Hiii could you make a dating Talbott Winger headcannons I love him so much and I really think he’d be like the I hate everyone but you trope
A/N: I'm sorry that it took such a long time for me to write but I was battling with stress and life lately, and now that I'm fine, I started to have so many ideas but I need to finish request and write the chapters that had been waiting for ages in my documents lol.
And thank you everyone, who waited patiently!
P.S: I don't remember whne this ask was sent so I'm gonna put this on my "Summer Celebration" post!
Requests are OPEN!
𝐷𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑇𝑎𝑙𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡 𝑊𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑠...
We all know Talbott is a silent boy, he prefers to stay away from trouble unlike a certain person that has his interest, but it doesn't mean that he doesn't have an adventurous side of him.
Yet, I still believe that he likes to have some kind of... control? When doing something? Like, yeah, he takes risks.
Just not extreme risks
Or, if you were to introduce him to some muggle vehicles, I think he would love to ride a bike with you and watch as your laugh would be carried to hus ears as the sight of you all happy and glowing would consume him.
Yeah, our boi definetly has a way with words.
Except the point that he made you swear to never talk about the first time he tried it as you showed how to bike, and he fell hard while being busy admiring you in return.
You, of course, accepted it with a giggle but not without crossing your finger because Bill demanded he had to know everything about your date.
He also swoons whenever you beat someone's ass in dueling. There were many times you rocked people's shits, especially Merula's since she always demanded one only to loose, to the point that no one actually stood a chance against you and refused to train.
Proud boyfriend Talbott and proud mama Bill moment 🥺😭
Like really, there isn't something you would do/make that he wouldn't be proud of and supportive
Crochet? Amazing, could you make a hat or a swan plushie? Draw? Excellent! Maybe you could teach me a few things, dove? You want to deceive the first years by playing an innocent game? Well, it's not like him... But he would be down with it anyways, especially after the ultimate "puppy eyes" weapon.
For some reasons, I see his whole vibe with you as Harry Style's "Golden" song 😭😭🥰🥰
It's literally the song that phrases your relationship!
"I know you were way too bright for me/ I'm hopeless, broken, so you wait for me in the sky..."
" Don't wanna let you know I don't wanna be alone/ But I can feel it take a hold, I can feel it take a hold..."
"I can feel you take control, I can feel you take control/ Of who I am, and all I've ever known lovin' you's the antidote..."
Since he didn't have his parents from a young age, and that they were killed right in front of him, Talbott had difficulties with associating himself with people around him.
That doesn't mean he hated them, or didn't want to talk. He did, he really did... He just didn't know how, and was scared that they would be gone too.
Especially early in your "friendship" that he often denied, but secretly liked the taste of the word on his tongue, he pushed and pushed people away, especially you... until only he was left.
But hey, it was a good thing that you were a persistent little shit because not only you were able to befriend him and show the true colors of life, show him that many people cared about him, you also took his heart and soul for yourself... like, for good.
Yeah, Talbott is definetly one of those rare guys who would stay loyal to his partner until the day he died and then even more.
If there was one thing you never expected from him by how he seemed so reserved, it was the fact that he was clingy when alone. Like, eagle boy would do anything to cuddle, hold hands with you, kiss and hug and do anything you ask for.
His hand holding is much more frequent than other forms of PDA. Talbott isn't very keen on them, since he hates attention, but hand holding under the table disecretly happens a lot.
He sits with you during breakfast and dinner, evennif you were in a different house, and your friends tease you for it affectionately.
He especially hold your hand thightly when he feels overwhelmed, or sad because of remembering his mother... to feel grounded, because he often feels like he lives in auto mode where he doesn't actually know what he is doing and doesn't have control.
That's when you step in.
When that happens, and Talbott usually tries to make it all go away through drowning himself in his studies, you would often look for him in thr library. But since he didn't want you to disturb your own peace just to find him, and he also didn't want to be found in a fragile state, he would go for less predictable areas.
He knew it saddened you whenever he refused to talk about his problems, he was aware and it broke his heart too... But he was scared.
You were the best thing that happened to him, even when he thought and still thinks he wasn't worth being loved, even when he thought he wouldn't find any ounce of happiness... Because why would he? He didn't have anyone left from his family at such a young age, his other relatives didn't care much and he was bad at socialising.
He fought and fought, but for what?
But then you came, stubbornly wanting to be his friend... Alongside the huge friend group you brought, and now he had a lot to loose but also a lot he gained.
He didn't understand why someone like you, the hero of Hogwarts, would find anything in him to activelly seek out to be friends with him...
But whatever it was, he was glad. Glad for your stubborn heart, glad because thanks to you, he found a new family.
You healed his aching heart with your sweet smiles, reassuring words and selflessness. Slowly but surely, you settled deep in his heart and after time, he realized he loved you... Immensely.
He couldn't pinpoint the exact moment obviously, but maybe... he always loved you, while watching from afar... While you won Quidditch, solved the mysteries about the Vaults, saved the school one many times... Or how you achieved more than average witch in your age, or how you risked your whole school life just to help him find the necklace of his mother.
Perhaps he realized right then and there that yes, he was in love with you and yes, he was already too deep to get out of that hole that was love.
And he didn't want to, for he was used to darkness when you came with the light of your eyes and heart, and saved him.
He could never be that boy he once was, and he didn't want to. Because now, he had you and a future to hold on to.
You both were the ones who confessed first, under the night sky as you both blushed at the cliche sight but you were content, happy to call this amazing, kind, thoughful and strong boy your lover.
Like I said before, there are a lot of things he wants to do with you: Travel together, have late night dinner dates, go to a beach, have a little cabin at the outskirts of Scotland...
But above all... There is one thing he wants to do with you the most one thing that often has him blushing and unable to sleep.
Grow old with you.
NOW TO THE FUN PART, ENOUGH DEPRESSING
Whenever you try to find him, out of class and studying sessions you both have, he is in the Owlery and all the owl LOVES him! Like really, whenever you two hang out in the school grounds, a flock of them comes and finds him and perches on both of your shoulders happily while picking on your hairs or hiding behind them in a way of playing with you.
He loves jewelries, mostly necklaces and bracelets, so whenever you buy something for yourself, he demands one too.
And he also loves matching with you too, so any necklaces, he's matching with you. It's one of the subtle ways of telling everyone that you/he was taken.
All the teachers and your friends knew you two would be end game, from how in love you both seemed and how Talbott started to smile genuinely after such a long time.
But what sealed it for you both was when he asked you to come to the Owlery, that he had an important thing to say and hive to you.
Imagine your surprise when he looked at you so softly and offered the necklace that had his mother's swan feather, accompanied with the pendants of his initials.
"This necklace used to be the sign of all the things I lost, a reminder of death... But I know my mum would have wanted you to have it, the girl who means so much to me, who I imagine my life to be spent with... I want this to be the sign of our love and my loyalty to you, for you to carry on your neck and hopefully never take it out... If you will have it and me..."
Like I said, he is a one-woman kind of boy and when you start a relationship and things started to get serious and deep, Talbott wouldn't shy away from hinting at marriage and a life together.
Because if this didn't show you the depth of his love, I don't know what would.
Another cute gesture he does with you, especially in like 6th or 7th year, is to wrap his arms around you from behind and put his chin on top of your head after laying a tender kiss there. ( why do boys get so much taller in like a few months when I'm stuck at the same height for the rest of my life 😭)
You two often visit and stay until late in the Owlery. That place had become some kind of a safe space for you both, where you can be with each other in silent, read books or simply feed the owls happily.
OMG HIS FAVOURITE WAY OF SPENDING TIME WITH YOU IS READING ❤️😍
You liked reading books by yourself, but when your boyfriend had a raspy voice and was food at imitations of the characters, you didn't have to do anything except laying back on his chest as you buried yourself in his smell as he read to you, thightenung his hold on your frame.
But just as you loved being read to, he actually likes it as well. He is just bad at showing and telling that. But whenever you see him looking at a book, then at you with a pout, you know what he wants.
And who were you to deny him of that when he looked so cute?
Madam Pince, even though she resented you for pranking her and was close to banning you from the library, was now looking at you and your boyfriend softly because one, you finally weren't there to break the rules but rather trully reading and two, you also helped her clean the library with Talbott too.
But none of you needed to know.
Now that I mentioned her, all the teachers have had bets about your love life. Like when one of you will confess, when you will have a kiss, when you will have a date etc.
And quite creepily, Minerva and Flitwick almost all the time knows when and where and wins quite a few galleons.
Snape couldn't care less, because he hated your guts... Or mayyybee he was slightly interested since you gifted him a cake and offered good mornings every day even though he would snap and he started to not hate you but just dislike.
Sprout was just happy to see her two favourite students together, alongside with Minerva, and offered her blessing with an enchanted flower that would never wilt.
But Dumbledore? Oh, he always knew from the start and didn't bother with such childish act... but he had bets going on with others in the ministry soo~ (Don't get me wrong, I still hate him.)
You know when Hermione said that girls could get in boys' dormitory but they couldn't enter girls'?
Yeah, there were many times you did that, at the beginning for cuddles... And later in your last year, for different things *wink wink*
Ehem, another act he loves doing are ( and I need to say, if a man did that to me, I would simply melt) taking your hand in his and putting it on his chest, where his heart is and kissing your forehead and lingering his lips there for a few seconds more.
Just imagine the feels and how hard your heart would beat I-
FLOWERS! YOU BOTH GIVE EACH OTHER FLOWERS ALL THE TIME!
You giving him flowers actually has a funny story because you thought he wouldn't like them, especially early in your relationship
But you couldn't help but think that daisies would look good on his dark, long hair
So you hastily went to Hogsmeade, came back in a hurry and sent a letter to him through your owl to meet you in the Owlery
It was definetly worth seeing the dark red tint on his skin when tou explained why you wanted to give him them
"I wanted to show you that I care and love you a lot, and flowers are a great way to show it, especially since I enchanted them!.. And by your reaction, I'll do that more in the future!"
And yes, you did so... Even after being married for such a long time, eventually having kid/s and in your 60-70
And he never stopped blushing and returning the gesture just as sweetly, always adding a little blessing and thanks to Merlin for bringing you into his life
This headcanons are already taking so long so I'll stop here before it gets out of control lol
And I'll go and continue crying at the corner because I don't have a Talbott in my life 🥺
As some of you may know, this was a reguest from @cabbages-posts
Once again, thank you for requesting this since it means to me you like the way I write. The MC described in this story is the same MC in HPHM so you can do about everything 🤷🏻♀️✨ Talbott is really insecure about himself in this, hope you don't mind. I imagine that he started to change and see himself in a diferent way roughly sometime after this incident. (Also reader is a bird animagus like Talbott, nut feel free to insert any other animal you prefer.)
Sorry for taking this long, uni work is killing all my time. Hope you like this!
Warnings: It's just pure fluff with a little angst if you close one eye and sexual degrading comments from a Slythering student towards the reader. Nothing big, really. Just the usual stuff most of us heard at least once in our life. I used the F word once, as well as asshole. Talbott also sends a few curses, but doesn't physically harm anyone (the punk in question calmly gets up and runs away like a wounded animal).
Pairing: Talbott Winger x fem! reader (established relationship)
Fandom: Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery
W: 6412 (o.O like wut? I didn't expect this oneshot to be so long.)
My masterlist
The way your hair glistened in the sunlight was addictive. You were just bending down to pick the spiky flowers when a strand of your hair fell in your face. Unable to resist his desire, Talbott gently reached for them, uncovering your beautiful face and softheartedly put them behind your ear. They were just as tender as he remembered and as the sweet smell of your shampoo assaulted his sinuses, he quite consciously sucked in your intoxicating scent once more. He rested his chin on your head and stroked your hair lovingly.
Talbott rarely ever showed his affection for you. Most of the time, he did so by letting his inhibitions disappear and giving in to his own desires. He didn't know if he could afford to do this to you, if you wanted it, or how you would react if he actually did what he dreams of doing day and night. And as soon as he came back to the harsh reality of what he was doing, he immediately let you go in shame every single time no matter how much you told him you loved it.
He was too nervous to see how much his gesture made you blush. He purposufely looked away from you as his eyes were searching for something to serve as distraction, his hand at the back of his neck. A habit he unconsciously made whenever he was too shy or nervous in your presence.
You were the only one who made him insecure about himself.
It wasn't because of the way you acted around him or anything you said to him. If anything, you've always let him know how much you appreciate him and how much you love him for who he is - for being himself. But... YOU were too good for him. You were perfect at anything you touched. You excelled in every subject, and even though Snape didn't like you twice, your grades were still among the best. You managed to befriend every wizard, witch and magical creature. Everyone adored you. You were brave, beautiful, willing to put yourself in danger to save others, smart, you even sang in the choir and you were capable of playing any position in Quidditch!
Compared to you, he... He could never be your match. The only thing he was really good at was transfiguration and caring for the plants. Although... On multiple occasions you told him how much you admired his clever brain, how you wished to be at least half as smart as he is. One time you even confessed how incredibly sexy you find his cleverness. After hearing your hurried confession he studied even more then before. He wanted to impress you.
Ever since that first day he found out he was your secret crush, he's felt so much better about himself. And every time you chose him out of your long list of admirers to go to a date or to a ball with without hesitation and reassure him that he would always be your first choice, his confidence grew again.
And yet... Every time he was made aware of your superhuman incredibility, he couldn't help but watch you from afar. He admired you more than anyone else.
"Aren't you more touchy-feely than usually today?" You giggled happily and handed him a bouquet of his favorite flowers. Since your first date in Hagrid's garden, picking Thistle has become a bit of a tradition. Whenever you came back here on one of your many dates or just passing by on an evening stroll, you always picked him a bouquet of purple beauties. You yourself would have preferred to choose slightly prettier flowers but you liked the reason why Talbott likes them in the first place. Still, you wished he would begin to think better of himself than that he was often overlooked just as this flowering plant. You wished there was some magic that could make him see himself through your eyes, at least for a while. Then maybe he'd realize how amazing he really is.
"I-I'm sorry..." Talbott was quick to apologize, thinking he'd ruined the rest of the day with his gesture. You finally saw each other after a few days when you were busy with all sorts of things while he was studying in the library and secretly watching you in his animal form whenever he could. Today was supposed to be your day, and he ruined it. "Guess you don't want to see me anymore tonight, huh?" He grumbled, feeling the nervous beat of his heart echoing in his ears as he waited for your answer.
Your eyebrows drew together in an expression of confusion at his thought. Are you expressing your feelings towards him wrongly that his conclusion is a negation instead of a positive? You gently caressed his cheek while you pulled his forehead down to yours. With a smile on your face, you were once again reminded of how Talbott had changed over the past few months - when you met two years ago, he was the same height as you and his build was rather flabby. Now when you wanted to look into his eyes, you had to tilt your head, stand on tiptoe when you wanted to kiss him on the cheek and whenever his strong arms wrapped around you, you got lost in his broad chest.
"Talbott... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad you're overlooked by most people, because then everyone would jump on you." The confusion was switched from one person to another after your last sentence. "You're the most beautiful, kindest person I've ever met, and every day I fall under your spell more and more. And every once in a while, when you make a romantic gesture like you did a moment ago, I feel like my heart explodes with happiness. I love it when you kiss my hair, when I come back to my room and there's a flower and a poem on my bed, or when you wish me sweet dreams and good mornings everyday." You confessed to him and tried to put into your words all your emotions of love that swirled through you like a tornado. You still couldn't believe that someone like you got such an attentive, sweet and romantic guy as a boyfriend.
"Before I met you I thought I wasn't into romance but you made me selfish and I want it, I want you, more and more." Your face turned bright red and your eyes shone with love under the late sunlight. Talbott, utterly absorbed in your beauty and sincerity, could not tear his gaze from you, and watched you in astonished silence. Once in a while you caught him staring at you during meals or classes so now when he looked at you directly, you said nothing and simply smiled at him while you stroked his brown strands, waiting for your words to settle in his heart. Heat flared in the area of Talbott's chest as he watched you, and without thinking, he pressed his lips to yours in a sweet kiss.
"I really like you." He whispered against your lips, not daring to say the other word beginning with the letter L. A wide smile lit up your face as you replied back "I like you more," and although Talbott doubted it, he didn't refute your assumption and instead pulled you to him again. He felt his stomach clench as if into itself as you used your tongue to suck his bottom lip into your mouth and without further hesitation he came to meet you. Your kissing was unhurried but full of unspoken feelings hidden deep inside each other.
Too immersed in each other's touch, you didn't notice the door opening or the dog barking a greeting behind your back. "Stop flirtin' and go back 'to the castle! Curfew's comin' up." Hagrid's voice, enriched with boisterous laughter, interrupted you, and you both jumped apart in shame.
"We're coming! We're coming!" You shout back at him while stroking Fang's grey fur. A stick lay a short distance from you, and without hesitation you raised it to brown, playful eyes. "Want this, buddy?" You already knew that if you didn't quickly divert his attention elsewhere, you'd end up on the floor under a layer of dog saliva. When he wiggled his ass in delight, you successfully reached out for the throw.
"Aport!" You swung as hard as you could and watched Fang's tail wag back and forth with joy as he tried to catch the stick in mid-air. "Good boy!" Hagrid cheered as he watched his partner catch the wood and proudly patted him on the side when he came to show him. You said goodbye with a wave of the hand and walked briskly up the hill to the shining castle, reflecting the red evening sky.
"Next time, remind me to make sure we're really alone before we start making out." Talbott, who was even red behind the ears, growled next to you. His agitated attitude amused you and you felt like teasing him, but instead you just intertwined your fingers between his. As your hand slipped under his, his tense shoulders sagged and his hurried gait slowed.
"It still wasn't as bad as the night McGonagall caught us." You reminded him and shuddered at the memory. You weren't able to look her in the eye for weeks afterwards, not to mention Snape's hatred directed at you when he found out how many points your little date night had cost you.
"Ugh, so when I finally forgot about it, you just have to go and remind me again, don't you? I didn't dare to sit next to you for the rest of the year..." Your boyfriend groaned at your side, and when a gust of cold wind picked up, you snuggled closer to his warm body. Your heart, like his, leapt when he let go of your hand and wrapped his arm around your waist instead. "The next day we were the centre of all the gossip." He mumbled, his lips forming into a cute pout.
Until then, your romance was mostly known only to your close friends, but after you were caught in the hallway by the esteemed professor, you were the talk of the town, and not just during the meals in the Great Hall. The fact that neither of you denied it encouraged the omnipresent to concoct scenarios of what you might have done together in the shadows of the night.
"But I was happy to officially call you my boyfriend every time someone asked me about you." You told him and watched his reaction out of the corner of your eye. Surprise quickly gave way to disbelief until even that was replaced by a beatific smile. The fact that you wanted to show him off made him incredibly happy and proud. He was the one who could call you his, not anybody else. And you wanted to be his as much as you wanted him to be yours. "Me too." Noted Talbott and these two simple words made you feel like a little teenager falling head over heels in love once again.
"When'll I see you again?" You ask as you walk through the gate knowing that your time together is coming to an end. You already miss him.
"Are you free tomorrow?" Finding a date when you both have time together is challenging. It seems like fate is against you every time you try to meet. You had a feeling it wouldn't be any different now, as you shook your head sadly at his question.
"I promised to help Barnaby and Liz look after Nifflers during lunch break and I still have detention with Pitts in the kitchen after dinner." Unconsciously, you squeezed Talbott's hand tighter as you tried to figure out the day when you'd at least have a moment to spare. "But I have Quidditch practice on Friday around six and then I'm off. Would you like to come see me and do some flying afterwards?" You came up with an alternative time immediately.
“I'm not sure why you think I, of all people, am the one who can fly, but...” Talbott said with a serious face, and you couldn't help laughing out loud. You always get a laugh out of his jokes addressed to his eagle form, especially when he refers to them as the most serious thing in the world. As you saw Talbott's nod of approval, you couldn't wait for Friday. Wishing you sweet dreams, he said goodbye with one last kiss. Just two days and you'll see each other again.
.
The next morning you saw each other only briefly at breakfast when you waved to each other and both went to your separate classes that day. On Thursday, your schedule was the most different - you could at least be grateful for the time together in the Great Hall where the whole school meets for a meal. But besides that, you hadn't saw the other one the whole day, and you still had a detention to go to you'd got at the end of last year. At least you had your new partner there to make the long hours over a bowl of bread dough enjoyable.
"Hey Jae! Up to no good again?" You jokingly greeted your friend, looking at his hunched back over his diary where he wrote down all his upcoming orders.
"Welcome to our worst nightmare! I was almost afraid you were gonna leave me alone tonight." He looked up at you and gave you one of his half smiles that clearly indicated, he was once again planning something nefarious.
"Only almost?" You yelled over your shoulder at him while you washed your hands in one of the sinks. A light laugh was his answer, as was an amused glint in his dark eyes as he talked to you provocatively: "Offended much?"
You reached for one of several aprons hanging on the wall and made your way back to the long table the Asian boy was leaning against, his arms folded across his chest. "Not quite what you were hoping for." You reply and watch his exaggerated gesticulation with a smile as he places his palm over his heart in disbelief.
"Less laughter and more dough kneading!" Pitts shouted at you, fed up with your positive mood. Before he could pull out his chef's cooking spoon on you, you both got down to business and expertly began working on your task.
"You got some new business?" You nodded your head towards his notebook safely hidden in his back pocket. His voice was as quiet as yours, after all, you don't want to attract unwanted attention.
"Yeah, and pretty big!" His enthusiasm just oozed out of him and it was immediately clear to you that it had something to do with visiting Knockturn Alley. With a silent raise of your eyebrows, you prompted him to speak. "There's a student in our class who's desperately in love. Looks like the girl doesn't want him, but he just doesn't care. Phuhahaha! He's ordered a month's supply and looks like he's going to become a regular customer." He laughed and started muttering something about how he had to deliver the first batch this Friday afternoon and that he had to get out of the castle as soon as possible to pick up his order.
You disagreed with the love potion delivery - you remembered too well how you persuaded Ismelda not to use the potion on your mutual friend, and you just hoped that this time you would be able to prevent it as well. But Jae guarded his client's name like a hawk and refused to tell you. Although you were his friend and partner in several of his jokes, he was aware of your responsibility as prefect and had no doubt that you would prevent his new business. He couldn't afford that happening.
You crawled to your room late at night, determined to find out as soon as possible who was willing to go to such lengths to force someone into false love. First thing in the morning you're gonna meet Penny and ask her for help. You didn't know of anyone better than your blonde friend, who can keep tabs on all matters circulating around the castle.
.
Talbott woke up to a raining morning. It looked like it was going to be cold and wet all day today, yet he knew your team wouldn't cancel their practice. Just like the previous year, you made it to the finals with your hard work and great teamwork. You have worked harder than ever before - after all defending the title for the third time in a row won't be easy.
Talbott took his Ravenclaw sweater out of the closet and pulled it over his shirt. As he smoothed his robes his eyes fell on his spare, warmer sweater and without further thought he grabbed it and neatly folded it into his bag. 'She's often cold...' He thought as your self came to his mind and with a satisfied smile went to breakfast.
Exceptionally, he saw you before he heard you, which was unusual. He could recognize your boisterous laughter from across the hall and was always pleased to know that you were in a good mood every morning. Today, however, he saw you bent over next to your fair-haired friend with a thoughtful look on your face while you listened to Penny whispers. Not wanting to disturb you, he sat down at the very end of the table, as he used to do before you began to eat breakfast and dinner together. He missed you, but he didn't dare come between you and Penny.
Now that he was sitting alone again after a long time, he realized how much joy you brought into his world. The loud conversation, laughter and clinking of cutlery on plates turned into a uniform background noise. He knew it was impossible, but it seemed to him that even the ubiquitous colours had lost their saturation, as if they had faded slightly...
Talbott lost his appetite when he realized how dependent he actually is on you. Without you by his side, he had nothing to live for. Was his existence before you always so pointless and boring?
"Hey, love" the sing-song voice and the gentle embrace of arms around his shoulders broke him out of his reverie. Talbott smiled as his body leaned more into your embrace. "What are you thinking about again, huh? You should take a break from your brain once in a while." You joked and kissed him gently on the cheek. The gentle gesture of your affection to him shook his inhibitions so much that he pulled you to his face and quickly pressed his lips to yours.
"Just thinking about how much I need you in my life." He confessed, watching as your face brightened to happily incredulous. He could have sworn he even saw you happily hopping on the spot from one foot to the other a few times. If only he knew how much you were fangirling over him at that moment... Let's just say you were glad you didn't squeeled aloud.
"Thank you. I feel the same way, but... You should still take a break once in a while!" You brought the direction of your conversation back to it's original rail and sat down next to your boyfriend, who was feeling particularly determined today - so much so that he wraped his arm around your waist. You took advantage of the offered bite and scooped up the entire plate as you hugged him back and pressed your head over his chest. You were pleased when he didn't protest and instead rested his chin gently on top your head.
"You are one to talk. Couldn't you at least take a day off from solving all the problems and mysteries that arise in Hogwarts?" He snorted, brushing his hand over your arm in slow strokes.
"If I'm not the one saving Hogwarts, than who is?" You utter almost without interest and reach for his unfinished toast and take a bite. "Besides, it's nothing serious, just the possibility of fooling some girl with a love potion." You say and watch Talbott slowly nod his head while he bites into the toast in your hand. He's suddenly very hungry.
He sure as hell didn't want to get involved in any of your dangerous adventures. Rather on the contrary, he wished you would stop doing this heroic thing of yours, so he wouldn't have to worry about losing you every day. Yet he understood your motives for seeking another vault. If he himself had even the slightest hope of saving his parents, he would have rushed after it without hesitation. The love potion certainly wasn't as bad as your fight with a werewolf.
After breakfast, you said goodbye again, each heading to your classes. He knew he'd see you again in transfiguration class, and later he'd come to watch you train. Still, he couldn't help checking the clock every few minutes to see when it would finally be lunchtime.
His first lesson was DADA, which he definitely enjoyed more last year, when you had it together and he could secretly admire your talent for spells. He enjoyed sitting by your side and liked the warmth radiating from where your elbows or thighs touched, but to be able to watch you from the back pew as you demonstrated to the class how best to fight a ghoul? You looked hot. And he got to call you his.
Professor Green began her lesson. He already knew the spell she was teaching in today's lecture, so he could afford to let his mind wander to you and pay partial attention to the explanation of the origin and history of the defensive spell.
When the time for the demonstration came, his eyes watched professor's every move with atentive eyes. What snapped him out of his enchantment were the two voices of the boys in front of him.
"Ain't she hot?" A low snicker fell from his friend's lips.
"I bet she is an easy one. She craves attention so much she'll stretch for anyone." Another wave of laughter rose accompanied by a series of vulgar hand gestures. Talbott felt his stomach twist into a knot of disgust. How dare they talk like this about someone? Talbott tried not to pay attention to their pathetic conversation, but their sonorous voices pierced his ears like a needle through a vein.
"Maybe. But I won't leave anything to chance." Said the first boy, dressed in bright green, with a disgusting smile plastered across his ugly mug.
"What'da ya mean by that?" The other asked curiously, and though Talbott partly did not want to hear the answer, he found himself straining his hearing in order to not miss a single word. Although he is not the confrontational type and prefers to solve problems verbally rather than with his fists or a duel, he still vividly recalling his conversation with you during breakfeast about some guy with love potion. Even if he couldn't prevent the Slythering boy from coming to the girl and stopping him, he can still hear the plan and either keep a close eye on him or warn you he's Jae's new client.
"I insured it." The answer came, and he pulled an unmarked vial of potion from his robe pocket. Talbott's mind spun into overdrive as soon as his eyes caught sight of the black vial. He must be the one who bought the love potion. The chances that among the 600 students are more guys who wanted to deliver a love potion on this day are minimal, but possible. The chances that he's the one you're looking for are less than 1%. The chances that he's the one you're looking for are less than 1%.
He didn't have to wait too long. Transfiguration class came sooner than he'd hoped, and as soon as he saw you talking to Andre outside the classroom, he immediately headed over to you. "Hey," you waved at him, but before you could say anything else, he grabbed your arm. "I think I know who the guy with the love potion is." He blurted out quickly, answering your question about who is it, before you could finish asking. "Some Slythering guy in our year. Don't know his name, but he has dark brown hair and eyes. Big beauty mark on his left cheek." You nodded and thought deeply. There are a lot of brown-haired boys in Slytherin, but only two in your year. The beauty mark will be your best shot at deciding which one is it.
"Thank you, this will help us a lot. I'll tell the others what you found out and we'll try to find him during the breaks and convince him not to do it." You smiled at him, and a sense of pride came over Talbott. He was glad he could help you a little.
"Did they happen to mention the girl's name?" You asked curiously, knowing how valuable this information was. It would be easy to warn her, and even easier to have one from your group watch over her at all times. The dismissive shake of his head was a disappointing but not devastating.
"Never mind. We're gonna have to focus on finding the guy first. Shouldn't be too hard." You assume, and with newfound vigor, you head to class together. How hard can it be to find one student when you know what house he is from, plus you know his general description? Apparently much harder than you originally thought.
He was nowhere to be found. The search party was joined by others besides Penny, with Barnaby and Liz guarding the Slytherin dorm while the others searched every nook and cranny. At lunch, Talbott thought he spotted him, but he was easily lost in the crowd of other students. During the break between classes you always tried to search as many rooms as possible, but there wasn't much spare time.
Rowan and Ben were in the library while Tulip kept watch in the Courtyard. Chiara, Andre and Badeea were each in one of the clubs, while the others were running around the castle from one classroom to another. You knew about every hiding place in the castle and searched them all - without success. Eventually you got to the point where you couldn't continue your search with the others - you had to go to your practise. Skye and Orion won't let you sneak out of training just before the finals.
You were just coming down the spiral staircase in your Quidditch outfit when you caught Penny and Talbott walking towards you. “We thought we'd go somewhere not too crowded so Talbott could change and get a bird's eye view of the school grounds.” Penny told you their new plan. “Sounds like a good idea to me.” You nodded your head in agreement. It wasn’t a bad idea at all, Talbott can cover a large area in a relatively short period of time while he’s in his animagus form.
“Don't worry if you don't find him today. Maybe he doesn't even want to give her the potion today, and we've all wasted a whole day looking for him for nothing.” You told your boyfriend since you knew what a perfectionist he secretly is and that even though he doesn't show it, he really wants to help you in your search. He smiled appreciatively at you: “I know, I know. You don't have to comfort me yet.” He joked.
“Well, we should get going, just like you.” The blonde inserted herself into your little exchange, and before she left, she made sure to wish you good luck, along with an apology for not being able to come see you today. She started up the stairs, but Talbott did not immediately follow. “I'll make about two rounds and if I can't find him, I'll fly out to see you like I originally promised.” He walked over to you and tucked one naughty strand that had escaped from your ponytail behind your ear. His voice was much quieter than usual. “He doesn't have to ruin our date, does he?”
“No, he really doesn't have to.” You nodded and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Looking forward to seeing you.” You winked at him with a playful smile and skipped down the rest of the staircase. Talbott watched your hair bounce with each step and only when he lost sight of you did he follow his friend.
Although he didn't imagine today to be a hectic day, he was glad for the chance to stretch his wings and fly. It always cleared his mind beautifully. He couldn't relax that much with anything else, unless you included falling asleep in your arms. He turned his wings to catch the current of the wind and let it drift freely, while his keen eyes searched for the brown-haired boy.
Halfway through his second loop around the castle, he noticed Jae waving his arms frantically to catch his attention. Talbott descended into the shadow of the stone wall where he transformed back. As soon as his boots touched solid ground he came out to meet the boy in the yellow sweatshirt who was already running in his direction.
“Where’s Y/N?” He blurted out before Talbott could say anything. “She’s on the pitch, they have a practice today.” He didn't understand what good this information would do him, but he still gave the location of your current whereabouts without hesitation.
“Crap... That’s not good. Not good at all...” Jae started mumbling to himself, completely ignoring the Ravenclaw student in front of him. “What’s wrong mate?” Talbott's question seemed to snap the Asian out of his rant. He grabbed Talbott's shoulders and squeezed them tightly: “If I'd known sooner, I swear I wouldn't have given him the potion! I didn't know it was Y/N! You have to believe me, ‘kay? I would never-”
“What about Y/N? What’s wrong with her!? You aren’t making any sense!” An irritated Talbott jumped in. He wanted to know immediately what was going on with you, but Jae was babbling about unimportant things instead. “Cut to the point!”
“Philip wants to give that love potion to Y/N!”
Doupt.
Betrayal.
Resentment.
Bitterness.
Fear.
Talbott’s mind became preoccupied with intense emotions and hostility towards that Phil or whatever his name is. He was in a jealous rage. You were his girlfriend and the whole school knew that and yet he dared to take you away from him by pushing himself onto you with creating fake, illusionary feelings?
No way in hell.
There’s no way in hell he’ll let that happen.
The stiff body started to move on its own. The walk was replaced by a fast stride, which was transformed into a run within a few seconds. Talbott has never had a reason to run in his life. Jae shouted at him from behind his back where he was going and what had gone into him, but Talbott's brain registered only a high-pitched squeak. Nothing was more important to him than getting to you in time to stop you from drinking that stupid potion.
His feet carried him halfway when he saw you slowly sliding down to the ground, where a black and green blur waved at you. His labored breathing turned to wheezing as he picked up speed. He called your name again and again, but distance silenced his desperate cries. His side stabbingly stung when you landed on the ground a few feet away from Philip.
He won't make it.
An icy drop of terror flooded his body as he watched you accept the offered drinking bottle with mistrust in your eyes. His neck tightened into a narrow slit as your mouth approached the neck of the bottle. He must have spilled the potion in there. There was no springly water but a disgusting love potion!
Your mouth widened in a blissful smile as you said something to Philip, the bottle ever near, ever present in your hand. It felt like everzthing around him stopped and gone silent. Talbott almost stopped at that moment. Almost. But he was too close for that. You were almost within arm's reach...
He was aware of his rude behaviour when he flew between you like an unguided missile and knocked the bottle out of your hand in one fell swoop. The contents of the bottle remained untouched and before he could think about it his impulse made him grab the bottle, open it and spill the last drop on the ground. He watched with smug pleasure as the liquid seeped into the ground.
“The fuck you think you’re doing?” A scratchy voice shouted at him. Talbott was frazzled enough as it was, and his words were the last straw for him. He rose briskly to his feet and pointed his wand at the center of his chest. A simple wave and a word threw Philip back a few feet, his ass hitting the ground hard with a cry of pain.
“Don’t touch my girlfriend asshole.” It was the first time you saw Talbott pissed off, really pissed off. It was also the first time you've seen him pull a wand on someone and use a curse word. It was, to say the least... Remarkable. And even though it wasn't welcome in this situation, you couldn't resist the feeling of happiness that spread through you like a disease. You really liked how protective he was of you.
The sudden commotion drew attention of your teammates and it wasn't long before they formed a circle around you. “What’s happening here?” Orion asked as his searching gaze swept over the three people in front of him - two on their feet while one was sprawled on the ground.
“He wanted to give her a love potion.” Talbott growled through gritted teeth, never taking his eyes off his enemy.
“That seems to me to be quite a serious accusation that should not be made without solid reasons which will prove its truth.” Orion said in a serious tone, his hands clasped behind his back. “He’s lying!” In a desperate attempt to save himself, the accused caught hold of a thrown safety rope. Now that there wasn't a shred of evidence left, they had nothing on him. Once he realized this fact, he clumsily scrambled to his feet with a newfound confidence.
“But we have, though.“ You put yourself in and stood by the side of your love. A disbelieving "what" fell from the boy's lips. You smiled at his sudden change in demeanor - he was looking at you like a mouse caught in a trap. “Don't you know I'm friends with Jae?“ You started listing your evidence, starting with the most obvious one.
“That doesn’t prove anything!” He snapped back at you, but it didn't escape your eyes as he clenched his hands into fists to stop the shaking.
“No, it doesn not.” You agreed with him. Until Jae's here and points the finger himself, it's just word against word. “But running your mouth in the middle of class, talking about how you're going to give me a love potion is, don't you think? Revealing your plan before it was implemented is not recommended.” You put another nail in the coffin. You hammered another nail in the coffin, ready at any moment to use disarming spells on Philip, whose face had turned red with rage. To the astonishment of everyone else, however, it was the young man standing on your left who could not keep his anger in check.
Talbott sent a series of curses in Philip's direction, accompanied by resonating memories of a conversation that directly involved you. No one will call you a bawd in his presence. Not without consequences. “I was sitting right behind you and your little friend when you were bad-mouthing my girlfriend.” Talbott huffed through his clenched jaw, his knuckles whitening as he gripped his wand tightly.
“That still doesn't prove anything...!” Philip defended himself while protecting his face with his hands. At that moment, you felt like you were the perpetrator and not him. Not wanting to subject him to something like that, even if he deserved it, so you lowered Talbott's rised hand. You spoke the next words in a quieter, calmer voice. “Didn't I tell you I smell fresh straw and cool wind when you gave me the bottle?” A positive nod was accompanied by a confused arching of the eyebrows. You couldn't help smiling as you began to vividly recall the scent that had become your favourite. “Even if I didn't know beforehand that someone was here to slip me Amortentia, I would have known immediately by the smell. It's his scent.” You looked behind you to where Talbott stood as you spoke your last words. Those were meant for him.
“I'm sure I don't have to explain what that means, do I?” You looked back at Philip, who quickly mumbled a hissing no and almost ran back to the castle without another word. You felt that you wouldn't have to deal with this matter any longer.
“He could have at least apologized.” Talbott muttered, still irritated, but you could see your smart, patient man in him again.
“I have everything I need with me.” You squeezed Talbott's warm palm in yours. “I can do without his apology.” The love in your eyes smiled at him like warm rays of sunshine, and Talbott couldn't resist the temptation to steal one of your sweet kisses.
“That's enough with the flirting, right? We've still got practice to do!” Skye shouted at you, always relentless when it came to Quidditch. It was with great difficulty that you pulled away from the soft lips still pressed against yours. “Looks like I have to go.” You said, even though you knew Talbott had much better hearing than you and the comment thrown to the wind didn't escape him.
“I'll wait for you in the auditorium. Go score as many goals as you can.” He shooed you away with another promise he whispered in his head. Tonight is the perfect night for him to tell you he loves you.
So, I've been wanting to write hphm tlsq, chapters, quidditch sidequests, and creature sidequests down from my character's point of view. I recently started writing a bit of flying solo (the quest where you become friends with Talbott), and I was wondering if I should continue writing it, and post it on my blog. I'd really appreciate feedback on my writing, and how I could improve. Thanks for reading this long a/n, and now, feel free to read the fanfic if you want.
Word count (so far) : 3,800
Flying Solo
Ever since becoming an animagus, I’ve been wanting to get closer with the mysterious, quiet bloke Talbott. I felt like he was a magnet, pulling me towards him. Speaking about Talbott, I got a letter from Penny, and all it stated was, “We need to talk about Talbott. Let's meet in the Great Hall now. With the urgency of her letter, I was really concerned. I ran from my dormitory straight to the Great Hall.
While walking over to the tables, I heard Rowan comment, “ I’ve seen an eagle flying around the school grounds a lot recently. I hope all the pet rats are safe.” After I heard that, I stopped moving and started wondering, could that be Talbottt?
I also passed Chiara, but she didn’t mention anything about an eagle, she instead mentioned to some Gryffindor kid called Jae, “Sorry, I’m a bit… preoccupied tonight.” Poor thing. She always makes me think about why bad things happen to good people. At least there is some good that comes out of it; a person that cares about making transforming less painful and more affordable.
While still walking over to Penny, I heard Merula yell at Ismelda. She was screaming, “Some bloody bird tried to nest in my hair earlier!” I guess even birds think her hair is messy as heck too. I laughed at the thought. That couldn’t have been Talbott though because he usually keeps to himself, and isn’t the biggest fan of Merula.
I finally finished walking over to where I normally sit with friends in the Great Hall, but when I got there, Penny was nowhere to be found!! I sighed and sat down. I nearly left after waiting for 10 minutes, but finally, Penny decided to show up.
“Ah, you’re here, Isabella! Thanks for coming,” she greeted, looking worried.
“Of course, Penny,” I said, picking up on her fidgety behaviour, “Now, what’s wrong?” I asked, getting straight to the point, “You sounded worried when you asked to meet.”
“It’s Talbott…” she said nervously. I quickly started paying more attention. I don”t know why Talbott has this sort of effect on me, but I really care about him, even though I hardly know him.
Taken by surprise, I blurted out without thinking, “Talbott Winger, the one who helped us brew an Animagus Potion? What’s wrong?! Is he hurt?!”
“No…” Penny said uncertaintly, “at least I hope not.” I raised my eyebrow at this. Based on my reaction, Penny quickly explained, “He’s been spending all of his time alone recently.”
I held back a laugh, “no offence, Penny, but have you met Talbott? He makes Snape look talkative.”
Penny awkwardly said, “I know he’s a… private person, but I've been his friend for a while. I can tell something’s wrong.” I gave Penny a sceptical look, and she added, “plus he’s been missing class, even Transfiguration, and that’s his favourite.” I subconsciously added that to my mental list of things to remember. Could Talbott be in an organisation like me? Did he join the Keepers of Adeen? No… I would’ve known if there was a new member… Maybe he joined Dark Core? It would make sense why they’d want him of all people because he can spy with his animagus ability… No, he doesn’t seem like the type of person to do that… Penny continued, snapping me out of my thoughts, “I’d ask him myself, but I haven’t been able to find him. I think he’s been avoiding me,” she said, looking like she was about to cry. I immediately became determined to help, I didn't want to see Penny this sad.
“That’s why I asked to meet you, actually. I was hoping you might know where he is,” she explained.
I felt really bad admitting, “sorry, Penny, I haven’t seen him at all recently.” I couldn’t look at Penny’s face with tears threatening to fall, so I quickly looked away. Suddenly, while gazing at my other friends, I got an idea, “but let’s ask around. Surely someone has to have seen Talbott.” Thankfully, Penny cheered up. “Mission accomplished,” I muttered under my breath.
First I went up to Rowan who apologised, “sorry, Isabella, I’ve been too busy with my studies to pay much attention to gossip.”
I asked again, “are you sure you haven’t seen him?”
She looked up from her book sighing, and asked, “if Talbott wants to be alone, shouldn’t you give him his space?”
Getting the hint, I left Rowan reading. Maybe I can get information from Merual, I thought. After asking the question, Merula asked, snorting, “Winger? Are you picking up another odd friend to add to your collection?”
“Talbott’s not odd,” I muttered, wanting to blast that smirk off Merula’s stupid face.
“Sorry, what’s that, Wallace? Standing up for your boyfriend?” she asked, trying to provoke me. I walked away, thinking better than starting a fight.
“Guess I’ll go to Tulip,” I told myself, “she might know since she’s in his house.”
All she could tell me was, “I haven't seen Talbott Winger around the Ravenclaw common room much lately.”
I sighed, leaving her to ask Andre who just asked me, “Talbott Winger’s the bloke that keeps to himself a lot, right?”
Giving up, I reluctantly went over to Merula again, who was no help, and just asked, “you have a hard time keeping track of a lot of people, eh Wallace?”
I looked away from her and spotted Professor Flitwick at the staff table. He might know more, I thought. Apparently, I thought wrong. He had just as much of an idea on the matter as me, saying, “no, I’m afraid Mr. Winger hasn’t told me anything,” and requesting, “if you do see Mr. Winger, please tell him we need to discuss his attendance.”
Tulip beckoned me over to her. I was hopeful for a moment for evidence, but all I got from her was, “Now that I think about it, I didn’t see Talbott Winger at dinner, does that help?’
“Not really, but thanks anyway Tulip,” I replied sadly.
Andre saw me and, I suppose he felt guilty for not giving me any information, because he quickly said, “sorry, I don’t know much about Talbott other than that he looks interesting.”
I sighed, saying, “it’s okay Andre, it’s not like it’s your fault.”
Me and Penny regrouped and I said, “that’s odd. I asked everyone who knows him and it doesn’t seem any of them has seen Talbott,” making sure she at least would feel a bit better, I added, “whatever’s going on, it doesn’t seem like he’s ignoring you specifically, Penny.”
“Though I’m glad he’s not only avoiding me, now I’m even more worried…” She looked away, and became lost in thought. She looked back up, “I want to look for him, but I promised I’d tutor a few first years in potions now…”
Seeing her sad look, I had to tell her, “don’t worry, Penny. I’ll find and talk to him.”
“Really? You’ll check in on Talbott for me? Why?” She asked, seeming suspicious.
I was quick to explain, “Talbott’s my friend, even if he doesn’t like to admit it. I’m worried about him and want to make sure he’s okay too.” I slowly added in, talking to myself more than Penny, “Besides, this might be a good opportunity to try to get to know him better.”
Penny ran up and hugged me, “thanks, Isabella. It’s a relief knowing you’ll be there for him if he does need help.” She pulled away, “Talbott might say he’d rather be alone, but I don’t think he really means it,” she said with a soft expression, “I really appreciate this, Isabella. Let me know how it goes and if you need any help.”
“Of course!,” I said almost immediately, “I’m heading to the Courtyard now, I’ll look for Talbott while I’m there.”
Me and Penny parted ways. I headed back up to my dormitory. After changing from my robes to my casual outfit since school was done for the rest of the day on Friday, I layed down, only for Chocolate to come with a piece of parchment in her beak. I was quick to take and read it. It started:
Dear, Isabella,
Since you won’t give up on looking for me, I’ll meet you in the Courtyard now.
Sincerely,
Talbott
This time, I was too lazy to run all the way to the Courtyard, so I transformed into my animagus form; a Peregrine Falcon, and flew out of my dormitory window, down to the Courtyard. “Shoot, I forgot about the landing process,” I said to myself, since I’ve always ended up landing by crashing into the ground.
As soon as the Courtyard caught my sight, I sighed, found the pear tree, and decided to crash into it. I shut my eyes tight and felt all the branches scrape me. I transformed back to a human and hissed in pain. I stood up, ignoring how bad it actually was. Looking around, the only people I saw in the Courtyard other than me were Jae and Chiara. Do they just spend all their time together? I thought to myself. I slowly walked over to the doors leading to the Courtyard.
I heard a calling whistle and quickly looked around to see Talbott leaning against the fountain as he stated, “over here.”
“Talbott! When I told Penny I’d look for you, I wasn’t expecting you to reach out and agree to meet me here first,” I said, surprised.
“So it’s true that you and Penny have been looking for me,” he said with an eyebrow raised and a sceptical look.
“Where did you hear that?” I asked, “everyone I talked to hasn’t seen or talked to you in days.”
“I little birdie told me,” he said smirking. I broke my composure and giggled.
After controlling myself again, I said, rolling my eyes, smiling, “nice try, but bird puns won’t distract me from asking about what’s going on with you for that long.”
He sighed, “It was worth a shot.”
I glared at him, “Talbott, I’m being serious. You’ve even been missing classes,” I sighed before continuing, “When Penny told me how concerned she was about you, I couldn’t help but be worried too.”
“I appreciate the concern, but as you can see, I’m fine,” he said, trying to convince me. I guess it was too bad for him that I’m able to tell when people are faking their emotions because I do it too.
“Are you actually fine?” I asked, then said accusingly, “Or are you just lying and telling me you’re fine so I’ll leave you alone?”
Surprisingly, unlike most people who get nervous or surprised when I accuse them of things, Talbott kept his composure and asked, “If I tell you I’m lying, will you keep pressuring me to find out what’s wrong?”
“Yes.”
“Then, I’m actually fine,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“Talbott!” I yelled, getting annoyed.
He actually did lose his composure for a bit but then continued, “So I’ve spent a lot of time alone lately. That’s not exactly newsworthy,” he paused and added quieter than before, “Why do you care if there’s anything bothering me anyways?”
I felt my face slowly heat up as I was under his piercing gaze, “I consider you my friend, Talbott, and I care about you. If something’s bothering you, I want to know so I can help,” I swallowed before continuing, “I thought you opened up to me back then because you thought of me as your friend, too,” I looked back into his eyes, “was I wrong?”
He looked around awkwardly, and, trying to come up with an excuse, he said, “I know I called you my friend earlier, but it’s just because I got caught up in the moment.” Apparently I’m good at making people feel bad, because, after seeing my face, he said, “It’s not that I don’t like you or anything. I’m just not ready to call you my friend yet. You barely know me.”
I muttered to myself, “Part of me was hoping this was my opportunity to change that.”
Noticing the awkward silence, I said, “Fine, we don’t have to talk about what’s wrong,” I felt around in my mokeskin pouch, and found what I was looking for. Smiling, I said, “We can play a game of Gobstones instead…” suddenly I got an idea, and added, “But if I win, you have to at least consider telling me why you’ve been extra distant lately,” I finished, smirking.
“And if I win?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I’ll tell Penny you’re actually fine and never bring any of this up again,” I said, trying to convince him.
“Alright, Isabella. If you can beat me at Gobstones, I promise to hear you out,” he said, looking determined.
After I set up the game, Talbott must have gotten a flashback, because he stated, “Your distractions won’t work this time, Isabella. I don’t intend to lose,” and to add some uncertainty for me he said, “I’ve been practising Gobstones.”
The distraction rolled off my tongue like water causing me to say, smirking, “and I’ve been spying on the ministry.”
“You’ve been what?!” He said surprised, not realising he completely missed the stones until it was my turn and he was sprayed, “ugh, honestly, you should be a Slytherin,” he said annoyed, “anyway, why’s Penny worried about me?”
“She fancies you,” I said sarcastically. Unfortunately, I was too distracted saying that, and only came back to my senses to see Talbott smirking, and myself smelling horrible.
“Nice try, but I know Penny likes someone else,” he said proudly.
“If I couldn’t say it any better, I’d say you actually like hanging out with me,” I stated.
“Well, I’d prefer to keep to myself,” he said, flustered.
“Well, I’d prefer to report you to the ministry,” I said, distracting him enough to spray him.
He sighed, “I’ll admit, I didn’t see that coming,” and under his breath he stated, “maybe if you didn’t keep distracting me.”
I smirked, “Distractions? What distractions? I’m just making small talk,” I finished casually.
Observing the game with his “eagle eyes” he replied, “You might be close to winning, but you can’t possibly have any distractions left…”
“We’ll see about that,” I glared while smiling.
“I’m setting up my special move…” he muttered.
“Is that a ministry official I see?” I asked, distracting him long enough for him to miss yet again, and for me to knock the rest of the Gobstones out of the circle.
Talbott groaned, “I know when I’ve lost. I suppose I can at least hear you out.”
After we stood up, he admitted, “Alright, Isabella, you won. Just like I promised, I’ll hear you out.”
“Talbott, I know you don’t like talking about yourself, but you shouldn’t be afraid to tell me what’s bothering you. You trusted me with your secret that you’re an unregistered Animagus… And as an unregistered Animagus too, I understand how much trust that requires…” I said, trying to convince him to tell me, “I guess what I’m saying is… I hope you know you can tell me anything,” I can’t say I wasn’t surprised by his response.
Talbott stopped to listen intently and suddenly said looking horrified, “shh!”
“What?” Then I stopped to listen too. I heard footsteps close by us. My eyes widened, “oh no! Oh no oh no oh no oh no,” I muttered under my breath. As quickly as those words came out of my mouth, I whipped out my wand, just to see Talbott doing the same thing after looking around. I softly yelled, “Homenum revelio!” Pointing my wand at where I heard the footsteps. I noticed Talbott did the same thing.
I wasn’t surprised on who I revealed, “Merula?! You were spying on us?!”
Talbott rolled his eyes, “She must have been under the Disillusionment Charm. That would explain why we didn’t notice her until she moved,” he moved his attention over to her, “How much did you hear?”
Merula looked annoyed, “Nothing… I was just passing through.”
Talbott scoffed, “Like I’d believe that. People who are “just passing through” don’t use Concealment Charms.”
“Even if I had heard you, what makes you interested in your little gossip? I have better things to do with my time…”
Talbott turned back to me, looking horrified, “Even though she denies it, Merula had heard we’re unregistered Animagi,” he looked more angry by the moment, “If that’s not bad enough, everyone in school knows her parents are in Azkaban for supporting You-Know-Who! The child of two Death Eaters knows we’re unregistered Animagi!”
I immediately backtracked, “I’m so sorry, Talbott. I had no idea Merula was listening in on us.” I’m gonna have to give myself several more scars for this later.
Talbott took a deep breath, “it’s fine…”
Trying to make things better I added, “Let me talk to Merula. Maybe I can-”
“No offence, Isabella, but you’ve done enough,” Talbott said angrily.
“But I know Merual! I can at least try to convince her to keep our secret!” With Talbott looking like he was about to say no, I said, “In fact, I’ll go find Merula and talk to her right now.”
“Thanks, but I don’t need anymore of your help. I’ll handle Merula on my own,” and with that, he walked away from me.
After going to the bathroom, adding several more cuts on my arm, cleaning them, and going back to my dormitory, I sent Merula a letter;
Dear Merula,
I know this sounds crazy, but I need to talk with you.
Sincerely,
Isabella
I sent Chocolate away. I sketched for about thirty minutes, waiting for her to come back. When she returned, she had a letter in her beak;
Dear Isabella,
If you must talk to me, you might as well come now. I’m in the Potions Classroom.
Sincerely,
Merula
I walked down to the dungeons, to see Merula getting blasted in the face with a potion she was attempting to make. I laughed and walked over to her. Although her face was now covered in a black-ish colour, she tried to act like nothing happened by quickly wiping it off. She went back to her potion, clearly ignoring me, so I cleared my throat.
Groaning, she asked, “What do you want, Wallace? I’m studying.”
“You read my letter, didn’t you? We need to talk.”
“If this is about you and Winger, I already told you that I didn’t hear anything”
I sighed, “Do you really think I’m daft enough to believe that lie?”
She smirked, “Are you sure you want me to answer that question?”
“Why were you spying on us, Merula?”
Rolling her eyes for the hundredth time, while making her cauldron stir on its own, she countered, “Why are you so incredibly annoying?”
“Look, Merula, you can keep avoiding the subject all you want, but I'm not leaving until you agree to talk, so you might as well cooperate,” I said, trying to not let my anger get the best of me.
“Ugh, you’re really not going to go away until I do, are you?”
“Now you’re getting it,” I said with a prideful smile.
Losing the argument, Merula gave in and said, “Fine, but I’m going to finish this potion first, so you might as well grab a beaker and make yourself useful.”
While grabbing the beaker she pointed at, I mentioned, “I didn’t know you were so studious, Merula.”
Just having to be rude, Merula said, “Studying must be a foreign concept for you, eh Wallace?”
After handing the beaker over to her, I sighed, crossing my arms, “Just because you don’t usually see me studying doesn’t mean I don’t. I just try to avoid you throughout the day.”
“Since you’re just standing there, you might as well hand me that bottle.”
Leaning over to give it to her, I noticed Merula’s book was filled with notes in the margins that aren’t in her handwriting. “What potion is Merula even brewing?” I muttered, studying her book. Apparently she heard me because she replied, “How are you passing potions? This is just a simple Wideye Potion. Honestly, Barnaby has more brain cells than you.”
“Well, I feel like Barnaby is very smart, so I’ll consider that a compliment,” I said, sticking up for him. Changing the subject, I asked, “Would you really report Talbott to the Ministry, Merula?”
“I couldn’t care less about Winger. I just followed you thinking you were sneaking off to go Cursed Vault hunting, so I really don’t care.”
“I’d say I can’t believe you’d spy on me, Merula, but that’d be a lie.”
“Wow, you finally understand my personality, Wallace,” she said sarcastically, “Fine, I admit it, I was listening in on you and Winger, but only because I thought you had more info on the Cursed Vault of Fear.”
“Aha! So you were lying!”
“Yes, alright, I lied about not hearing anything. So what?”
“I don’t blame you for spying on me and lying about it. I would’ve done the same if I were in your position, but I would’ve gotten away with it,” I muttered in the last part.
She put an over-exaggerating expression on her face, “I wasn’t spying, I was keeping an eye on my competition,” she thought for a moment, and suddenly said, “And what’s that supposed to mean?!”
Ignoring her last comment, I continued on, “So just to be clear, you weren’t spying on Talbott and me to try to learn our secrets?”
Without confirming or denying what I asked, Merula replied, “Like I said, I wasn’t spying, I was keeping an eye on my competition, and why else would I be interested in you and your odd friends?”
“Like I said, Talbott’s not odd, and I’m not sure if I should feel relieved or insulted.”
“If that’s all-”
“-Wait, Merula, the real reason I came was to convince you to not tell anyone about Talbott’s and my secret,” I said quickly.
“Why shouldn’t I tell anyone you and Winger are unregistered Animagi?” Merula said challengingly.
“Because I’ll force you to keep it a secret if necessary.”
“Are you seriously threatening someone who could get you and your friend sent to Azkaban?” Then she said something I wasn’t expecting, “You might be more interesting than I thought, Wallace.”
“So will you keep Talbott’s secret?” I said.
“We’ll see, won’t we?” She asked, trying to scare me.
“Merula, this is serious,” I said, unfazed.
“I am being serious,” she smirked, making me worry. Not for myself, but for Talbott. I don’t want to be the reason he’d get sent to Azkaban.
“I better find Talbott now and warn him about Merula…” I said to myself after Merula left with the biggest smug look on her face.
The days bled like any other at Hogwarts. Though the winter season was vastly approaching as the air grew cold and the slight sting of the wind. Though the warmth found in love never lets one grow cold to the bone, only ever to wake to make sure it wasn’t a dream. With a little help from a canine friend...that always helps too.
Your POV
The winter is closing in and I can start to see frost creep on my window of the mornings when waking up. Classes happened per usual and it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle or at least get help on it later. When it came dinner time, I could feel myself drool over even the smell from the dining hall as I came closer to the doors.
“Miss (L/n), a word dear?” I turn around to see Professor McGonagall coming up to me.
“Yes, professor?”
“Hagrid is looking for you. Seems he has something important to discuss with you.”
Hagrid needs me? He normally never asks anyone for help unless its one of the professor. This must be important if he’s asking for me.
“Ah, thanks for letting me know. I’ll head over there right away.” I take a quick glance over my shoulder at the dining hall and shrug off the hunger growing in my stomach. I begin to make my way to Hagrid’s hut and see much of his garden is still somewhat intact with growth that grows in the cold. I see smoke coming from the chimney and knew he was in.
“Hagrid?” I say as I knock on the door. The door swings wide and I see the hulking figure of the Hogwart’s Ground Keeper. The one and only half-giant, Hagrid, the biggest heart of gold you’ll ever know.
“(Y/n)! Good to see ya! Come in! Come in!” He ushers me into his hut and the warmth hits my body like a heavy blanket and I see a cauldron boiling over the fire and fang’s half-asleep next to the fireplace. After the door shuts though he’s wide awake and sees me. He runs over and tackles me as I grab hold of his wrinkly face and start petting him as he licks my face.
“Good to see you too, Fang.” I say between his onslaught of kisses.
“Seems like this will be easier than I thought.” I hear Hagrid say behind me as I hear him take a seat near the fireplace.
“What will be easier, Hagrid?”
“Well, I’ll be a leaving ere’ soon to go about a task Dumbledore ask of me. Sadly, I can’t take Fang ere’ wit meh. So I have to find someone to watch over em.”
“Which is why you called me over?”
“Yes...I’m sorry its on such short notice. But will ya do it?”
“Of course Hagrid. I would love to watch Fang for you. With how much you’ve helped me, its the least I can do.”
“Splendid! Could ya take him right now?”
“Now?!”
“Dumbledore said, the moment I found a keeper for em, I need to leave. Dragons can’t be kept waiting.”
“Dragons?!”
“I’ve said too much...” He stands and grabs a couple of bags in the corner and slings them over his shoulder.
“Trust me in this, if Dumbledore asks, its best to trust the process. But could ya start watching Fang now. I’ll have to leave tonight. I can let yer professors know the situation as well. They all love Fang, so having him in classes will be a nice change of pace for em.”
“Y-yes, of course and thank you. But you said dragons! What on earth could Dumbledore need to know about them.”
“Something Ministry related. Nothing too serious, but we’re on a deadline and a tight one at that.”
“Good enough for me. Be safe then, Hagrid. Don’t get yourself burned.”
“I’ll try my best. Thank you again, (Y/n). It means the world to me.”
He reaches down and gives me a big hug as he lifts me into the air. For a second I can’t breathe, but I hug him back best I could as he sets me bag down and I follow him out into the cold and see his motorcycle packed and ready to go. Starting it up makes all the birds in the area fly away but he shoots off with them and I wave him off. Waiting till his figure is no longer seen.
“Alright then Fang, let’s head over to the Dining Hall. I still haven’t eaten and I want to introduce you to some of my friends.”
He yaps happily and we start to make our way over and upon arriving, the hall is still somewhat crowded but not as much as before. I spot my group near the fireplace all chatting and laughing with one another. Tonks is the first to spot me and waves me over.
“Hey!” I sit down beside Penny with my back to the fireplace and Fang hops on the bench beside me and yaps happily towards everyone.
“What’s Fang doing here?” Charlie asks while pointing at said pup.
“Hagrid wants me to watch him while he’s away. Some business with dragons for Dumbledore.”
“Dragons!” Charlie jumps up a bit and I wave him off.
“That’s all he said, Charlie. Nothing else besides what Fang likes to eat.” He sits down a bit sadden but not too much since Fang is here. Everyone starts to get their turn petting him and he couldn’t be anymore excited with all the love he’s getting.
We eat a little and chat with everyone either about upcoming classes or assignments or even some pop culture news from the Daily Prophet. Everyone was happy and I couldn’t help but smile at how we got along so well. I prayed that it stayed this way even when we left. Leaving Hogwarts seems so far away, but yet its around the corner. We’re in our 6th year and next year will be our last. Doesn’t even seem real.
“Talbott!” I hear Penny beside me exclaim and wave towards the door. I turn my head and I see him giving a small wave back but then his gaze comes down to me and I see him smirk. I smile back at him and take in his attire. He’s ditched the robes and sweater for just his white button up and his tie is loose. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbow as well and it makes me realize that...this boy is a lot tougher than he looks with all the layers.
“What’s Fang doing here?” He takes a seat beside Fang and gives him a pat on the head and Fang snuggles up to his side.
“(Y/n) is watching him for Hagrid.” Penny pipes. I just nod my head and he smiles and looks down at Fang.
“Well you’re in good hands then, Fang. (Y/n) will take good care of you.” Fang yaps at that and raises up and attacks me with kisses.
“Fang- Oh my gosh- Fang down boy!” I try my best to get him off and when I finally do I feel my face and just feel slobber as I take my hand away and it follows.
“Oh come on!” I begin to wipe it off with my robe and hear my friends laugh at me as I smile and wave them off. But what caught my ear was the muttered and hidden laugh of Talbott. I feel my face heat up and start wiping away the slobber more feverishly.
After that we continues our meal until everyone left one by one except for Talbott, Fang, and I. We sat in silence studying our own books in a peaceful silence for a bit. Every once in awhile Fang will whimper for attention. However as I reached for my quill to take a note, I found no purchase. I look up from my book and see nothing where it should have been and look under to table to see if it fell and nothing.
“Lose something?” I hear Talbott.
“My quill...I swear it was lying here a second ago.”
“Have you asked Fang?” I turned to him confused and see him holding back a smile.
“Why would I-” I cut myself off and quickly turn around to see Fang licking my quill and trying to bite it.
“Fang! Give me my quill.”
He jumps up with the quill in his mouth and does the stretch like challenge pose where his head is on the floor but his butt is in the air. As I get closer and feints coming at me and runs away from me. He believes its a chase and begins darting back and forth away from me all throughout the dining hall.
“Talbott! I could use some help!” I glance back where we were sitting and see him hiding his face in his hands and I can tell he’s laughing because the smile he has plaster across his face. The the sound of my voice his hand glides down to cover his mouth. I see him get up before I focus back on Fang and chase him more around the dining hall. I continue to do so until he is in the middle aisle and I’m towards the stage as I see him challenge me. I begin to run at him and he turns around to run the other way until an eagle stops in front and it transforms into Talbott who stands firm in front of Fang ready to stop him. Fang doesn’t stop with me on his tail, but rather runs right through Talbott’s legs.
He turns a bit and as I try to stop my momentum, but I end up tripping over my own foot and feel myself fall. I see Talbott turn back around right as I fall into him.
“Ow.”
“You alright?” I hear a small mutter underneath me as I lean up and I see Talbott follow by sitting up some. I open my eyes and see his starring at me and I feel one arm wrapped around me. Before I could respond I hear yaps and barks coming from the side of us and I look ahead behind Talbott to see Fang sitting happily, no quill but breathing heavily, happy with his game.
“I’ll be alright. You?”
“I’m fine.” I take out my wand, using Talbott’s body as cover as it seems Fang is about to take off again and I cast a small sleeping charm on him. His body goes limp as I get myself off Talbott and help him get up.
I hear quiet snores as I slowly glance down and see Fang has fallen asleep successfully. His somewhat quiet snores as a twitch runs through his leg.
“I think that worked.” I whisper over to Talbott who approaches up beside me. He gives a smile.
“You will definitely have your hands full.” He whispers.
“Think so?”
“Definitely.” I start to pet him along his back almost soothing and making sure he stays asleep.
“I have no clue how he’ll be in my classes if he did this.”
“I’m sure most would understand. I’m not to sure how Snape will handle it.”
“He’ll probably scare Fang out of his fur.”
“Or maybe he’s a dog person.”
“Snape?”
“Hey, you never know.”
“If Snape ends up loving Fang. I will buy you Butterbeer for the next trip we take to Hogsmeade.”
“Deal.”
“I think I’m going to take him to bed though.” I gather my things and get my wand again to cast Wingardium Leviosa on Fang and he floats as I keep my concentration.
“Goodnight, Talbott. Please get some sleep this time. Don’t stay up studying.”
“I’ll try my best. Goodnight, (Y/n). I’ll be listening for Snape’s answer.” When I make it to the door of the dining hall I turn. back around and see him watching me. He seems surprised that I turned, but I don’t read into it and just wave him goodnight.
Next Few Days
Handling Fang had been a lot more than what I initially expected. He made quite a few messes. Here’s a summary of the more...odder ones.
Herbology:
“Today we’ll be learning about the Womping Willow! Please, everyone be careful with your sprout. It may be small but it can still leave a nasty bruise.”
Herbology had been as good as always. I was quite interested in the willow, but with Fang’s presence it was hard to focus. Apparently, Hagrid had let all my professors know I was taking care of Fang and that he’d have to be with me most of the day, which meant attend classes with me.
“Fang. Stay right here. I need to fetch some tools.” It didn’t take me long to find what I needed to trim the little willow but on my way back to the main classroom their was laughter and shouting going on. When I came back Fang had somehow grabbed hold of a young willow and began chewing on it like a normal branch. Students were chasing after him to get it out, but he kept running away from them thinking it was a game of chase.
“Miss (L/n), can you get a hold of Fang, please.” Sprout approaches me, but she was calm which stood out to me. It took me a moment to process everything and quickly nodded.
“O-Oh, y-yes. Right away. Fang!” I exclaim, I step in his path when one student chased him over to me.
“Sit!”
He sits, panting a bit.
“Drop the willow...Now!” I said sternly. He becomes reluctantly but hold my gaze and he soon submits and drops the poor willow which then slaps his jaw. He yaps and runs behind my legs hiding.
“Serves you right messing with a Willow.” I scold him.
“This is not what I imagined the Willow study would turn out to be.” Sprout appears besides me and we both look out over the classroom. Students with dirt on them. Willows crawling out of their pots and wacking some people.
“I’m sorry, Professor. I left him for a moment to get tools-”
“Don’t worry, dear. It happens. To be quite honest. This is the best Willow session has turned out in years. I’ve normally have at least one or more student going to the Hospital Wing because of the Willows. This time...its just a mess. Which you will be helping to clean.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Transfiguration:
“We’ll be reviewing the Pin cushion so please take the time to practice before we move forward.”
Everyone starts casting and many are succeeding since we all I’ve done it so many times now. With the pin cushion in front of me. I wave my wand and cast the spell and the cushion changes into the porcupine. Fang on the other hand...didn’t know this.
With a yap, he falls out off the bench from beside me and falls to the floor and runs to hide behind McGonagall’s desk. She looks at me a bit perplexed, but calms as she ushers him out from behind the desk and he’s hiding his face in his paws. When he peeks, he gets scared again with all the porcupines and turns and darts behind McGonagall. She looks at me and I just shrug with an awkward smile.
Potions:
“I don’t need any dilly dallying. Get to work or you can choose to give me a 4 page report on the benefits and the downfalls of the Living Death.”
Focusing on my potion and the directions. I motion Fang to stay put this time. Occasionally I’ll look back and make sure he’s there as I’m gathering ingredients and following the directions. When I check on him while I weigh something on the scale, he’s just gone. Subtly but quickly look around not seeing him anywhere. My gaze lands on Snape with his usual expression of contempt, but he’s eyeing the room a bit more than usual. He pulls something out from his pocket and leads his hand farther down. As I track the motion I see Fang hiding in his cloak and takes whatever out of his hand and begins to chew.
A treat?
My gaze follows back up to Snape and I see him looking at me. No one else in the room seems to notice but me, but his hand comes up to his lip with one finger motioning me to stay quiet. I couldn’t help but smirk and nod in acknowledgement and go back to my ingredients.
I owe Talbott Butterbeer.
Dining Hall
“Yes really. I swear. He literally gave Fang a treat!”
“I figured he may have liked dogs, but Fang...He must have a soft spot for him.” Talbott has Fang sitting between his legs under the dinner table and he’s petting him as we wait on his food to arrive.
“I didn’t expect it either. It was quite the sight.”
“Looks like you owe me, a butterbeer.”
“Indeed I do, Winger. Indeed I do. When is the next trip anyways?”
“I believe its this weekend. I definitely need to go. I need new quills.”
“Same here. Possibly some more ink as well. I’ll have to check when the week is over.”
“Are you guys talking about the trip to Hogsmeade?” Penny suddenly appears and sits down across from us.
“Yep. Do you need supplies too?” I ask.
“Not really, but it wouldn’t hurt to get extra. Just in case ya know. I think Tonks and Tulip was talking about Zonks as well for a prank they’re both planning.”
“I’m glad I’m not on their radar.” Talbott points out.
“Stay on their good side and you won’t have anything to worry about.” Penny says munching on her sandwich.
“I remember Charlie and Bill talking about getting some new books on Dragons and Curses as well.” I say. As we start to talk, Fang’s food arrives beside my own and I lean down to give it to him. He leaves Talbott alone and munches down as we do the same with ours.
“Seems like everyone needs something in town.”
“We’ll that’s not too bad. We can all meet up at the Broomsticks and have butterbeer together afterwords!”
“Sounds like the plan.” I say. Fang finishes up his food and hops up on the bench and slumps against me. I wasn’t expecting it so I end up sliding against Talbott. I grab part of the table and his left arm to stop myself as I feel his own wrapping around me to cushion me from falling into him anymore.
“Fang!” His head leans back to where his skin sags off his face and makes it look like he’s smiling upside down against my chest. I couldn’t help but laugh a little and feel a vibration of another one on my back.
“Sorry, Talbott-” I turn to face him, but realize our faces are mere inches apart. My eyes met his and I’m suddenly dragged deep into his. My back was on his chest as I could suddenly sense every movement of my body against him. I feel something gently squeeze my arm and realize its him.
“You’re fine. But it seems like Fang is a more than just little mischief maker from what you’ve been saying and now wants attention.” He says. He hasn’t moved away from me and has neither tried to push me off him, but rather letting it happen.
“Yeah...he’s the mischief maker.” I hear Penny’s smirk without even needing to look.
“You say ‘mischief maker’?” I hear Tonks chime in. My focus finally break from Talbott and I see her sit beside Penny not even acknowledging the awkward mess I’m in.
“Because you must be talking about me.” She continues but Penny gently pushes her head towards Fang as she finally takes in the scene.
“Oh, well is this a smashing conundrum.”
“Yep.” Penny’s smirk grows even bigger now and I can sense her, ‘I know you like him, make a move!’ tone coming from her.
I gently push Fang off and position him in my lap instead and lean up off Talbott.
“Sorry about that.”
“You’re fine. Just glad you didn’t end up falling.” I see him rub the back of his neck, with nervousness. Why would he be nervous? I blush a little remembering the contact we had but moments ago and his face seems to turn a bit red against his tanned skin.
“Same here.”
“I don’t think she fell here.” Penny piped in. I step on her foot from under the table.
“Ow-” She stops dead in her tracks looking at me as I give her a look to stop teasing.
“I mean...yowzers! Would you look at the time. It’s getting late. We should probably head to bed.” Penny exclaims.
“But I just got here.” Tonks confusion is written all over her face as Penny grabs her by the arms and drags her out of the dining hall.
“Isn’t it a bit early to turn in? And what did she mean?” Talbott points towards her as I see Tonks fighting against her grip.
“Maybe, but Penny is an early riser. She also probably wants to make a list of ingredients before the trip. And I’m also a bit perplexed, but Penny can be an enigma sometimes herself.” I quickly say. Trying not to stare too much into his eyes.
“Was there something specific you may look for while we go into town?” He changes the subject and I’m glad he did, I’m not sure if I could try and cover what Penny was saying any better than I did.
“Maybe some new books on dragons or curses myself or maybe both. Depends. I’ll just have to see.” Fang barks up a storm beside me until I pet him on the head.
“Yes, maybe get you a few treats as well while we’re in.”
“If that’s the case I can help. I’m not really looking for anything, if you want me to that is.” He’s fully turned to face me now and it takes me a moment to process what he had said. I can feel my hands fidget the ends of my sleeves as I feel butterflies take over my stomach.
“Oh..yes. I don’t mind at all Talbott. I appreciate the offer.”
“No problem. Would you object to my company Fang?” Fang bounds off the bench and waddles over to Talbott once more and puts half of his body against him and barks.
“Seems like he would love your company Talbott. Anyone and anything would.” I give him a smile as he returns the gesture. We sit like that for a moment before I feel my face begin to heat up at his gaze and I try to find anything to look at except him to keep me from burning up.
“Could you help me with this Transfiguration assignment, actually? I was having some problems understanding it.” I quickly say trying to change the topic again. He agrees and for the rest of the night he gives me pointers and advice about how to think about something I actually didn’t have a problem understanding. His presence was calming yet flustering at the same time that I didn’t really know whether I should just hide away in a hole from embarrassing myself or stay and just listen to his voice.
Hogsmeade Day
“How do I look, Fang?” I give a small twirl in front of Fang showing off my outfit. I sported some simple black tights with a short plaid-form fitting skirt that was beige and black and thrown on an oversize turtleneck black sweater. I had ankle-high brown boots to sport as well with a small leather purse to hold my money and small treats for Fang along the way. He gives me a bark of approval. I top off my look with a small set of ear muffs and lean down next to him.
“Why thank you, kind sir. You look ravishing as well.” I rub both sides of his face and give him a small kiss on the head before putting on his collar and leash Hagrid had leant me and we made our way to the courtyard.
When I get there I see all my friends chatting amongst themselves including Talbott whose back was turned to me. I finally see Professor McGonagall doing a head count when she sees me arrive.
“Ah, finally my dear. I was rather worried Fang had you tied up.” As she announced my arrival that’s when everyone decided to turn around. I looked over to my friends and saw Talbott, but that wasn’t what caught my attention. It was the fact he seemed dumbstruck. Charlie and Bill started to push him back and forth between them muttering something to him and I could see his face flush from whatever they said. I looked away and busied myself with adjusting Fang’s collar when he darted forward towards my friends, stopping in front of Talbott and the others.
“Hey, sorry we’re late.” I apologize to the group when Penny and Tonks comes up beside me and pull me away from the boys. They started to compliment my outfit and I thanked them and gave some back about theirs as the entire group made their way to Hogsmeade. I could hear the boys being rowdy behind us and when we turned to look at them we saw them taking some of the snow and throwing snowballs at one another. Talbott trying his best not to get hit. While dodging, he was backing up, he wasn’t watching where he was going until I put my hands up and his back met them the rest of the way. When he felt my hands he turned to me. I could feel my face grow in confusion until I heard Charlie say something.
“Watch out!” Before anyone could react, I could suddenly feel my face become bitterly icy as a snowball pelts me in the face. The snow falls off my face and I could hear everyone just go quiet. As I open my eyes I see Bill still in the somewhat motion of having just thrown a snowball looking a tad bit horrified.
“Weasley!” I exclaim and pick up some snow and quickly make a snowball and pelt him in the chest with it. Soon everyone is pelting each other with snowballs along the way to Hogsmeade with Professor McGonagall just simple waving her wand diminishing any that come too close to her. Fang even made his own big snowball and somewhat tossed it at Charlie and it hit him in the leg. Everyone was laughing and just having fun which felt so nice compared to the stress we’ve all been under in recent years as well as our more constant studying habits. When we finally arrived at Hogsmeade the fight ceased and everyone seemed to scatter when McGonagall gave the all clear and the time to meet back up to travel together and reminder that if you stayed longer you need to be back at least before curfew.
When everyone seemed to disappear into the distant, it was just me and Fang it seemed.
“Well, Fang, ready to do some shopping?” I look down as he looks up at me and barks happily and wags his tail at me.
“Don’t forget me.” I hear Talbott behind me and as I turn I finally get to take him in. He’s wearing normal trousers and sports a nice black leather jacket with his house scarf and sweater as well as a set of black combat boots with his pants tucked into them.
“Wouldn’t dream of it, bird boy.” I giggle at the pun I made. He sighs heavily and his head falls and he looks down to Fang.
“You’ll have to cause mischief later to get back at her for me. That was such a horrendous pun.” He says coming up beside me with his hands tucked into his jacket.
“I like puns though, their cheesy.”
“Well, sometimes they’re also too cheesy to even laugh.”
“Well it made me laugh at least.” He just looks at me as we walk closer into town and starts to say,
“Where to first?”
“Book store maybe? It’ll have most of what we both need I suppose.”
“Sound like the plan.” As we walk we fall into a comfortable silence with a little bit of small talk just about necessities and other items of business before we arrive. When we go inside, its crowded with many student looking for what they need and the clerk running around and waving her wand to fill out requests.
“This might be a bit.” I hear Talbott mutter. I grab his hand and lead him over to the normal school supplies such as parchment and quills and ink.
“We just have to strategize necessities and then any extra things. I remember you said you need quills the other day so let try to find some good ones before they’re all gone shall we.” I look down at Fang and see his eyes bulging out of his head as his tail wags profusely at all the excitement around him.
“And you, mister need to behave. I know you like a little mischief, but I need you on your best behavior if you want a treat alright?” He barks in agreement and I smile and give him a quick kiss on the nose.
“That’s a good boy.” I whisper and stand back up to see Talbott looking around with quills already in one of his hands.
“Kinda hard to shift through these with only one hand.” He shakes his other making me realize I was still holding his other one after helping us navigate over to this section of the store. I feel realization wash over me like a warm wave and I quickly let go of it and apologize.
“Don’t worry about it. It felt...nice actually.” His face flushes at that and he looks away towards the supplies and I can feel mine become even redder as I do the same.
“L-let me try and find the ink and you shift through the quills. We can meet back up at the counter when both of us have everything.” He nods and I turn quickly to look for ink and other necessities. We seem to stay in the store for quite some time, but never straying too far from one another getting our materials to a point I start look for some interesting reads I was hoping to find. As I look through some of the books on the shelves I see one about dragons and the theory of their magical properties. Its a bit higher on the shelf so as I reach up, I realize I’m just a few inches off from reaching it and try to jump a little to grab hold of it. After so many times I huff in frustration leaning my hands against the shelf until another tanned skin reaches up and grabs it. I lean my head back a bit to see who my helper is and just meant deep honey amber eyes that I recognize as Talbott’s. He looks down at me as well and stops in his tracks as he sees me looking at him.
“You seemed like you were struggling a little...”
“Yeah...I was.” He places the book in my hands as I slowly turn around to him with my back facing the books and seeing we’re close together like before when Fang bumped me into him. Everything seemed to be slowed down by magic and everything got muffled out with us just staring at each other waiting for the other to say something or anything.
“T-thank you. For getting it. I was getting really frustrated there about it being too high up.” I laugh a bit nervously twisting the leash in my hand a bit.
“I was tempted to see what your plan was after jumping for so long.”
“You just watched whilst I struggled?!” I, in a fake gasp, exclaimed.
“For a bit, but then Fang pawed me and seemed to know you needed help so...”
“Well at least someone here has manners” I pet Fang on the head and turn quickly around to peruse other books as I hear Talbott laugh at my fake tantrum.
“Hey, now wait a minute.” I hear him catch up and we start to look around a bit more and I end up in a small pet section in the deepest corner of the store.
“I didn’t realize they has stuff for pets.” I mutter looking at all the nice little collars and costumes around for a variety of animal companions. I found a small sections for dogs and saw a pretty stylish coat that had different plaid patterns, I also found a cute bow-tie collars. I found the sizes for Fang and showed them to him.
“Whatcha think, Fang? Do you like the red bow-tie or this white bow-tie?” I hold them up to him and he looks between the two and paws at the red one.
“I like that one too. Okay, now, what about this black plaid coat or this red plaid coat?” I hold the two up and he paws the black one.
“Fang seems to have good taste.” Talbott says holding the basket full of our items and now Fang’s new clothing.
“Indeed. But I did promise him a treat too, so...Fang which bone do you want?” I let him sniff out all the different bones and he ends up choosing the thicker deer bone that he clamps onto as his jaw skin covers a bit of it.
“I think we can check out now.” I say laughing at Fang’s predicament with his new bone. Talbott checks out first and leaves the basket fill with my items for me.
“I can get the rest of this if you can watch Fang? I’ll meet you both outside.” He takes Fang’s leash and Fang happily follows him out while constantly looking back at his new bone in the basket.
As she rings up the total I realize that the book I wanted was a bit more expensive than I realized and it put me over the budget I made. And if I want to pick up that gift for Talbott. I still needed to pay off as well.
“Ah. I think I’ll change my mind on that book. Just everything else please.” Once I was finished checking out I see Talbott playing with Fang by tossing him some snowballs and Fang catches them only to crush them in his mouth.
“You boys ready?”
“Whenever you are. Where to next?”
“Ah..well. I have something private I need to pick up from the jeweler. It shouldn’t take me too long. If you want I can meet you back at the Three Broomsticks?”
“That cool. Sure you don’t want me to go with you?”
“Yes, we’ll be fine, won’t we Fang?” He barks in response and we wave Talbott off as I make my way over to the Jeweler in town. As I head inside, its quiet as Fang and I head to the back counter. As I approach, the clerk sees me and smiles, especially at my new friend.
“Hello hello hello, and who might this be?” He states putting on his glasses, in doing so, his eyes grow twice the size in the glasses.
“This is Fang. And he is very anxious about a special little ring we’re here to pick up.”
“Ah yes. Just one moment.” He disappears into the back and it doesn’t take him to long to come back with the silver feather ring. He lets me examine it and as I compliment him on his craftsmanship. I give him the rest of the payment as he wraps up the ring in a beautiful box and we wave each other off as Fang and I head back to the Three Broomsticks. As we do, its crowded with other students and other customers, but none being my friends. I look around for Talbott and see him by one of the fireplaces, tucked away in a corner with out stuff we got from the bookstore. I make my way over, but Fang runs out of my grip with his leash trailing and hops onto the bench Talbott was sitting on. Talbott looks over and gives Fang a warm welcome and looks up to find me slowly trailing behind.
“Glad you made it. I was worrying I wouldn’t get my free butterbeer.”
“Don’t worry, Winger. I’m true to my word.” I wave to Rosemerta and motion for two butterbeers and she gives me a gentle nod. I sit my purse down and scoot in beside Fang who sits between me and Talbott. He’s eyeing the bone from earlier on the table and I reach over and grab it and hand it to him. He gives a mighty howl before he takes it and begins to chew on it.
“He seems estactic about his new bone.”
“Lets see how he’ll look with that coat I got him.” I grab the coat out of the bag as well and put it on Fang while he chews on his bone and he ends up looking exquisite and quite adorable.
“You did well picking out his outfit.”
“Don’t look at me, he picked it out all by himself.” I say scratching behind his ear.
“With help of course.” Talbott starts to scratch the other side as well and our finger brush against one another momentarily, but neither one of us pulls away.
“So, what did you have to grab? I know you said it was personal, but I can’t help but be a bit curious.” I can feel myself smile a little at the thought of the ring I had for him.
I reach into my charmed bag and grab the small box out and hold it for a moment.
“Its a gift. I had it made a bit ago and just was saving up to pay it off.” I set the box on the table and slide it over to him as he looks down at it and at me with confusion and perplexity on his face.
“A gift. For you, Talbott. After helping me become an animagus..and becoming my friend you could also consider it an early. Christmas gift if ya like.” Friend didn’t suit him for me...but for now, if that’s all I can get, I’ll take it.
“(Y/n), you didn’t have to-”
“Please. It’s the least I could do for you. I just hope you like it.”
He opens up the box and see the silver feather ring inside. As he picks it out of the box, I can see it again in its simple glory. Silver all the way around except where the stem of the feather is, lining itself with gold. As he turns it, he stops and I know what he’s looking at.
The date. The anniversary date of his parents.
“How-” He starts before I cut him off.
“I asked McGonagall. She helped me out with some of her Auror contacts. I’m sorry if that seems a little invasive, but I thought it would make it more...personal.”
“(Y/n)..this is...I love it. But how did you get my ring size?”
“Andre helped with that since you guys are dorm mates.”
“Did he get it while I was sleeping?”
“Oh, no no no. He got it when he made you that outfit for Hagrid’s birthday. He got your ring size then and I asked him for it. Although, if he got it w. ile you were sleeping that would have been a tad funny.”
“More like creepy.” He puts it on his middle finger on his left hand and makes sure its on.
“Well yes, a bit of that too.” I couldn’t help but laugh at that and he started to laugh as well.
“I guess this will be a good time to give you your gift.” He reaches beside him and brings out two items. The book from the store and a small box like the ring box, but a bit bigger.
“Talbott..you didn’t-”
“Just hear me out. I saw you through the window when Fang and I left and I knew you wanted that book. You love Dragons just about as much as Charlie does, I’d wager...more so. Anyways, I went back and got it for you when you left to get my ring, apparently.” He slides the book closer to me and I grip it in my hands tight as I use my fingers to trace over the cover on it which was a golden inlaid dragon stencil in the leather.
“And this...is actually an early Christmas gift from me to you.” He opens the box and inside is a locket with a chain. The locket was silver like the ring with a smaller rose-gold heart in the middle. I gently grab it out of the box and open it to see a small group picture of my friends and the other side is empty.
“I left one side open for whatever you’d like to place there.”
“Talbott...” My eyes just glaze over a bit as my finger trace the locket.
“Fang..can you move for a moment please.” I asl Fang, when he looks up at me, he immediately hops down under the table and I hug Talbott tightly when he does. I can feel Talbott having to catch himself as I surprisingly flung myself at him, but I feel him give the hug back as his arms wrap around myself. When I lean back, I lean back just enough to see his face a few inches from mine like back in the dining hall.
“I love it, Talbott. Thank you!” As I lean back I push the necklace towards him a little.
“Do you care to help me put it on?” I can hear his breathe catch a bit before he gently takes the necklace from my hand and I turn around and push what hair I have out of his way so he could get the latch to lock. Once it did I turned back around and fiddle with it between my fingers.
“Guess we both had a hunch the other liked jewelry, huh.” He said a bit quietly so I could just hear it.
“Yeah, guess we did.” At that moment, Rosemerta placed our butterbeers on the table and I gave her the payment for it. Once she walked away our conversation flowed. We talked about so much. Our friends, school, Fang, and our future and what we hoped it’d be. Pretty soon we realize its almost time to meet back up to leave. So we gathered our stuff and put it in my charmed bag and left. As we walked outside, it began to snow on the sunset horizon and I felt myself shiver a little bit. It went away when something a tad heavy fell onto my shoulders and warmed me up right away. When I looked it was Talbott’s leather fur-lined jacket.
“Tal-”
“Don’t. I’ll be fine, I promise.” He leans out his arm a bit motioning for me to take it and I do. Warming myself up next to him as Fang stays close with his jacket on my other side.
“Its weird we didn’t see anyone at the Broomsticks. Where do you think they went off to when we all spilt up?”
“Probably back to Hogwarts. To me it would seem once they got their items they got too excited to wait to look into what they got and wanted to get to it right away.”
“Penny, yes. With her potions she’d want to try something new or practice an old. Tonks and Tulip most definitively with their mischievous minds. Andre with new fabric. Badeea with her new paints. Charlie and Bill with new spells or dragon related information. I can see your point.” I giggled a little as he listed off our friends and their various hobbies and adventures. It seemed they didn’t need either one of us to have fun today and I’m glad they got what makes them happy. The night stares start to peek out of the sky as the sun begins to set lower and lower into the horizon and I felt my head lower onto Talbott’s arm as we continued to walk and it became silent as the courtyard came into view and we neared the fountain.
“I had a good time today, Talbott.” Fang howled a little as I spoke.
“Fang did too. Thank you for choosing to spend your time with us today. I know you like alone time, but...today was really fun.”
“I did too. I’m not sure I could ever head into Hogsmeade alone again after today.”
“Well, if you ever need company. Fang and I will come running.” I turned to him a bit more, still holding onto his arm as I faced him and looked up at him. I could see his lips curl into a smile as I said those words and I couldn’t help but do the same. Suddenly something started to tighten around my feet. As I looked down I saw Fang going around my feet using the leash as a binding.
“Fang, what are you doing?!” As. he circles, he actually gets Talbott in the leash as well and tightens us both together. I can feel my hands grab Talbott’s sweater to help keep my balance and I feel Talbott wrap his arms around me to do the same for me and him. We were fine until Fang gave one last yank of the leash that we finally fell to the ground and ended up in a much more closer position than when Fang had us chase him in the dining hall and I had tripped.
“Well this is-”
“Strange, but familiar.” Talbott says from underneath me. We both look over to see Fang sitting like a good dog and watching us, he gives a little happy yap as he lays down continuing to watch us.
“Mischief under the ruse of shyness. Clever boy.” I say.
“I can’t reach my wand.”
“I can’t reach mine either.” I say as my. hand are stuck between me and Talbott’s chests.
“C-could you reach mine?” I ask.
“Where is it?”
“In the back pocket of my skirt.” I feel one hand try and wiggle to reach it as I. feel my wand fall out of the pocket.
“Engorio!” He waves my wand and cast the enlargement charm as the leash becomes much larger and looser than before around us.
“How many times am I going to fall on you.” I say slowing unwrapping myself and getting up and off of him.
“I’m not sure...but I’d be there to when you fall if it means I’m the one catching you.” He reaches out his hand to me and I take it as he pulls me up, so much so that he pulls me into his chest and his hands rest on my waist.
“Then I should be falling a lot more.” I say a bit cheekily, but I could feel my face grow from ember to being a small fire as the words came out of my mouth. I could see his lips curl into a big smile as he pulls me in a little closer. Just standing there taking the other in. My hand slowly drifts up to the side of his face as I cup his cheek and feel the warmth wave off of him. My thumb gently grazes across his cheek. Its so soft yet rough and his eyes look terrified yet determined as his pupils widen as I look at them. His amber pools move across me waiting for something...anything. I could say the same. His head shifts a little more into my hand and a little closer, so close that our heads touch and we just breath in the other’s closeness. My hand raises closer to the back of his head and into his hair. Its almost as if we both hesitate and stutter, but as the distance closes between us.
Our lips met and it was the warmest thing I ever felt in my life. My eyes fell closed as I just took in the moment and we moved against each other. You could say all the cliches happened when our lips touched. The sparks, the electricity zapping between us, the two puzzle pieces finally coming together as one. And they’re true. They’re all true and so much more.
There’s a language for this, called love and I think I knew why the word friend didn’t work for Talbott. It never felt like a friend, it was always so much more. When we pulled apart, our eyes met again and they spoke for us. We needn’t say a word when our eyes did the talking.
Fang gave a great big howl and we both come out from our high as we laugh as he jumps up and down with joy as if he planned the whole thing. My hand slides down to meet Talbott’s and cast the reverse on the leash and bend down to meet Fang. I give him a big kiss on the hand and he walks along with us bounding in his steps as we all head back to the castle.
So this a bit an overdue request from @chocolate-chip-cookie1 so sorry for the wait, I would think I would feel a bit more relaxed and more lively now that Spring Semester is over but that’s not the cause at all.
So this is a TalbottxFemale!Reader situation (a first for me). The reader has a twin sister and Talbott has a bit of an oopsie and mistakes the twin for his girlfriend.
Anyways, I hope you like it!
--------------
Talbott never really thought he could see himself in a relationship. He prefers to avoid people altogether if he could.
But that all changed when he got to know you.
At first, he considered you to be a nuisance at best. He heard about you and your twin sister, Rebecca. The two unofficial Cursebreakers at Hogwarts, on the hunt for their long lost brother who disappeared years ago.
When you came to him asking about how to become Animagus, he was quick to brush you off. He didn’t believe that you could take such a precise and complex process so seriously. Just as you were about to get up and leave, feeling the weight of rejection on her shoulders, he stopped you.
At the time, he was sure it was because you knew how to get into Filch’s office. But secretly it was because he didn’t like the hurt look in your eyes.
He found himself slowly warming up to you as you two went threw the process together. While he didn’t see you as a friend yet, he find himself being able to tolerate your presence.
It wasn’t until he lost necklace. While he was devastated, he never let it show. But you were able to see right through his façade. You didn’t leave his side, even with his constant rejections in the beginning. While it did hurt, you were determined to help him.
While Talbott never said it aloud, he felt touched by this. With his necklace now safely back in his possession, he was able to fully see you in a new light.
Someone he could trust.
Someone who he could call a friend.
The brilliance in your smile, in his eyes, rivaled the stars in the night sky twinkling above you both.
Some time would pass before you two would become more.
An awkward first date that ended with you two stargazing in the Courtyard.
A ruined Valentines’ Day party that ended with you sharing a romantic evening the the Greenhouse.
A flight around the Quidditch Pitch after being proclaimed festival ambassadors.
Daily dates in Hagrid’s Garden as well in the Courtyard at night.
Talbott was sure he knew you like the back of his hand.
Well... almost.
------------
It was after Transfiguration class and Talbott was heading to the Great Hall for some lunch when he spotted a lone figure in now empty corridor. A small smile tugged on his lips as he approached the girl from behind, hugging them close.
Talbott was about to place a chaste kiss on his girlfriend cheek when he was hastily shove back.
“Woah, woah! Hey now... wait a minute,” the girl laughed nervously.
“Are you alright, darling,” he asked, confused as to way the young witch pushed him away. The girl turned and stared at him with wide eyes.
“Talbott, I think you got the wrong twin...” Red eyes narrowed as he studied the girl’s face. With the face of his girlfriend in his mind’s eye, he could slowly the difference between the two sisters.
Mortification and embarrassment flooded his body and he let out a stuttered apology before taking off.
--------------
“Ben, Rowan... how often do you mistake the twins,” Talbott asked. He knew these two were relatively close with his girlfriend and wanted to see how often this mistake was made.
“Sometimes, after a few years, we were able to tell the two apart. But we have our slip ups once and awhile. Why,” Rowan asked the Ravenclaw wizard. Talbott fake coughed into his fist, averting his eyes from the two.
“I may... I may have almost kissed the wrong sister...” Rowan chuckled a bit and Ben gave Talbott a sympathetic smile.
“Hey, it’s okay, Talbott. Trust us, it’s not as bad as you think. We all have our slip ups,” Ben tried to reassure him.
Talbott felt a bit comforted by their words, but the feeling of guilt and embarrassment still ate at him.
---------------
“Sooooo... a little birdy told me you almost kissed someone that wasn’t your girlfriend...” Talbott felt his body stiffen at the sound of his girlfriend from behind him.
“Umm... I can explai-” Two pairs of arms found his waist as he felt muffled laughter against his back.
“If you’re worried that I’ll chew you a new one, you can stop. I find it quite amusing actually...” Talbott turned around to face you.
“Are you sure,” he asked shyly. You gave him a toothy grin.
“Oh yeah. I can’t tell you the amount of times we’ve been mistaken for one another. I had guys ask me out thinking I was my sister,” she chuckled.
You got on your toes to give him a chaste kiss on his lips.
“Silly bird,” you teased. Talbott rolled his eyes but hugged you back.
“Your silly bird...” You let out a giggle.
“You bet your tail feathers, bird boy. Not even my twin can change that...”
this is a tough choice bc they're all good prompts nggghh lez just say,,, 🏠 with my mains: autumn and birb boi talbott? 😗👉👈
🏠 – coming over
*thought I would mention that this request in particular heavily contains hcs of mine based on talbott’s living situation which you can find here if you’re confused. if you don’t like this you’re always welcome to request something else. thank you <3
Talbott stops them at his door.
It’s nothing she hasn’t necessarily seen before. Most wizarding neighborhoods outside of the more populated muggle cities tend to be more spread out. Talbott’s house is no different. Two of his neighbors are visible from the front porch, but it’d probably take a strong set of lungs to be heard from the same spot. His house, likewise, is rather tucked away from any hustle and bustle, idle and serene in the almost suburban countryside.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Talbott asks for probably the third time that week, his hand hesitating on the door knob. “Karli and Somer aren’t the friendliest of sorts.”
Autumn sighs, placing her hand over his. “To be fair, Tal, neither are you.”
The teen snorts in agreement, though he still seems uncertain. “Yeah, must be a family trait.”
“Whatever the case, I’m sure it’ll be fine. You said they mostly leave you to your own devices anyway, right?” She tries to reason.
“Well, yes I suppose,” He concedes, but a slight blush climbs up his cheeks and he looks away bashfully. “...but I’ve never brought anyone over before so...”
“New territory?” She supplies helpfully.
Talbott nods. “Yeah.”
Autumn smiles, leaning forward to give his cheek a quick peck. “Don’t worry. I’m sure everyone will be on their best behavior.”
“I hope so.”
And with that, and nothing more to say, Talbott pushes open the door and they cross the threshold into a quaint, but also very clean house. From first glance, it seems to have a very open floor plan and most of the furniture that catches her eye looks as though made from wood. But she also notices that the walls look starkly empty and bare of any sort of personal touch. No paintings, no photos, no knickknacks of any sort.
Autumn frowns slightly at the observation, but doesn’t have time to think on it further as they’re greeted quickly by a rather large figure hanging in the kitchen.
He’s...tall. Broad. He stands strongly like a statue in his place, his thick arms crossed over his chest. Unlike Talbott’s, his hair is messy and a bit longer in the back but also a familiar shade of hazelnut brown. His eyes also remind her of Talbott’s in intensity, but instead they glitter a pretty and vivid green.
“You must be Autumn,” The man says and she nods politely, her lips forming a thin line beneath the stranger’s watchful eye. “Talbott’s...” His eyes flicker over to his cousin. “...friend?”
“Autumn van Buren,” She responds in kind, trying her best to maintain confident eye contact. “Nice to meet you...”
“Somer,” Talbott answers cordially, already focusing on storing away Autumn’s bag in his room and that’s when she notices a suspiciously large pile of blankets on their couch. “That one is Somer.”
“Tal didn’t mention us?” The large man asks with a slight smirk but his eyes don’t shine with the mirth his tone suggests. “I’m hurt.”
“He did,” Autumn assures hurriedly as Talbott comes back to join them in the kitchen. “It’s just nice to be able to place a face to the name is all.”
Somer grins at her lazily like he knows not to believe her but is too well-mannered to object. He checks the clock behind him and turns back to address Talbott. “Karli is still in London at the moment but she’ll be back soon. I got some work to do but you guys have fun. Let me know if you need anything.”
“We will.” Talbott chirps as though mechanically and angles her over to what looks to be their fairly large living room.
Somer disappears down a long hallway and Autumn turns to Talbott with a smile. “See? He wasn’t so bad.”
Talbott smiles back and this time he seems nearly convinced. “No, I guess he’s not.”
That isn’t exactly what she said but she’s not going to point that out.
Then he groans but the corner of his mouth belies his real amusement. “Just wait until you meet Karli though. Out of the three of us, she can be a real piece of work.”
(sorry for my bad English and idk if i will make a part 2 but here)
"What is inside that big cauldron?" Asked Cereza, staring at the giant cauldron that was in the middle of the classroom. She couldn’t see what it was from a distance, but she could see that it had a shiny pink liquid inside.
It is Valentine's Day at Hogwarts and teachers were giving students thematic classes related to the day as a way to celebrate, but still teach their students.
Cereza is now in potions class and to everyone's surprise even Snape prepared a special class for that day. The room had a couple of ravenclaw and hufflepuff students from the fifth year who were whispering about what the potions themed class would be like.
"I don't know, I can't really see what's in the cauldron from here, but I have a feeling that we will know now." Whispered Rowan who sat next to Cereza staring at professor Snape.
As soon as Snape stopped next to the cauldron, all the students got silent, paying attention to the class.
"Today we are going to study Love Potions, brews which manufacture infatuation." With those words, some of the students, including Rowan and Penny who was also in that class, opened their eyes wide, realizing what is really inside that cauldron. "Love potions are strictly prohibited at hogwarts. Unfortunately, Valentine's Day inspires the most foolish wizards and witches to experiment with such potions ..."
The students noticed a certain irritation in Snape's voice as he talked about the use of this potion.
"Which brings me to what's in that cauldron. Amortentia." Snape then turned his gaze to the cauldron, some students tried to peek into the cauldron still sitting in their seats.
"I don't expect any of you to know, but does anyone know the exact description of the love potion?"
Penny, who is sitting close to Cereza and Rowan, is obviously the first to raise her hand and Snape looked at her direction .
"Yes, Miss Haywood?"
"Amortentia is one of the most powerful and dangerous potions in the wizarding world. As powerful as it is, it cannot create or imitate true love. The person under the effect of this potion would only create an unhealthy obsession with its provider. Amortentia also has a different smell for each person, according to what or who attracts them. " Penny replied confidently.
"5 points for Hufflepuff." Penny smiles proudly when she hears these words come out of Snape's mouth, even though he didn't seem very happy or proud of his student. Snape continued with the class.
"Amortentia is extremely powerful, dangerous and must be continuously administered in order for the effect to be maintained. And those who are conceived under the influence of amortentia are cursed with the inability to love."
Cereza then raises her hand with a confused look on her face, Snape notices the young hufflepuff raising her hand.
"Yes, Miss Gomez?"
"Professor Snape, if this potion is so dangerous, why are we going to study?" Asks Cereza.
"It is exactly because it is dangerous that you will study. So that you can study its appearance and keep it in your memory. That way, you may recognize and avoid drinking the potion if someone offers it to you." Said Snape answering Cereza's question.
Cereza lowers her hand, letting Snape continue his class. She shivers with the thought that someone might try to offer something so dangerous for her on Valentine's Day, she will certainly be more careful before drinking anything today.
"Now you can approach the cauldron, carefully." The students were nervous and some were shocked to hear Snape's request, but they all got up from their seats and walked towards the cauldron.
Upon reaching the cauldron, Cereza could see the appearance of the potion properly but she also noticed the smell. Penny said it is different from person to person so the fragrance for Cereza was ... good.
The first thing she could smell reminded her of her old home, it is the fragrance of the field that brought back memories of her childhood. The second one is strawberry, her favorite fruit. The third one...
Cereza frowns as she tries to identify it, it is not bad but is odd. It is straw, she doesn't know how she knew it, but the smell of straw it is the same one from the owlery and also from…
Cereza then realizes who this smell is from and she feels her face heat up, she shook her head trying to ignore the strong odor coming from the potion and also tries to hide her face and nose in her scarf to hide her pink cheeks. She remembers what Penny said about amortentia also being not only from things but it could be also from someone they are attracted to and Cereza knew exactly from who that scent was from.
It is from Talbott, Talbott spends a lot of time in the owlery so it's normal for him to have that smel. Talbott is the lonely Ravenclaw with whom Cereza managed to get close after he helped her not only to become an animagus but also with her self-confidence with her eyes. The two are now best friends for a year and are very close to each other but she admits that during this time she started to develop romantic feelings for Talbott, but she doesn't want to ruin this friendship by a feeling that Talbott may not reciprocate so she just ignores this feeling.
Cereza looks to her side and realized that Penny or Rowan weren't with her, but the devil himself: Talbott winger.
She realizes Talbott is staring at the cauldron lost in his thoughts, he is taking deep and slowly breaths seeming to be trying to recognize aroma like the rest of the class.
He looks really focused.
"I wonder what the amortentia smells like for him." She thought while staring at the ravenclaw that is beside her.
Cereza then notices that Talbott's expression changed to a surprised expression. The young man's eyes widened, his mouth was slightly open and it was possible to see that even his ears were so red that it looked like smoke was going to come out of it.
"Talbott?" Whispered Cereza trying to get the boy's attention.
Talbott let out a gasp in surprise when he hears Cereza's voice beside him and looks at her. Cereza smiles kindly at him but she notices that his breathing is getting faster, his hands are shaking a little and his face turned redder than before. Concerned, Cereza got a little closer to him.
"Talbott are ok-" Before she could finish her sentence, Talbott quickly backed away from her and bumps into Penny who was beside him that made her look in his direction and notice what was going on.
But before Penny could ask what was wrong, Talbott walked past the students who were around them quickly and ran out of the classroom. Not even Snape managed stop him.
"Talbott wait!" Cereza tries to go after him, but she is stopped by Snape who closed the door on her with a spell before she could leave.
"Leave it, Gomez." Snape said in his dry voice.
"But-"
"I said, leave it."
Cereza sighs in defeat. She looks at Penny, who is worried about Talbott and then at Rowan who is lost in this whole situation. She approached the cauldron again and continued in class, but she kept thinking about what just happened and is worried for her friend but she couldn't do anything about it until the class ended.
After class was over, Cereza went looking for Talbott with Penny's help, but they didn't find him. It was as if he was hiding from everyone or maybe just from Cereza. They didn’t even find him in the owlery which was very odd.
"Maybe the amortentia made him feel sick…?" Cereza thought to herself.