “Can you two keep it down please?” You ask, your tone clipped, fully conveying how annoyed you are by them.
Whilst Luke looks a little embarrassed at being called out by a prefect, Michael actually looks more pissed off than anything else. “I’m sorry…” He scowls, “I don’t remember asking for your input.”
Matching his tone you straighten your posture, ready to put the little idiot back in his place. “I’m not giving you my input, I’ll be taking five house points from Slytherin if you don’t shut up, though.”
Michael’s gaze flickers down to your gleaming Hufflepuff prefect’s badge, perched proudly on your pristine robes, before meeting your eye again. “Why do you think I’d even care? It’s not like slytherin ever win anything anyway…”
“That’s not true, Mikey!” Luke interjects, “We win more than Hufflepuff.” The tone he says your house name in makes you bristle, you hate anyone speaking ill of your house. That little spark of anger quickly develops into a raging flame when Michael laughs at his friend’s quip.
“Slytherin really are just a bunch of snooty purebloods that think they’re better than everyone else.” You sneer. “Well I’ve got news for you two, you’re definitely not…”
Michael’s face twists into a disgruntled expression but before he can reply to you, the teacher yells out your name. Your attention snaps to her as your cheeks begin to burn with embarrassment. “I’m sorry miss…” You mumble as the professor regards you with a mixture of surprise and disappointment.
“I expected better from a prefect.” She replies, “You’re supposed to set an example, not throw around judgements and accusations based on the house that someone has been placed in.”
You feel thoroughly humiliated, wishing that the ground would swallow you whole as you apologise once more.
“Since you clearly need a reminder as to why Slytherin is a valid and important cornerstone of the school, I’m pairing you with Mr Clifford for this project.” The teacher explains, before turning her attention back to the rest of the class. “In a moment I’ll ask you all to come and collect a puffskein…”
Your attention dwindles as the reality of your punishment hits you. This project was meant to be the jewel in your care of magical creatures crown. You’d researched puffskeins so that you were entirely prepared for it and you’d really hoped to get paired up with someone who was equally as academically gifted as yourself. Instead, you find yourself lumbered with one of the laziest and most troublesome students you’ve ever had the misfortune of being in a class with.
“Way to go…” Michael whispers indignantly, “Now we’re stuck working together for an entire week!”
“No one’s more upset about that than me.” You huff, scooping up your satchel as you follow the rest of the class to line up next to the basket of puffskeins.
The expression on Michael’s face silently expresses his doubt in your statement. The fact that he, a no-good layabout is displeased at being paired with you, makes you angrier than you care to admit. “Well at least you have a chance at getting a decent grade for this project.”
Michaels vague displeasure in the situation as a whole, suddenly starts to solidify into annoyance directed purely at you. “Shows how much you know, ‘prefect’…” He snarls.
You’re not entirely sure what his statement means but you have no time to press him for an explanation. He turns his back on you to take the tiny creature that the professor hands to him. To your surprise, Michael is uncharacteristically gentle with the puffskein, cradling it almost fondly in his cupped hands as he carries it over to the edge of the paddock.
Following him, you find that you’re suddenly a little less irritated by the Slytherin boy. Perhaps that’s just the power of cute little magical animals.
“Now…” The professor begins once the last puffskein has been handed to an eager student. “In your pairs, I want you to care for your animal until this time next week. You’ll be graded on how well you feed, groom, train and generally care for your puffskein.” The teacher stares directly at you and Michael as she continues her explanation of the project. “A large portion of your grade will also be determined by how well you work as a team. I expect you to organise a stable routine so that you don’t unsettle your creature. As this is a practical assessment, you will not be provided with any equipment that you may need for this project. You’re each expected to source and maintain whatever items you feel you may require. As always I commend practicality as well as imagination, so keep that in mind if you want to earn a top grade.”
As much as you’d like to take in every last detail of the project to ensure a good grade, you can’t help but be a little distracted by Michael. He looks so soft, bathed in the speckled morning sunshine filtering through the leaves of the plush trees lining the paddock. His expression is almost loving as he smiles down at the little fluffball in his hands. The puffskein seems just as fond as Michael as it hums contentedly.
“By the end of this lesson I want you to have all named your temporary pet, this in itself, is an important task as a name says a lot about a creature…” The professor rambles on, bringing your attention away from Michael. “I also want to see a brief outline of your care plan for your puffskein before you leave, does anyone have any questions?”
When no one raises their hand, the professor gives a final nod, “Very well, I’ll speak to each of you as I make my way around the class.”
Michael carefully lowers the puffskein to the ground before sitting cross legged on the grass. The tiny yellow creature bounces into his lap before you’ve even settled down next to him.
“I think he likes you…” You mutter, hoping to break the tension between you and the Slytherin. If you’re going to have to work together you need to be at least civil with each other.
The blonde boy meets your gaze, his green eyes still soft. “Yeah, I think he’s a better judge of character than you.”
A few minutes ago a sentence like that would have annoyed the hell out of you. Michael’s tone wasn’t as confrontational anymore, though, and he seemed content as he returned his attention to the tiny furball in his lap. “We’ll see about that.” You giggle, surprising yourself at the lack of malice in your own voice. “Do you have any ideas on what you’d like to name him?”
Michael looks kind of surprised as you reach over to tickle the top of the puffskein’s head gently. “You’d let me name him?” He asks.
“Well I think we should decide together, but I’d like to hear your suggestions first.” You confirm, “Especially since he seems to have already chosen you as his favourite.”
A tiny laugh escapes Michael when he scoops up the tiny creature and holds him out to you, “Maybe he’ll warm to you if you apologise for being mean to his daddy.”
As much as you’d like to argue that you were never mean, you succumb to the somewhat charming glint in Michael’s eye. “Fine…” You concede, gently taking the puffskein into your own hands. “I’m sorry for saying those horrible things about you and Slytherin. I was just angry, but that’s no excuse.”
The puffskein hums as it settles into your hold, seemingly as content with you as he was with Michael.
“There’s a series of muggle computer game called Final Fantasy.” The Slytherin explains, shuffling a little closer to you so that he could stroke the puffskein with his fingertips. “The main Character in one of them is called Cloud. He’s one of my favourites and the colour of this lil guy reminds me of his hair.”
Despite being unfamiliar with most of the muggle world yourself, you’re shocked that Michael has any knowledge of it all. Slytherins are still notorious for being from the strictest pureblood families.
“We’re not all distant relations of the Malfoys and stuff y’know.” Michael mumbles, evidently detecting a little of your surprise. “Slytherin is a lot more accepting of halfbloods and muggleborns than it used to be.”
Silently berating yourself for your blatant judgement, you tentatively place your hand on Michael’s upper arm. “I’m sorry, I just…”
“I know.” Michael smiles, albeit a little reluctantly as he stares down at your fingers that are still curled around his bicep. “Slytherins have a bad reputation, but we’re working on changing it.”
You fail to stiffel the giggle that bursts from you. “Really? You and Hemmings, the most mischievous boys in our class are trying to help Slytherin get a better reputation?”
There’s a note of amusement in Michael’s tone when he replies. “You don’t have to be a complete nerd to be a good person, prefect. Just because we don’t always pay attention in class, it doesn’t mean that we’re anything like the dickheads that gave our house a bad name in the past.”
Your guilt at possessing such critical thoughts based on someone’s house alone begins to twist your insides and you drop your gaze to the little puffskein that had now bounced back into Michael’s lap. “I’m sorry I judged you.” You mutter quietly. “I can tell you’re not a bad person.”
A moment of slightly strained silence stretches between the two of you, during which your puffskein continues to hum lowly.
“That’s nice of you to say.” Michael replies finally. “Not many people care enough to apologise or admit when they’re wrong about us.”
You shrug, smiling as widely as the discomfort in your stomach will allow. “Well I’m not like most people, Clifford.”
“I’ve noticed.” Michael responds, his cheeks turning a pretty colour as he meets your gaze.
After another moment of silence you decide to break the tension by refocusing on the task at hand. “I like the name Cloud, I think it suits our little guy.”
Michael smiles brightly, your approval apparently meaning a lot to him. During the extended eye contact the two of you share, you can’t help but wonder whether the fondness in Michael’s eyes is purely for the tiny creature you’re discussing, or if it’s possibly partly there for you as well.
Dude I wanna do a little build a bear date where you like, have the other person wait in the food court or another shop for about ten minutes while you make their bear and then you get the little box house and then tag them in and go home once you’re done at the mall and swap stuffed animals and they each have little voice messages for each other and just 🥺🥺
hello but doing this with calum?
he’d find it amusing at first, especially with being forced to wait in the food court, but the look on your face when you were done would just make him so soft. so when it’s his turn, and he records the message, he’s grinning as he utters the words ‘i love you my sunflower.’ and by the end of it he’s super excited because he can’t wait to see your face. and so when you swap stuffed animals, he can’t help but think that he wants to really make this work with you, especially when you announce that you’re gonna spray the bear in his cologne so when he’s on tour, you might not miss him as much.
This is a shout out post for our lovely fic writers who have been keeping us all fed today!
@maluminspace, @ghost0fy0u, @calpops, @calumsmermaid, @irwinkitten, @sexgodashton, @h0tsos, @5sosnsfw, @dammitbands, @cxddlyash, @cakesunflower, @galcalirwin, @sublimehood, @cal-puddies, to name some lovely people off the top of my head!
You are all wonderful, and your snippets that you have given us have been amazing and I’m excited for whatever you decide to post next!
Also, if there is anyone I have missed - I am so, so sorry! There’s A LOT of fic on my dash rn and I’ve lost track of it all, but you are just as incredible and wonderful and I love you.
Been watching forensic files all evening and just had a think about Calum coming into the room and being like “how are you curled up just calmly watching stuff about murder?”
me when i watch criminal minds and chicago p.d. like deadass. my mom will be in the kitchen and i’ll skip by to go to the living room and cheer “time to watch people get killed!” dkfjndjksn PSYCHO ENERGY
I haven’t seen ships in forever oh my god! My selfies are in tagged/my-face 🥰
ship: | calum | michael | ashton | luke |
You and Calum decided to honeymoon in Fiji. You loved the beach, and Fiji was the perfect romantic getaway that you both needed.
You arrived on the island late, so after getting some well-needed rest that night, you were ready for the day, already in your bathing suit with a towel hung over your shoulders.
“You’re not even gonna wait for me?” Calum teased, his voice deep from just waking up.
“You’re so slow. Hurry up!” You laughed
Calum threw himself out of bed, grabbing his swim trunks to change into. He grabbed his towel as well, opening the sliding door of the beach house you were staying in there. The beach was right behind it, just past a few palm trees and a small garden.
“I’ll race ya,” Calum grinned, taking off towards the beach before you had a chance to answer.
best friend: | calum | michael | ashton | luke |
CALM lyric: “i’ll close my eyes while you walk away”
Compliment: The color of your eyes is absolutely gorgeous!! Also, I love your URL!
this looks super cool haha thank you @sunshinecal for tagging me! xx
[ c ] changing of the seasons by two door cinema club
[ a ] a change of heart by the 1975
[ l ] love you like that by dagny
[ u ] used to you by dagny
[ m ] me without you (all i ever wanted) by all time low
[ m ] magic by the cars
[ i ] i wanna go by yuna
[ x ] XO by john mayer
i tag @horansqueen @calumscalm @itsrainingharry @lilacsos @undertheniall @harryfeatgaga @clemmings @calumsmermaid (perfectly fine if you’ve done it already!)
