#curious writes

A small audible pop was heard from behind a wooden fence line, concealing the red haired man from any muggles on this particular London residential street. Percy strode out from behind it, traveling down the sidewalk heading towards the now familiar, no longer concealed, “sanctuary” as Harry had dubbed it. He walked up the worn steps, opening the front door, ignoring the obnoxious doorbell that no one bothered removing. The interior of Grimmauld place was bustling with life. He could hear a few pairs of children, giggling and laughing, as he glanced around observing the two pairs of potential parents checking in with one of the assistants. He politely greeted them as he passed, heading upstairs keeping note of the small boy peering over the banister with a mischievous smile.

Percy nearly toppled himself backwards as he reached over and grabbed the small boy before he fell over the bannister as the child had tried to drop what looked like a bright orange and purple water balloon on one of the teenagers that occupied Grimmauld Place as she passed underneath. Percy took a moment to keep his grasp on his nerves, looking up at the ceiling and taking a deep breath, still holding the boy. He gently placed the boy back on the ground and then gave a quick lesson on safety, that the boy surprisingly seemed to listen to. Percy chalk that up as him simply being scared out of his wits, as he almost dropped and got a concussion. The boy had stretched out his arms and Percy crouched to accept the hug the boy wanted. He paused there for a few brief moments, waiting on the small boy to be the one to let go first. Percy knew that some of the children needed the extra affection and had no issue waiting the extra moments, as he knew that it meant more than people realize for them.

Percy watched as the boy let go, watching him turn around after one of the other kids called after him, and rushed off to join them. Percy placed his hands on his knees and raised himself back up to his full height before turning to head towards his destination. He reached a closed wooden door and raised his hand to briefly knock on it in a solid pattern of four. He listened closely for the signal from Harry inside before he entered, closing the door behind him. The room before him stood brightly lit by the window off on the far wall, adorned with multiple bookshelves, and a centered oak desk behind which was the man in question. Harry looked to be glancing over various documents, his dark unruly hair now growing longer pulled into a ponytail. Harry pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose, the gravity causing them to slip down before he glanced up at Percy.

“You know you don’t have to knock, Percy. I knew you were coming over, you could’ve just walked in.” Harry said, leaning back in his chair, arms resting on the arms.

“I was just making sure you weren’t in the middle of something. Also I know about Ron bursting in here all the time.” Percy replied.

“Ah, yeah” Harry chuckled “He just slams the door open, announcing himself half the time if he remembers. Usually he just starts talking about whatever and getting a few sentences in before realizing I’m looking at him like he’s lost his head.”

Percy gave a small smile at the image before raising his hand in a dismissive wave. “Sorry, I guess it is just a habit. Well at least I didn’t scare you. Yet anyhow.”

“Yet.” Harry retorted, “Let me just finish this before I continue. They keep hounding me about how important and how dire it is for him to finish it in a timely manner.” Harry grinned, his voice indicating dripping sarcasm as he leaned forward, grabbing a hold of different papers on his desk to glance over. He made a noise indicating he had found what he was looking for after only a brief few moments before he made a quick signature, setting it on the growing stack of papers on the right side of his desk. Harry pushed back his chair and stood before he proceeded to start stretching, indicating how long he stayed hunched over his desk.

“You remember Logan?” Harry asks, glancing his gaze towards Percy, stretching his arm across his chest.

“One of the younger werewolves that got taken in?” Percy asked, more out of clarification that curiosity. He remembered how Logan was one of the first werewolf children that got taken into Grimmauld Place, something that caused an uproar in the wizarding community. Article after article got written regarding how “dangerous” that Potter boy was going to be around a child if he thinks a werewolf child should be allowed near others. The articles quickly stopped after the amount of people immediately jumping to his defense, especially Remus Lupin one of the awarded heroes following the end of the Second War. Harry stayed livid about the articles for a few months following that incident.

“Yes well you know the kid he always sticks around? The older kid with the scruffy blonde hair? Even though it’s clear that both of them seem to get on each other's bloody nerves?” Harry asked, with a hint of laughter in his voice.

Percy nodded, remember the child everyone had nicknamed Hunter, because they always seemed to sneak around Grimmauld Place being light as a feather on their feet. Another reason they adopted the nickname was because they enjoyed being perched on top of various furniture pieces around the house, taking to try to pop out to scare some of the adults as they passed. It worked a few times on Harry.

“She has relayed some information to me about some changes I will be making to her paperwork.” Harry said, taking in how quickly the information had crossed and processed through his mind.

“Oh, I’m happy for her.” Percy smiled but added, “Why did you feel the need to tell me privately? Surely you could’ve told me with the rest of the staff?”

Harry gave an awkward laugh before rubbing the back of his neck, not meeting Percy’s eye contact. Percy raised his eyebrow.

“Oh...uh…” Harry tried to say but eventually cleared his throat. “I don’t know how to say this without sounding....”

Percy understood. He startled Harry because he actually laughed. It was short but still caught him off guard.

“Harry, you’re fine. You want me to talk to her because I’d understand what she’d be going through to a degree and you just want her to be comfortable.” Percy helpfully filled in.

Harry let out a relieved sigh and tried to replace his awkward posture.

“I’m sorry, I just didn’t want to….” Harry trailed off again but caught himself before the awkward silence ate him alive. “Well, she’s in the library if you could go and make her feel more comfortable.”

“Of course.” Percy said, and with that took his leave.

He walked out the room taking himself up another flight of stairs, landing on the third floor. He made his way down the hallway to the cracked oak near the end of the hall. He glanced inside and saw Hunter perched on the back of the couch, reading some thick hardback book. She glanced up upon hearing the door slowly creak open, and she slid her bookmark onto the page before plopping the book down onto the cushion of the couch. Logan was engrossing himself what looked like homework his rotated tutor had probably supplied him. Logan tapped the pencil on the coffee table he sat in front of, as he had placed himself on the floor, and didn’t appear to have bothered to acknowledge Percy.

“I didn’t think we’d have you for another week or so,” Hunter said, which caused Logan to look up but only briefly to notice Percy entered the room.

“Harry asked me to stop by,” Percy began before he moved himself closer to her. "It’s come to my attention that we should reintroduce ourselves.” Percy extended his hand out towards her, gesturing for a handshake, “Percival Ignatius Weasley and you are, my dear?”

Hunter’s smile grew wider with the passing second before she extended her hand to shake his, the excitement showing in her enthusiasm. “Paige!” She exclaimed happily, and she threw her grin towards Logan who looked up towards them.

“Oh great, now she’s going to go around introducing herself to everyone in her. I’m going to end up sick of the name before she’s even had it for a month.” Logan replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice, before dogging the book Paige reached down and chucked towards him.

“Hey it’s alright.” Percy said going over and picked up the book from the floor, watching as Paige crossed her arms across her chest sticking her tongue out towards Logan who returned the same. Percy shook his head and smiled to himself. Paige stopped herself abruptly as she turned towards Percy, her head cocked to one side.

“Wait.” She said, almost a little too loudly, “Is this why Harry asked you to come here?”

Percy placed the book back onto the couch where she originally placed the book, although more carefully. He looked up at her from his slightly slouched position, before nodded and straightened himself.

“Are you like me?” She asked curiosity peaking, starting to lean forward clinging onto the back of the couch.

“Not exactly.” He said with a small chuckle.

Logan let out a laugh that actually startled Percy, almost in the same way that Percy startled Harry earlier. The pair of them both looked down at Logan at the same time, Percy with a confused expression while Paige looked annoyed. Logan had let out a harsh breathe before he settled into quieter giggles. He glanced up at both of them and grinned at Percy.

“What?” Logan asked, his eyebrow raised, his voice full of mischief “It makes a lot of sense now.” When Percy continued to look confused and Logan saw Paige roll her eyes, crossing her arms, he continued. “There’s no way your parents named you Percival Ignatius. It makes sense now knowing that you picked the name yourself”

“Ignore him!” Paige said defensively, watching as Percy shook his head. She didn’t notice that Percy was trying to repress his shaking laughter.

“I didn’t say it was a bad name!” Logan defended, tossing a crumpled up ball of paper at her that she easily dodge.

“Kids, kids, it’s alright.” Percy said, putting up both hands in a mock show to separate the two. “He’s not the first person to comment on my naming choice. My brothers got that honor. Besides my father actually wanted to use the name Percival but never got the opportunity.”

“Don’t you have like six siblings?” Logan asked, oblivious to the weight of the question.

“Five, now.” Percy corrected, and it stung a little at how common he said it was that it was starting to feel like habit to automatically correct others. He quickly caught himself before the silence became deafening so he changed the subject back. “Besides they had a long list of potential names and decided on others instead. I’m happy to have chosen a name my father liked and wanted.”

Logan took that answer and nodded, before returning to his papers lying on the table in front of him. Paige had climbed off the back edge of the sofa she had perched herself on, climbing down onto the couch cushion. She stood standing on the couch as she looked up at Percy.

“I happen to like the name, Percy.” She declared with a grin, placing her hands on her hips leaning around Percy to shoot a dirty look at Logan. Percy smiled down at her, his arms now crossed a motion he didn’t even realize he had done.

“Thank you, Paige.” He gave a nod to indicate politely for her to get off the couch, which she obeyed, before he sat down. She took the seat beside him, after he had made the gesture for her to join him. “I’m going to bring a close friend over tomorrow. She has more information for your specific situation than but we’ll both help you, along with Harry, however you need it.”

Percy didn’t see how quickly she moved, as she moved in a flash, but the next thing he knew she was hugging him. Her face buried into his traveling robes, he didn’t realize he was still wearing, as she started shaking softly as she cried. He gently rubbed her back, making soft calming noises, trying to reassure her that she’s safe and okay. She pulled back and rubbed her eyes, looking up at him, sniffling quietly.

“Thank you” She said softly, almost like a whisper that Percy struggled to hear. Percy smiled down at her and hugged her, wrapping his arms around her, giving a small kiss to the top of her head. He pulled back and rubbed the sides of her arms, watching as she beamed up at him. Realization dawned over her face and she shot up off the couch. Percy and Logan both looked startled at her abrupt movement, she rushed over to the door to the library before turning her head backward towards them both. “I’ll be back, I need to go thank Harry too!”

Percy smiled, watching her rush off out the door to go downstairs. Paige got out the door before she made a noise of surprise. The two left in the room, quickly realized Harry had been outside the door, listening as it sounded as though he almost toppled over as she rushed to hug him. Logan who had cleared his throat before glancing over at Percy, causing him to look over at the boy. He looked to be hesitant to say something and after a few moments he finally did.

“Thank you,” Logan said quietly, “...for helping Paige. She’s been scared to tell anyone.” Logan shifted uncomfortably, showing that he was unsure of how to approach this, not meeting Percy’s eyes. “I only want her to be happy and you’ve definitely helped her a lot.” Logan glanced back up at Percy, getting the courage to make eye contact, his face starting to flush.

Percy smiled, reaching over and placing a hand on his shoulder. “She’s lucky to have someone like you. You’ve helped her a lot too.” Percy told him.

Logan suppressed a smile that was threatening to spread across his face before he cleared his throat again and returned his attention back down to his papers. “You uh...You should probably go help Harry because she might not let go of him anytime soon.” Logan told him, picking up his pencil and started to tap it absentmindedly on the table.

Percy reached his hand over a gave him a small pat on his upper back, the small smile still showing on his face, probably part of the reason Logan refused to look back up, pink spreading over his cheeks as he gets flustered easily from affectionate conversations. Percy leaned back and raised himself from his seat and headed towards the door. Percy turned his head back towards Logan, trying to ignore the noises of children clambering up the stairs to jump on top of Harry, by the sounds of it.

The years following the Battle of Hogwarts were tough for everyone it affected. Harry went off with Ron and Neville to join up with Aurors to clean up the wreckage following the War. Harry was told by multiple people that he didn’t need to continue, none of the children that were involved needed to risk themselves anymore, trying to catch any of the dark wizards that managed to flee. They were determined to try and keep fighting, afraid of what would happen if they stopped. The threat from the Second Wizarding War kept looming over their heads during their school years, it was hard to be a child.

Ron Weasley was the first to drop out of the career, he reached his limit feeling himself reaching a breaking point. Hermione pointed it out to all three of the boys, concerned that they were stretching themselves too thin. What helped Ron realize he needed a break was George. Following the loss of his twin, it took George a while before he was able to get up and move himself back to the shop. Ron offered to help him shortly after George brought up trying to reopen. He didn’t want Fred’s dream to die with him. It was Fred’s dream for the joke shop just as much as George’s. Together they both were able to bring life back to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, bringing it back to it's glory days watching proudly as it filled to the brim with excited customers. Ron even dawned the tacky two piece suit, proudly displacing the bright orange and purple displaying around the shop.

Neville Longbottom took a little while to reach a tipping point. He wanted to join the Aurors to help Harry and Ron, feeling like he wanted to make his parents proud to try and follow in their footsteps. He didn’t hate being an auror, but he realized he wouldn’t be able to do it as a career because he couldn’t put his heart into it. He knew he needed a break because he felt like he wasn’t making himself proud simply by doing it because he felt like he had too. He knew his parents would want him to do whatever he loved, and knew that this wasn’t what he wanted. He started looking into alternatives before he was presented the opportunity to further his education to get trained under Professor Sprout to be the next Herbology Teacher. It felt the first time he smiled genuinely since the War ended.

Harry Potter took the longest to leave the Aurors. He kept pushing himself, afraid to stop. He felt like it was simply because he didn’t know what would happen if he did. People kept telling him he has done enough, that he doesn’t need to keep going, or that he should just rest. Harry wasn’t sure he knew how to do that anymore. He’s lost so many people in his young life, that he feels like he has to keep going or else he has failed everyone that has died. There was always that voice that he heard in the back of his head that told him that they wouldn’t want him running himself ragged or constantly pushing himself to a breaking point; that he’s done enough. It took Harry the longest until close friends and people he considered family told him it was okay. They told him that he needed a break, he needed to rest, because the boy has done enough that he doesn’t have to do anything for the rest of his life. Harry finally quit the Aurors after he realized, finally, that he didn’t have to keep fighting.

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It was by the third year following the Battle of Hogwarts that Harry had created something he was proud of. He might not have kept fighting with the aurors but he kept fighting in other ways, and this was a way that made him insanely proud. By the third year following the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry had turned 12 Grimmauld Place into a safe haven. Here wizarding children that needed a place where they could feel safe and loved was waiting with open arms. They had children that needed a safe place to stay over holidays from Hogwarts, as well as muggleborn orphans or any children whose family didn’t appreciate their child’s newfound gifts. The most controversial thing about his new sanctuary was that Harry made it point to also take in werewolves.

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Nymphadora Tonks stayed as an Auror following the Battle of Hogwarts, although far more carefully now that she had her son, Teddy. She stayed under Mad Moody, who to the shock of everyone in the Order managed to make it through the whole ordeal with only a few more scars to show for it. Tonks alongside her partner, Jamie, were tasked with training the three newest up and coming Auror recruits: Ron, Neville, and Harry. They both guided them, showing them the ropes, being excited to finally get to be in a mentor's footsteps. Tonks was one of the few people who got it into Harry's head that it was okay for him to quit being an Auror, that he's done enough for this world. She gave him the biggest hug, sweeping him off his feet and twirling him around when he thanked her on the day he resigned. The display actually got the boy to laugh by the time she put him down, and she ruffled his unruly hair before taking him by the shoulders to say how proud she was of him and how she'd definitely miss him as a protégée. She waved him off but not before shouting at him that he wasn't getting rid of his "Cool" Aunt Tonks that easily, reminding him of dinner that Friday.

Remus Lupin had survived the Second Wizarding War just as he had survived the First. He stayed behind with his wife and child when the Battle of Hogwarts raised hell over the school grounds. He felts his heart sink heavy with guilt after he heard what happened but didn't stop the selfish part of him that at least the people most important to him that he had made it through the Battle. He spent countless moments constantly telling Harry how proud he was of him, terrified to have almost lost him too and Harry cried so much that day, his eyes burned but felt the stinging all the same as he stayed holding onto him. Remus cried that day and he cried again and held Harry for what felt like hours after he was told about Grimmauld Place. Harry explained that it was to be made into a sanctuary for not only children who needed a home but a place for werewolves to go to get help. They would be given access to wolfsbane potion every month as well as directed towards a safe location for transformations. Harry may never know the pain the Remus had felt all the years living in isolation, being shunned from society but he wants to do everything in his power to ensure that no other werewolf is put through what his Uncle was.

“Harry….” Remus choked out, still holding Harry in a crushing hug, “I...I’m so proud of you. You’ve given so much for this world, and you continue to give. Your parents would be so proud of you, you know that?”

Remus pulled back from the hug to look at Harry, tears staining his face. Harry took one sleeve up to his own eyes and rubbed it lazily to rid it of the tears he didn’t even know were starting to fall. He gave a sheepish smile and hugged Remus quickly.

“I don’t want anyone to go through anything like we did.” Harry said, knowing the pain close to heart, knowing he can still brighten this world. “I know Hermione is trying all she can with her equality acts she keeps taking to the Ministry. Now that Shacklebolt is there we should be able to do loads better.”

Remus let out a soft chuckle, “I’m sure Sirius would be happy to hear that his childhood home is being used for something so important. Probably only because it would drive his Mother mad. The articles they would write....”

“It’s going to be fun trying to read through all the articles that will be written, I’m sure.” Harry grinned at the thought.

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As the months passed, he spent countless hours renovating and altering Grimmauld Place. Even with Shacklebolt as Minister of Magic, Harry still had to deal with countless inspections. He knew there was only this type of restriction because he vocally mentioned his plans to be offering help to werewolves. He knew that even though Remus Lupin was a hero following the Second War, most people only saw him as an exception. He also knew how much work the team, led by Hermione Granger, was working trying to get more recognition and change for equality. What came as a shock to some was a certain person that took to helping Harry out with Grimmauld Place. Most of the Weasleys came by to visit and help where they could, Remus & Tonks with his godson Teddy dropped by when he couldn’t visit, and his friends even dropped in for assistance. The person that few expected was Percy.

Percy Weasley had spent most of his time following the Battle of Hogwarts with his family. George had rarely let him be alone the first few months. The night following the Battle, George had snuck into Percy’s room and slept with him. George then took to shadowing his older brother for those painful few first months. Percy never complained but felt stings of guilt because he felt like he didn’t deserve it. George was actually the one that had pushed Percy to take the job offer that Shaklebolt had offered him. When the Ministry was trying to rebuild itself, all the departments had a lot to go through to try and repair the mess that was left behind. Shaklebolt had brought Percy back in to try and offer him a job back working in the Ministry. Shacklebolt had mentioned that Percy was damn good at his job. He always was. Even through all the stress the Death Eaters put the entire Ministry through, Percy always did his job damn near perfectly. There was a reason the Death Eaters never got rid of him or tried to replace him. So after reviewing the clustered mess that was the Floo Network, Percy took the job. He may have only taken this particular job because he had thought of a few solutions, but he knew he needed to do something soon before he lost his mind, and with how chaotic this was he knew he would be distracted. Percy made a vow with himself though, he never missed a family dinner, work be damned.

Percy started showing up at Grimmauld Place a lot a few months after it was officially established. Harry was surprised that he seemed to enjoy spending time around all the kids and about how easily he handled them and even started to teach them. Then again, Harry was learning, especially after the Battle of Hogwarts, there was a lot he didn’t know about Percy. Percy had a given knack for children, it’s what made it easier to wrangle all of his younger siblings when Bill or Charlie were occupied or gone. It got harder and harder to do as the years went on but he prided himself on how he was able to do it before the youngest four got to school. Before everything got worse. Percy did find it amusing that both Harry and Ron found it shocking that he was able to handle the current 5 children in Grimmauld Place with ease.

“Keep your face like that, it might get stuck.” Tonks grinned, sticking her head into the doorway, glancing over at them. The boys were standing in the sitting room that was adjacent to a playroom where Percy was. Ron had his eyebrow raised in confusion watching as Percy held up his arm, watching a toddler dangle from it like a handbag, the child giggling like mad. Harry had his arms crossed, a puzzled look painted his face as he was honestly fascinated by how easy Percy was making it look.

“I’m just wondering where all…” Ron gestured with his hands towards Percy and the small hoard of children. “This came from.”

“Well,” Tonks began, coming into the room standing next to Ron, “You have a lot of siblings. Plus I heard the stories of how he was a mother hen to the students when he was in school.”

Ron pondered the thought, recalling back to all the times Percy had dragged been overprotective (overbearing he more than often thought) during those first three years in school. He conceded and nodded, Harry giving a chuckle watching Percy starting to look a little helpless in the other room.  Tonks let out barking laughter as one of the children started climbing onto Percy’s back while another tried dragging him in another direction, causing Percy to collapse on the ground resulting in a dogpile of giggling children.

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When Harry started taking in children that were younger than schooling age, he knew he’d need to start tutoring them so they’d have some basic education before they were sent off to Hogwarts. It was safer to home school them here at Grimmauld then it would’ve been to send them off to public school. Part of Harry didn’t hate the idea of being one of the rotating teachers for the children either. It was after watching how Percy interacted with the children that he approached him. He offered him the idea of coming over to help tutor the younger children to help prepare them for school. Percy was terribly confused as to why he would’ve been propositioned such a thing.

“I mean you had top marks in school, didn’t you?” Harry asked completely casually.

“Well, yes I mean…” Percy said, taken aback. “I just don’t see why you’d be asking me?” Percy was raising his left eyebrow in confusion. This was one of the times Percy just came over, he claimed it was because he had some free time but what he didn’t say was that he had promised a few of the children that he would come back and read them a story he had told them about.

“I mean I know you’re busy with work, Shacklebolt was telling about all the good you’ve been doing in the Department of Magical Transportation. I’ve just seen how good you’ve been handling the kids. I just figured you could try being one of the rotating tutors we’re going to have for the younger ones.” Harry explained.

Percy gave it some thought. He knew he didn’t have to worry as much about his job as he used to, having been made the Head of the Department. He had made tremendous work on the chaos that got left behind after the war. He enjoyed spending time with the children, something he personally never thought he would enjoy as much as he did. He knew he didn’t hate children, it wasn’t something on the table when you had as many siblings as he did. He was close with his mother and did tend to pick up her behavior, especially for wrangling his siblings. Percy also knew all the jokes that people made about him being a Prefect in school, always fussing over the younger students and “taking his job too seriously” as certain students would claim. Percy considered the offer for only a few moments but his brain whipping through the thoughts felt like minutes ticking by. He accepted it, holding out a formal hand for Harry to take as a sign of agreement. Harry grinned and shook his hand, happy that he was on board.

------

This set both boys up on a path for future careers that they may have considered but never knew they would have. Some short years following the establishment of 12 Grimmauld Place as a sanctuary, Harry was approached by now Headmistress McGonagall for the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. She had mentioned how he always had a knack for the subject when he was a student, and Harry remembered how much he enjoyed teaching Dumbledore’s Army all those years ago. He briefly thought about the career as an option back in his Fifth Year when Ron had brought it up as an option but it quickly got drowned out by the War.

Percy took years after Harry became a Professor before he looked at that option. His children were a few years old before he announced one night at dinner. The words “I think I’d like to look into being Professor at Hogwarts” came out easier than he had expected. His spouse was fully supportive and encouraging even. No matter how long they’ve been together it still surprised him. Percy had given it careful consideration before he had landed on being the Potions Professor. It helped solidify his decision when Neville and Harry had mentioned that Slughorn was looking for an intern to mentor to replace him. Percy had recalled back to his youth in that he actually quite enjoyed Potions and counted it among on his favorite subjects. He also remembers that when he was younger he counted it as a personal victory that Severus Snape had begrudging respect for the boy, as he had managed near perfect marks in his class. Percy throughout the years was keen on making his own potions too, even offering to help where he could with the supply of Wolfsbane Potions for Harry’s sanctuary to be distributed out to safehouses. It seemed almost scarily natural once he started being mentored by Professor Slughorn and quickly picked up a rhythm that worked easily for him that flowed through the classroom.

Chester blinked heavily taking in his surroundings as he turned slowly onto his side. He was in his bedroom inside the flat he got shortly after starting his job at the Ministry. Not that he didn’t love his family but it was a breath of fresh air being able to have a space away from them at times. Besides it didn’t stop them from stopping by, especially his brother.

As his grogginess clouded his mind it took him a moment to register the throbbing pain in his head. He groaned and the knowledge that he’d been drinking last night slammed into him as hard as the pounding currently in his head. He rubbed his eyes lazily and turned to lay on his back, moaning in pain as the movement caused jarring pain further into his head. He knew he needed to get up to get a potion to cure his hangover but the thought of getting out of bed was immediately put out of his mind as he froze in fear and slight confusion.

There was someone beside him and they just shifted.

Chester had no idea whether or not there were currently facing him or if they were even awake. He didn’t even want to humor a guess as to who would be unfortunate enough to have ended up in his bed to begin with. Actually now that Chester laid in his fear stricken state a thought flashed over his mind; he didn’t even remember what the hell had happened last night. The only reason he knew he was drinking was because of the unfortunately familiar headache.

Chester didn’t get drunk a lot and drinking certainly wasn’t his hobby; he just enjoyed relaxation after his stressful days at work. He is only familiar with it because of the rare few times he’s ended up comatose in his living room after trying a new liquor the shop owner insisted would be a good fit for him. Good telltale sign he was hungover was due to the distinct type of headache.

Now back to Chester’s current problem. He pieced together part of last night's activities but the person lying next to him and the fact that he actually made it his bedroom worried him. It only worried him because he may not even know who is lying next to him. Worse he may actually know who is lying next to him. He didn’t think he would handle how exhaustingly awkward that would make anything, especially if they were from work. He took a deep breath before closing his eyes, dragging his hands down his face trying to collect himself.

The brown haired woman lying next to him had turned towards him and fluttered her eyes open, before squinting at the bright morning light shining in from the window positioned across from them. She yawned before looking up at him, smiling before it dropped quickly as though she realized who she was looking at. She sat up with a start as though she’d awoken from a nightmare. She looked down before realizing she needed to pull the sheet on his bed to cover her apparent bare chest. She protectively crossed her arms over her chest and her spine was as stiff as a board. 

 Her sudden start up from the bed, caused Chester to make a noise of surprise before sitting up himself. He scooted himself back towards the headboard before taking a glance towards her. He noticed her bare back and as realization hit him that she wasn’t really wearing anything, a blush crawled up his neck. As the flush reached his cheeks, he began to study just how very very interesting his ceiling is right now.

The woman glanced back at him and quickly turned back before burying her head in her hands. She made a low small whine and proceeded to whisper You’re so stupid! and What were you thinking?!. Even though it was a whisper, he recognized the voice immediately and he wanted nothing more than for his side of the bed to swallow him whole in an endless black void. Anything was better than the realization that yes, he did know his mystery bed partner. The infamous Roisin Vanderan: Curse-Breaker of Hogwarts, fellow Ministry co-worker, fellow peer of Hogwarts, and a woman 4 years his junior.

Her whispering comments berating herself did hurt his self esteem to say the least but he has no room to talk for the comments flooding his head questioning his sanity. He glanced back from his ceiling towards her to see if she had moved. He was so lost in his head for a moment there he wouldn’t have been surprised if she left and he didn’t notice. She was still very much there and very much naked. Not that he was looking. Well he wasn’t trying to but as she stretched, heaving a heavy sign he noticed she was very much not wearing anything at all it appeared. He tore his eyes away and cleared his throat. He did not need to be focusing on that, as he certainly had a handful of problems already and he didn't want to add that type of problem to the list too.

His personal distraction method caused her attention to be caught as she slowly turned her head towards him. She gave a sheepish smile and flipped her hair out of way as the action had caused a loose strand to fall over her eye. He had to stop himself from reaching out to do that for her, and mentally cursed himself for even considering to. You already don’t remember sleeping with her and you want to move bases already?! He thought to himself and all he could do was return her smile with a smaller and weaker one.

“I, um…” She started, glancing around the room before swallowing hard and glancing back to look at his dark eyes. “This is going to come out bad, but I’m going to make an assumption that you don’t remember what happened?”

He blinked at the question a few times before letting out a short awkward laugh. “I take it you don’t either based on the way you woke up.”

She gave an awkward smile again before she said, “I actually kind of do. I just briefly uh forgot?” She let out a small laugh as she saw the brief fear that flashed over his face. She knew he didn’t remember a thing and was worried about what was happening currently.

“Oh.”

It was all he could bring himself to say. He could at least take it as a good thing that she hasn’t run out yet. That or she wanted to give him more humiliation. He didn’t know which was worse right now but the idea that the bed could swallow him whole was sounding like a good idea again. She turned her body towards him and shifted the cover to keep her covered, something Chester really wished he would stop paying attention too. She stifled a giggle and placed her hand on his leg.

“I came over last night because you wanted me to check something out you had for your cat.” She said simply, and she bit the inside of her cheek trying to stop her laughter from spilling out as she watched the puzzled look fill his face.

“My cat? The evil bastard that’s probably wrecked my entire living room overnight?” He asked, staring at her in disbelief.

Chester knew that he always complained about his cat, always calling it all kinds of things but he loved it more than his brother sometimes. Well he would never say that but he certainly bought his cat more gifts during Yuletide. Hell his cat wasn’t even fed a simple dry kibble, the man had refused and made sure his bastard of a cat was given food that honestly seemed better than anything he ate. The idea that somehow his cat had managed to provide a situation that allowed for well, its owner to get laid, was an idea that Chester couldn’t process. Magic existing? Yes. Magical creatures of varying origins? Of course. His cat being apparently a wingman? No, not possible.

She studied him for a moment before shaking her head and letting the laugher fall out. He glared at her and crossed his arms. He didn’t find how she could possibly find any of this humorous and she laughed harder when she saw him pouting.

“You…” She began trying to stop herself from laughing. She cleared her throat before continuing, “You had a little to drink before I came over but started drinking more after you cried after your cat had a hairball.”

“It’s very unsettling!” He quickly defended and looked away from her, continuing his toddler like pout.

It was a very strange situation sitting in front of him currently. His evil bastard had managed to make him so emotionally stressed that he started drinking himself out of one embarrassment into another. He had no clue what to do and felt way too awkward to even consider how to proceed. He’s had partners before but usually it just ended in simple breakups because there was a relationship to begin with. This wasn’t something he knew how to handle.

“It’s only awkward if you let it be awkward.” Roisin said, giving his leg a reassuring squeeze. “If you don’t want anything, nothing has to happen.”

He took a big gulp and looked up at the very interesting ceiling again. He felt almost guilty for not wanting anything more. Well correction: a relationship. He had no problem doing that again. Maybe only because he’d be able to remember it this time. That sounded bad. He took a deep breath as he closed his eyes. Bless her for being so patient.

He considered through his head the possibility of a relationship but he just never considered her that way. Considered her other ways. No, stop that isn’t right. Roisin has been a very good friend to him even if they only really became friends after she started working in the Ministry herself. She took her time after school being a professional Curse-Breaker but decided against it for government work? He wasn’t quite sure how she wanted to throw away such an exciting career for paperwork but she never expanded so he never pressed the matter. She was a great friend. Friend. Hell he looked at her more as a sister than a potential partner. Which made the current situation worse. Again.

He looked back down at her and with a sheepish smile said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for dragging you over here and um…” He gestured to the both of them, hoping it conveyed the situation.

“It’s fine.” She said sweetly and smiled brightly at him. It was very comforting that she made this so easy. “This happens sometimes when people hang around and drink. At least it means we’re comfortable with each other right?”

It briefly crossed his mind that she made it so easy as though this was common for her. He tried pushing that thought out of his head as he didn’t want to think badly of her but ever so briefly remembered the rumors that followed her. He watched something flicker across her eyes but it vanished so quickly he already almost forgot it happened. He cleared his throat and made to get out of bed. He had intended to go try and get that pain potion for his hangover and maybe take a shower. Actually probably should ask if she’d like to take one herself. He got across the room towards his bathroom door before he realized that he still very much had his pants on from yesterday.

He stopped in his tracks and looked down. Sure enough, he still had them on. He looked back up at his bathroom door and back down again at his pants. Up. Down. Up. Down. He winced at the pain that it had caused in his head doing that and mentally cursed himself. He felt like he should apologize to her. He was so out of it he passed out and couldn’t remember a thing that happened. Yet his pants were still on. One of two things ran as a solution in his head; One: It didn’t get far enough that I took off my pants which meant that nothing really happened. Or two: It wasn’t that good and I had the energy to put the pants back on.

It took until he heard her laughing behind him that he realized he didn’t actually think any of that in his head and he actually was saying that out loud. The red that flushed his face and neck made the stuttering of his apology almost innocent sounding. He chuckled nervously and quickly grabbed clothes and then he ran into his bathroom. A cold shower and a hangover potion sounded great right now, anything to get him out of the other room.

-------------------

After his shower he muttered something akin to making breakfast and shuffled out of the room leaving her to take her own shower. She came out relatively quickly, definitely shorter than his self-hatred filled shower was. She had managed to do all sorts of charm work to her clothes from the previous day that it looked as though she just arrived in his flat. Her long hair was put in a high ponytail and she even managed cosmetic charms. It was apparent she definitely looked more put together than he did. He just put on the first shirt and pants he found in his closet, wanting more than anything not to think about anything, let alone his clothing choices.

He reached out and offered her some tea, which she graciously accepted with a soft smile. Chester leaned against his counter and took a long sip, his cat strutting his betrayal of a behind up to him and purring for attention, clearly grateful of the luxury of a meal he was fed and ignoring the living room he very much destroyed. He placed his cup on the counter and leaned down, scooping his cat up and snuggling against it. Roisin smiled, she was one of the few people who knew he babies his cat like a child. What Rosin didn’t know was that while she was taking a shower, Chester was busy screaming at the cat who had gotten themselves stuck to the top of the living room curtains. He had taken 3 minutes trying to detach the claws one by one while the cat yodelled its meow in protest. I KNOW!  He yelled back YOU’RE NOT EXACTLY HELPING ME HERE! And at some point yelled YOU DID THIS TO YOURSELF YOU HEATHEN, I’M JUST TRYING TO BE A GOOD DAD AND HELP YOU!!! Which was followed by screaming as the curtain rod fell off the window frame.

Roisin watched Chester swaddle his furry son and giggled as he reached over and placed a tiny crocheted hat onto the cat’s head. It was comical watching the cat calmly allow it to happen, as though it was completely normal. Chester held up the cat in triumph to show Roisin what he considered to be his masterpiece. She clapped as she always did in appreciation and he grinned back, placing his cat onto the floor. He was already forgetting what he was embarrassed for earlier.

Knock Knock

They both glanced over to the front door to the flat. Chester glanced up at time and saw it was 10:30am. He knew it was Sunday, his day off so he didn’t panic at possibly being late for work. No, instead he panicked because it was Sunday! His brother always came over so they could go to the Cinema on Sunday! He quickly rushed over to the door and glanced out the peephole and saw his younger brother, impatiently waiting on the other side. Chester turned back around and pressed his back against the door looking over at his current company.

“Roger?” She mouthed towards him, questioning the identity of the person at the door.

He frantically nodded and the knocking on the door persisted even more impatiently. Chester closed his eyes and dreaded the idea of his brother being here right now, because he knew that even if he lied and said she just came over a few minutes before him, Roger wouldn’t buy it. Hell even if that was the honest truth, Roger would make the assumption anyways just to tease his brother.

Knock Knock

“OPEN THE DOOR!” Roger yelled, clearly aggravated having to wait on the other side knowing damn well his brother can hear him.

Chester quickly whipped the door open and grinned, what he hoped was casually, at his younger sibling. Roger raised an eyebrow at him and pushed past him, rolling his eyes.

“What took you so long, you’re usually well up by no-” Roger stopped himself when his eyes landed on Roisin standing in the kitchen.

She heard him coming in and looked over from her spot, petting the cat on the counter. She grinned at him and waved.

“Good to see you, Roger.” She said as she came over and gave him a quick hug. Roger spent the entire time looking over at his brother in confusion. He managed to mutter a quick hello before she let him go.

“Roisin here was just….uh leaving right?” Chester said, not at all subtlety, as he glanced from his brother to her.

“Oh yeah of course,” She said, getting her belongings she had accio-ed while Chester was busy at the door with his brother. “Thank you again, Chester, for having me over to help give advice on that project. Plus you know I adore this little one.” She gave the cat a quick pat before looking back at them.  

He nodded, trying to look like a grateful friend and not a man who clearly had no idea what she was indicating too. Chester knew his little brother well and knew that he wasn’t buying any of this for a second but he can hope. Roisin walked over and gave him a quick hug as well and walked towards the front door. She could hear harsh whispers from Roger behind her in his brother’s ear.

As she left before closing the front door behind her she called, turning to look at them both again, “Chester?”

He shushed his brother’s insistent question to answer back, “Yes?”

“Let me know if you ever need anymore help, I’m always happy to help in any way I can.” She said to him, giving a wink before closing his front door.

Scott has been awkwardly hovering over Hope for almost ten minutes now, with a white-knuckle grip on the headboard that shows no sign of weakening. 

“Hey, what’s the hold up?” Hope teases as she playfully kneads Scott’s ass cheeks in her palms.

Scott looks down at her, chin pressing into his neck. 

“A-are you sure about this?” He asks as if Hope is the one showing hesitation. “Wh-what if I suffocate you?”

“That’s what I’m counting on” Hope smirks. “I’m kidding!” She quickly affirms when Scott jolts like he’s going to get off her. 

She brackets his trembling thighs in her hands to steady him, but it does little to steady his nerves too. 

“I-I just...th-this is a bad idea” Scott decides as he shuffles off Hope and ends up laid back in bed beside her.

Hope gives him a sympathetic smile, knowing something deeper is bothering her sweet sensitive husband - more than merely making a fool of himself in bed. 

“Tell me what’s going on, love bug” Hope urges as she affectionately scratches the hair on Scott’s chest.

“I-I just think I’m too heavy for... y-ya know” He claims, tugging at the sheets self-consciously to cover himself as he mentions it. “Since I retired from the Avengers I’ve put on a load of weight; you must have noticed?” 

“Of course I have” Hope replies as she moves her palm down to massage his softened belly. “Knowing your body is my pleasure, sweetheart; and this extra weight is certainly not a bad thing. More for me to love.”

She pushes the sheets back down and presses her lips just above Scott’s naval. She starts a path of kisses down his happy trial which almost has the older man giggling from the tickle. 

“I-it really doesn’t worry you?” Scott asks. 

“Of course it doesn’t” Hope stresses as she moves back up to cup Scott’s face in her palm. As long as you’re happy and healthy that’s all that matters to me.”

Despite his concerns, Scott manages a smile - how can he not when the woman he loves is expressing her love for him in return. 

“Thanks, honey” he says before they share a kiss on the lips. 

It’ll take some time for him to overcome his insecurities but knowing Hope will help him to do so doesn’t make them seem as daunting. 

“You wanna try again?” Hope asks, not wanting to pressure her husband, but also not wanting him to deny himself pleasure for unfounded fears.

Scott’s cheek flush pink, but he nods his head bashfully. 

“C’mon then, baby” Hope encourages with a grin. “Take a seat.”

Scott chuckles as he repositions himself above Hope, gripping the headboard for support.

Hope sees his thighs trembling with nerves, so she takes a moment to kiss some of the stretch marks which now litter them, and it seems to put Scott more at ease.

“I’ve got you, sweetheart” Hope says as she takes hold of his hips.

Scott allows her to lower him down, and as soon as Hope spreads his cheeks apart and her tongue enters him, all of his inhibitions ebb away. 

“Ooh, Hope~” Scott croons as he throws his head back, rattling the headboard as he does so.

Hope just grins to herself as she continues her crusade on her husband’s greedy hole.

As Scott’s hips start to gyrate, he lets out a continuous string of moans and whimpers. 

At one-point Hope plunges her tongue in so deep Scott almost loses his balance, eliciting a guttural groan from the older man.

He feels his orgasm building, his cock now practically taut against his belly and leaking with pre-cum. 

As Hope un-gratuitously eats her husband’s ass she’s happy to experience Scott as his more usual carefree self, watching as he starts to stroke himself in order to aid his climax. 

And as Scott finally cries out her name and releases his seed all over himself, Hope makes sure to keep a firm grip on the extra meat of his thighs, so he doesn’t completely collapse on her head.

“What were you worrying about again?” Hope teases as Scott rolls off her and thuds onto the mattress panting for air.

As of late, Carol and her Queen have been like two ships passing in the night. Valkyrie has been getting her court in order as she begins her reign over Asgard while Carol was being called to constant missions in space. 

Therefore, when the stars align, they do not take their precious time for granted; their intimacy is very intense as their desperation to touch each other in their elongated separation comes to a head. 

Valkyrie groans and grips tightly to the back of Carol’s head as the space soldier sucks and nips her way down her lover’s neck - the kind of passionate kissing that will leave evidence in the morning. 

“B-be careful” Valkyrie pleads. “I have a meeting with the elders tomorrow and I do not need them asking questions.” 

Carol pulls back with a disproving tut. “Who cares what those fossils think? If I wanna kiss my girlfriend, then I’m gonna kiss her good.”

She tries to go back to her crusade on Valkyrie’s neck, but the queen places a hand on the blonde’s shoulder to stop her.

“I care what they think” Valkyrie says with a sigh. “It’s been a long time since a woman has ruled over Asgard - well, one who wasn’t insane - and I need them to respect me.”

Carol pouts disapprovingly as she sits back on her haunches; Valkyrie can’t help but chuckle. 

“They wouldn’t dare try to dethrone you for having a few hickies” the blond argues. “I won’t let them. Thor certainly won’t let it.”

“I do not need you or Thor to fight my battles for me” Valkyrie replies.

Carol reaches out and starts to card her hand through Valkyrie’s dark ringlets.

“I know, I didn’t mean it like that. You’re a powerful warrior queen, and I know if anyone dared to dispute that you’d tear ‘em a new one.” 

Valkyrie almost finds herself blushing, which for her is no easy feat; only around Carol does she allow herself to be vulnerable and fear no judgement.

“To hell with them then” the queen declares as pulls Carol down towards her again. “They’re not going to ruin this for us, and what happens in my chambers is none of their goddamn business.” 

“That’s my girl” Carol smirks. “God, I love it when you get tough” she growls through gritted teeth. 

“And now it’s time to get rough” Valkyrie states; she pushes Carol’s head down and the blond starts biting at her neck once more.

 ——————————

The following morning, Valkyrie sits at her dresser observing the hickies littering her collarbone and neck.

Carol appears out of the en-suite and places her hands on the queen’s shoulders, massaging them gently.

“My bad” the soldier says with a teasing smirk. 

Valkyrie isn’t mad though. She smiles back at her girlfriend as she starts to braid her hair to the side to cover the bruises as best she can. 

“There was nothing bad about it, my love.”

Carol laughs and kisses the top of Valkyrie’s head. 

“So, you’re not worried about the elders catching on?”

“They’re too prudish to say anything” Valkyrie replies. “And I can handle myself.”

“Why of course, my queen” Carol says as she takes Valkyrie’s hand and bows.

The Asgardian rolls her eyes affectionately. “Will you be staying tonight?” 

“If you want me to” Carol replies with a coy smile.

“Well, I’m not going to beg-” Valkyrie teases as she turns to leave, but she laughs when Carol catches her by the waist and pulls -her back into a hug.

“I’ll be here” the soldier replies.

“Good” Valkyrie replies. She trails her lips across Carol’s shoulder, down to her collarbone. “Perhaps tonight I’ll return the favour” she says with a tentative nibble. 

Carol lets her head roll back as she revels in Valkyrie’s kisses. 

Thor and Valkyrie manage to slip away from the party just before the drunken singing starts. 

Usually Thor wouldn’t hesitate to join in with great gusto, but tonight he has stuffed himself silly with the delicious banquet dinner. 

The bed-frame groans when Thor throws himself down onto the mattress, and the thunder god lets out a sigh of relief as he finally lets his belly surge over the top of his pants.

“Let me help you, my love” Valkyrie chuckles as she crawls up beside him and starts to undo Thor’s belt buckle.

“Thank you, my queen” Thor grins.

Valkyrie doesn’t hesitate to start rubbing her hands all over her husband’s protruding belly. Thor almost starts to purr from the soothing sensation, but Valkyrie isn’t as satisfied just yet.

“You know, I think I’m in the mood for a little dessert” she announces. She saunters over to the dresser where she had placed a brown paper bag. “I snook us out a lil’ cheesecake.”

“Ooh, not for my, my love” Thor huffs as he pats his own tummy. “I couldn’t eat another bite.” 

Valkyrie tilts her head with a playful smirk. 

“Oh I don’t believe that for a second” she teases.

“Well I... I do not want to compare myself to a pig” Thor blushes. 

“You are no such thing, my love” Valkyrie asserts. “You have earned the right to indulge. But if you really don’t want any, I suppose I can find another use for this whipped cream” she says as she pulls out the can.

Thor glances over at her curiously, chin creasing into his neck. 

Valkyrie traipses toward him with an unusually mischievous smirk as she shakes the can of cream.

Thor watches, trying not to get too excited in case his wife only means to tease him, but his prayers are answered when Valkyrie starts to squirt the cream all over his bare belly.

Thor let’s out an indignant squeak - the cream is surprisingly cold - but it soon turns into a guttural groan as Valkyrie starts swirling her tongue around on his stomach.

“Mmm, you truly are the sweetest, my love” She announces, taking in Thor’s flush cheeks as he smiles at her shyly.

“I-I’m glad that you can still find ways to enjoy my physique” Thor says. “Even though now... n- now it looks like this.” He accentuates his point by pinching his flabby sides.

Valkyrie takes his hands and holds them down on the mattress so that she can have free reign of her husband’s tummy.

“You are as handsome as ever, my king” she proclaims. She presses her lips back to his stomach and licks up some more of the cream. “And you taste just as good” she adds with a smirk. 

Thor’s cheeks burn from pink to red, and it is getting harder to ignore the growing tightness of his underwear.