#pherika

Okay so first, I played it safe with HPHM, putting them with canon characters.

David and Merula, I honestly loved the foil that MC and Merula are for each other in the main story of HPHM. However, it could have done with a lot more fleshing out, which is really what I wanted to do in creating their relationship.

Whether they're enemies or just rivals to lovers is up for debate but regardless I liked their at first very contentious relationship gradually developing into an admission of respect. It culminated in the two catching feelings for each other, Merula defending him and eventually the two dating. The rest as they say, is history.

Amelia and Chiara, now I tend to flip flop on this as I really do like the thought of Amelia travelling the world, taking down creature poaching operations and breaking hearts. On the other, I do like Amelia and Chiara meeting up again later in life and kindling an unspoken love for each other.

Phoenix and Erika, these two are the loosest as I haven't had much time to develop them. But, I like the thought of them being rivals to lovers, Phoenix being one of the few able to truly get under Erika's skin.

For everyone else, it's a little different, with a lack of knowledge or interest in the canon of HPHL and HPMA, I started going with OC x OC ships instead. I’m a great fan of the idea that shipping can be used to really help grow and develop both halves of the ship. So I cast my line into the great sea of OCs and see who bit first. Thus, I wound up with Leila, Gareth, Lydia (@rogueharrington), Asher  (@cursebreakerfarrier) and Hazel (@kc-and-co). Also, Valentina  (@camillejeaneshphm)

I love Reubeila being able to find a loving family in each other after experiencing a horrible home life. I love Clareth’s will they/won’t they yet there’s still a fierce sort of loyalty between them. I love Marilyd’s friendly rivalry that developed into friendship and then one of the most amazing romances. I love Asher and Robin’s angsty side that let Robin show a bit of softness in contrast to the loud, brash, goofy girl that she usually is. I love Nick and Hazel, I feel like it would make Nick more confident, and I adore the support they would have for the other’s ambitions. Luis, my Marauder’s era boy and his tragic romance with Valentina is also one of my favourites for the fact that they knew they loved each other but never quite got there.