Hi everyone! I've started an HPMA series featuring my OC, Haley. The first shory story focuses on her future friendship with Daniel and how they'll both deal with Elliott and NOTME.
Title: Haley Morgan and the Nocturnal Order of Tricks and Magical Exhibitions, Part 1/2, "Never"
Summary: Old friends accidentally become partners in crime while trying to stop an immortal cult leader.
The apothecary occupied a narrow stretch of London street while simultaneously appearing not to exist at all. To Muggle eyes, the premises looked abandoned, little more than an empty commercial space waiting for a tenant. A weathered placard hung in the dusty front window advertising the property for hire, complete with a telephone number that no one could ever seem to remember for more than a few seconds. Prospective renters invariably found themselves wandering away in confusion, convinced they had forgotten a digit or two, never realizing the entire sign was protected by a carefully layered Forgetfulness Charm.
Haley stepped through the hidden entrance and was immediately greeted by the familiar smell of dried herbs, potion ingredients, and old parchment. The scent was strangely comforting. It reminded her of Hogwarts, or of late nights spent helping Daniel organize stock after closing hours, of afternoons buried beneath towering shelves while he explained increasingly complicated potion theories she had ever only half understood.
The bell above the door chimed softly.
Daniel was seated behind the counter, bent over a large ledger with a quill poised in one hand. He appeared so absorbed in his work that he didn't notice her immediately, and the few seconds she spent observing him were enough to make concern settle uneasily in her chest.
He looked exhausted.
His auburn hair had grown past his shoulders and was tied back into a small ponytail that seemed to be losing a battle against several stubborn strands escaping around his temples and ears. A shadow of stubble darkened his jaw, suggesting he either hadn't found the time or hadn't cared enough to get rid of it. His clothes were neat by necessity rather than intention, and there was a tension about him that reminded Haley of a bowstring drawn too tight.
She wisely decided not to comment on it.
Merlin knew she had little room to criticize anyone's appearance. Weeks spent travelling had left their mark on her as well. Her clothes consisted almost entirely of dragon-hide leather and protective enchantments accumulated over years of working with dangerous creatures. There was still sand tangled in her hair from a recent expedition, and a faint scorch mark along one sleeve brought back the vivid memory of a dragon whose temper had nearly resulted in her becoming a cautionary tale.
A small smile tugged at her lips despite herself at the thought.
Daniel finally glanced up, and the moment he recognized her, some of the strain in his expression eased.
"Haley."
"Hi, Daniel."
The simple exchange carried years of familiarity. No matter how much time passed between meetings, there was always a certain comfort in seeing him.
She crossed the room and leaned casually against the counter. "Your owl sounded urgent."
At once, the brief warmth disappeared from his face.
"I couldn't risk putting everything in writing." That immediately captured her attention.
Daniel closed the ledger and set aside his quill. "I think Evers may be intercepting my correspondence."
She frowned. "What makes you think that?"
"I've felt him trying to probe my mind."
Legilimency.
The fact that Elliott had somehow taught himself the art remained one of the more concerning mysteries of her life. She had long ago stopped asking how he acquired certain pieces of knowledge, even ones only privy to the Ministry itself, because the answers tended to raise more questions than they resolved.
Fortunately, Daniel's naturally secretive nature made him exceptionally difficult to read. He possessed an instinctive talent for Occlumency that had likely saved his life more than once. Even so, hearing that Evers had begun probing him directly was alarming.
"He doesn't know," Daniel continued, lowering his voice despite the protections surrounding the shop. "But he's suspicious. More suspicious than before."
She folded her arms. "Suspicious of you?"
"Suspicious of everyone."
The distinction was hardly reassuring. For a few moments, neither spoke, then Daniel took a slow breath.
I wish they would show some scenes for mc's parents. They went through so much shit and not a single letter from them? If Daniel's sister was able to come to Hogwarts in year 3 why can mc's? I just want a sweet moment for my baby 😭
One of my duel gameplays. I noticed while sending monster book of monster and stacks of it now they show these direction lines, pretty cool but mostly unnecessary I think. What do you all think?
