Walk me through your beautiful mind and tell me how you chose your love stories for your character.
Thanks for the ask! Warning: Long post ahead.
Okay so first, I played it safe with HPHM, putting them with canon characters.
David and Merula, I honestly loved the foil that MC and Merula are for each other in the main story of HPHM. However, it could have done with a lot more fleshing out, which is really what I wanted to do in creating their relationship.
Whether they're enemies or just rivals to lovers is up for debate but regardless I liked their at first very contentious relationship gradually developing into an admission of respect. It culminated in the two catching feelings for each other, Merula defending him and eventually the two dating. The rest as they say, is history.
Amelia and Chiara, now I tend to flip flop on this as I really do like the thought of Amelia travelling the world, taking down creature poaching operations and breaking hearts. On the other, I do like Amelia and Chiara meeting up again later in life and kindling an unspoken love for each other.
Phoenix and Erika, these two are the loosest as I haven't had much time to develop them. But, I like the thought of them being rivals to lovers, Phoenix being one of the few able to truly get under Erika's skin.
For everyone else, it's a little different, with a lack of knowledge or interest in the canon of HPHL and HPMA, I started going with OC x OC ships instead. I’m a great fan of the idea that shipping can be used to really help grow and develop both halves of the ship. So I cast my line into the great sea of OCs and see who bit first. Thus, I wound up with Leila, Gareth, Lydia (@rogueharrington), Asher (@cursebreakerfarrier) and Hazel (@kc-and-co). Also, Valentina (@camillejeaneshphm)
I love Reubeila being able to find a loving family in each other after experiencing a horrible home life. I love Clareth’s will they/won’t they yet there’s still a fierce sort of loyalty between them. I love Marilyd’s friendly rivalry that developed into friendship and then one of the most amazing romances. I love Asher and Robin’s angsty side that let Robin show a bit of softness in contrast to the loud, brash, goofy girl that she usually is. I love Nick and Hazel, I feel like it would make Nick more confident, and I adore the support they would have for the other’s ambitions. Luis, my Marauder’s era boy and his tragic romance with Valentina is also one of my favourites for the fact that they knew they loved each other but never quite got there.
But overall, what I really look for in a ship? Satisfaction, plain and simple. Whether they become life partners, strike out on their own or if the romance ends with a hint of tragedy, as long as it was a satisfying journey and conclusion, I’m okay with how any ship turns out.
Favorite Ships That Are Not Mine
Back for another round of HPHLAW brought to you by the fabulous@endlessly-cursed
I'm sure nobody saw these 3 coming...
Ethlys - These two, for better or worse, are at each other's throats by every definition. These beautiful bundles of chaos are perfect for each other whether they want to be (today) or not. The only thing more beautiful and chaotic than Ethlys are their amazing creators who own my heart even more than their ship does.@the-al-chemist
@slytherindisaster
Tedelia - I could have made a whole post about the KING and QUEEN of all HPHL ships. Adelia would be out of almost anyone's league. Smart, beautiful, sassy, and polished to perfection... but then would you just look at Teddy's little grin? Who wouldn't want to cuddle up with him and read a rare first edition in the library? Beautiful things happen when head and heart collide and that beautiful thing is the iconic Tedelia. Their creators never fail to brighten my day every day@cursebreakerfarrier
@thatravenpuffwitch
Reubeila - Scary badass beater who needs to be loved? Meet scary badass beater who needs to be loved. Terrifying? Yeah, but these two have found the loving family they always wanted in each other and it melts my heart every time. They are great in the HL era, but Today's Special is among my favorite ongoing stories out there right now. Their opposites attract charm comes straight from the amazing duo who created them@whatwouldvalerydo
@that-scouse-wizard
Harry Potter Hogwarts Legacy Appreciation Week - Day 4: Favorite Ships by Moots
Hey guys! This is the fourth entry for @endlessly-cursed’s fantastic HPHL Appreciation Week. Today the focus is on other people’s ships! Y’all have made some wonderful couples and friend groups/duos! There are so many of them that again it is a challenge to narrow down which ones will be featured for the post. Anyway here goes:
Tedelia - Adelia Selwyn @thatravenpuffwitch and @cursebreakerfarrier
Slytherin and Gryffindor in love and getting along like peas and carrots? It’s hard to believe for the common student but if the passion is there it is going to happen. Dear Addy is far from the stereotype of her house and she is so wonderful and compassionate! Teddy and his dormmates are a group of chaotic Gryffindors but they love their gals all the same. Together he and Addy have built a beautiful family with three great kiddos. Danny is a frequent visitor to the Selwyn-Ellison household and he loves Teddy, Addy and their kids so much!! He considers the kids part of his found family just as much as their parents, they’re like nephews and nieces to him and he tries to find them great gifts for their birthdays and Christmas celebrations. Danny has always been close with Teddy and Adelia - he and Teddy are colleagues as aurors and he stops by to see Adelia frequently while working in France. The role that Tedelia has in Danny’s life is why it is number one on this list!
Roxariel - Gabriel Sapieha @slytherindisaster and Roxie Haley @beloved-bucky
This wholesome ship reaches number two spot by a close margin to Tedelia. I cannot decide which should be number two because its more like that it and Tedelia hold equal places in my book. Still this ship is one of my favorites because the gal in here is Danny’s sister figure and best friend Roxie! Gabriel is also a dear friend to him! He is protective of Danny and cares a lot for his well-being, where to he would put himself in harm’s way to keep him safe. The dynamic for Roxariel is unique - I just love how Gabriel and Roxie are still able to love each other so much even though she is a vampire. In a time where racism and supremacy still dominate the wizarding world, this couple can be an example of how minorities can still achieve successful and fulfilling lives just like regular people. Danny is also very grateful to have Gabriel and Roxie in his life and they’re very dear to him - his life would never be complete in their absence.
Galehan - Siobhan Llewelyn @kc-and-co and Galen Stagg @cursebreakerfarrier
Two sweethearts that have it all. Their story is about living life to the fullest. Bonding over a love of magizoology and outdoorsy-ness, Bon-bon and Galen live a very unique and epic lifestyle with many connections around the world. They look over many creature reserves in several countries - one of which is located in the U.S. state of Arizona. Danny vibes with the couple over their appreciation and reverence of the outdoors, reminding him of the better angels of his old home far away. He loves Bon-bon so much and they’ve been best buddies since their Hogwarts days. Galen is such a sweet and soft boy with great compassion and acceptance for minority groups which Danny really appreciates! When working in America he often stays at one of the reserves under the care of Shiv and Galen and is always happy to see them and hear about their latest adventures!
Reubeila - Leila Hellebore @whatwouldvalerydo and Reuben Willows @that-scouse-wizard
While I don’t bring up this ship much it still deserves recognition. Like Roxariel, this ship is another great example of how normally disadvantaged groups in wizarding society are still capable of having romantic feelings, falling in love, getting married and raising a family! Reuben is an awesome quidditch mate of Danny and Leila is a Slytherin lady with demon heritage. Like him they’re both are the type that may seem intimating on the outside but on the inside they’re just amazing friends who do great things for those they know and do their best to give back!
This is my entry for the fourth day of @endlessly-cursed Hogwarts Legacy Appreciation Week.
We all love our own ships dearly, but we also have this one (or these many) ships amongst our mutuals and their OCs we just can't get enough of. So here's my two picks for this day - because really, how could you decide between these two?
Ethelys - Ethel Hexley x Lysander Mercury:
Ethel belongs to my beloved @the-al-chemist, Lysander to the fabulous @slytherindisaster
Ethel and Lys are the epitome of enemies/rivals to lovers, change my mind. Both of them incredibly headstrong and quick-witted, they never missed a chance to bicker, banter and insult each other, fully convinced the other just must be the worst person on the planet.
But, as we grow older, we all learn to change our minds, don't we? 😏
These two and their dynamic have so much chemistry, fun and potential. Learning about them - whether it's through art, shorts, or headcanons - never fails to make me chuckle.
Thank you @the-al-chemist and @slytherindisaster for gracing us with this incredibly fun chaos-ship! 💛
Reubeila - Leila Hellebore x Reuben Willows:
Half-demon gremlin child belongs to my dear @whatwouldvalerydo, Reuben to the sweetheart that is @that-scouse-wizard
Reubeila was the first Legacy ship I started to engage with properly and for that alone they will always hold a special place inside my heart.
Reuben and Leila are both so different from each other (and not only talking about this phenomenal height difference) and so unlikely on the first glance. But if you look closer, these two make so much sense. They empower each other when they need it and are there to catch the other when dealing with their pretty depressive family matters. They make each other better, stronger and softer all at the same time.
A very special shoutout to their modern versions in @whatwouldvalerydo incredible Coffee Shop AU Today's Special. I'm living for this story, I'm living for this ship and I'm incredibly thankful to have it (and you) in my life. 💛
Thank you @whatwouldvalerydo and @that-scouse-wizard for creating a ship that shows us that no matter how different we appear, if two hearts beat the same, they are unstoppable.
And here’s an homage to my original HPHL ship, the magnificent Reubeila! Love how these two managed to both break away from their bad home lives and make a life together.
How about a Reuben lives for longer AU? This man over a century old still looking after dragons and brewing spirits. Also has some very sound advice for his great grandsons. Of course still happily married to Leila (@whatwouldvalerydo), who by that time is his wife of nearly ninety years.
Basically an AU in which Reuben is literally too stubborn to die.
💀 🎭 💝 for Willowsnyde, Boothbosca and Reubeila please!
💀 - What would they dress up as for Halloween?
Willowsnyde
These two are dressed as zombies together, likely as a bride and groom too.
Boothbosca
Anything but werewolves, maybe vampires.
Reubeila
@whatwouldvalerydo
Cowboys... the sheriff and the outlaw.
🎭 - Who is the dramatic one?
Willowsnyde
Merula without a doubt, girl has a flair for the dramatic.
Boothbosca
Amelia, especially when she’s showing off her gymnastics for Chiara.
Reubeila
I’d say Reuben if it comes to talking about dragons, though Leila loves listening to his ramblings.
💝 - What do they love about each other the most?
Willowsnyde
David loves Merula’s eyes and her willingness to see things through. Merula loves the feeling of being wrapped up in David’s arms and the banter they have even long into their married life.
Boothbosca
Chiara loves watching Amelia as she perfectly lands a gymnastics manoeuvre in admiration of the precision and concentration it takes to pull it off. Amelia loves Chiara’s strength and compassion when she honestly has every right to be cynical from her affliction.
Reubeila
The two of them admire the other for how they got out of their poor family situation and later on forging a new one in each other. The fact that they chose each other is what they love.
A/N: Hello everyone, here’s a little one-shot about fatherhood from Reuben’s perspective... also a lot of catharsis. @whatwouldvalerydo hope you like it!
Word count: 1141
Tw for mentions of abuse.
Cold rain lashed harshly from the grey skies above the Llwelyn manor. The general climate of Ireland meant that when it rained, it was an absolute downpour guaranteed to soak the ill-prepared through to the bone.
In spite of the terrible weather, the residents of the manor couldn’t have been happier. It had been just a few weeks since the Willows family had welcomed their newest member, Connor into the fold.
Already, the new born was displaying a great curiosity for the world around him. One that his parents would be intent on nurturing. Today was supposed to be a day where Reuben wouldn't be dealing with any dragons and Leila was still taking time off to raise their son. A day both had been looking forward to.
It had started normally enough, Connor crying out in the early morning, wanting a feed. The two of them getting up together to see to him. In spite of giving him what he needed, he couldn’t seem to settle as if something else was bothering the child. He had slept through a thunderstorm once so it couldn’t possibly have been the rain unsettling him.
Henry bursting into the nursery panic-stricken had only unnerved the two further. He rarely got himself into such a state. What he had told them next had made their blood run as cold as ice.
Not just one but both sets of their parents had turned up on their doorstep.
Leaving Connor in Henry’s care briefly, the two descended to the foyer of the manor. The raised voices of their parents grew louder the closer they got, clearly in the midst of a heated argument. A great feeling of apprehension pressed down on the two, one that grew with every step they took.
Even as they got closer, the heads of their respective families were shouting at each other, completely oblivious to their children descending the stairs.
“This is my family we’re talking about you she-devil!” Declan Willows roared. still intimidating despite the chipped teeth Reuben had given him years before.
“The child is of my blood too human even if it is more diluted.” Lilith Hellebore spoke with thinly-veiled venom.
While Declan and Lilith may not have noticed Reuben and Leila, their other parents certainly did. Sophie and Eric quickly taking hold of their respective partner’s arms and hissing a whisper that commanded their attention. Reuben and Leila stopped halfway down the stairs, now staring down the people who had caused them much pain in their lives.
“Well?” Declan spoke obstinately, “Where is he?”
“Who?” Reuben asked sharply, crossing his arms. The tension in the room only growing thicker.
“What your father is trying to say.” Reuben’s mother Sophie, spoke up in an attempt to diffuse the situation “May we see our grandson, Reuben?”
Reuben’s expression was unusually stoic, levelling a stony glare at all those beneath him. By contrast, Leila’s expression had twisted into a snarl at the audacity, “You dare ask that of him, after everything you’ve done?”
“And why would we ask you? The harlot who tainted our family’s bloodline.” Declan said coldly, a low hiss was all Leila offered to her father in law..
“It seems that I actually agree somewhat, why settle for the rebellious boy of a family stuck in its own idea of self-importance?” Though Lilith’s remark earned her a scowl from both Declan and Sophie, they were swiftly ignored.
“Lei,” Reuben spoke softly, “Let me handle this, please.”
Leila whipped around in surprise, “You’re sure?” She asked tentatively, a nod was all she got, resolve evident in his steely-grey eyes.
“None of you are seeing Connor, and you never will.” He said firmly, realising an argument was about to come from all sides, Reuben quickly nipped it in the bud as he proceeded to yell his next words. First, his attention turned to Leila’s family, “After the way you treated Leila? You were willing to give her over to a full demon to be used as his concubine. You did not truly care for Leila’s feelings on the matter, but the prestige if you found a suitor you deemed correct for her. Why should you have the chance to see Connor? So long as there is breath in my lungs, you’ll never lay a finger on him. Do you hear me?!”
It was perhaps Lilith who looked the most surprised at his outburst at them, how the normally-calm boy had become furious with no warning.
“Reuben, be reasonable!” His mother shouted, the kindly facade she had put on dropped.
“Reasonable?” Reuben scoffed as he loomed over his mother, “Was it reasonable then for you to help tie me down as he,” Reuben growled, pointing an accusing finger at his father, “Shredded my back as I begged and cried for both of you to stop.”
“You disobeyed us.” His father retorted with possibly the worst answer he could have said. It happened in a flash, one moment, Reuben was still. The next, both hands were around his father’s throat, hoisting him into the air. A mighty roar and with all his might, Reuben sent him hurtling across the floor.
Yet Reuben was still not done as he stormed towards Declan’s prone form, “How dare you, I’m-” He began before Reuben planted a boot to his chest and forced him to the floor. Declan finally seemed to truly cower beneath the fury brimming in the steel-coloured eyes that matched his own.
“Your father.” Reuben finished for him mockingly, “There is only one man I consider worthy enough to call my father, the man who gave me this manor, who entrusted me with his life’s work. You are not him. You who had the memories of his own parents obliviated because you were so ashamed of how far the family had fallen from grace. You, who was so convinced of his own greatness he dragged another into his toxicity.” He went on, sparing just the briefest glance at his mother, “You, who couldn’t stand the thought of being forgotten. Well I have bad news for you, I’m no longer letting you cast a shadow over my life. On the day the last of my breath leaves my lungs, you’ll be forgotten for good, nothing but a distant memory.”
Even as Reuben removed the boot from Declan’s chest, the older man did not dare move until Reuben turned his back to him fully. He finally re-joined Leila on the stairs as she beamed proudly at his display. Only offering their visitors one last warning, “Get out of my sight, all of you. Leave Leila, Connor and I in peace or else I swear that you lot will be on the receiving end of at least one very angry dragon who are more than willing to rend you to pieces in defence of their home.”
