MOVED

Stole it from @willowguarded

DANDELION

Scrappy and tough, you’re a pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps kind of person. You don’t give up easily and you often thrive in situations that others would find discouraging. You have an instinct to serve others and see yourself as most useful in times or places of crisis, but you may over rely on your toughness and forget how sensitive you really are.

FENNEL

You’re quiet, sometimes shy, with a tendency to be reserved. You have a humble, kind nature and often find yourself taking care of others. You can be known to hold things in, and you don’t always speak up for yourself. This tendency to hold things in can lead to disturbances.

PEPPERMINT

Unflappable. You are cool in the crisis, calm in the storm, collected amongst the chaos. You’re a breath of fresh air, a waft of inspiration to the down-and-out, a refreshing, inspiring, uplifting person to be around. Of course, even a cool cucumber like yourself can run into trouble. You may try to take on too much, which can leave you feeling weighed down and not quite yourself.

@livinghorcrux | plotted

This was possibly the strangest thing that had happened yet. Two years after settling into the Auror’s offices at the Ministry, two years after making it further than anyone thought he would ( and further than anyone wanted him to ), Draco was being paired with another new partner- and this time, it seemed his superiors had made the choice with the simple hope that it would stick- and Draco didn’t know what to make of it. 

He’d been informed that his partnership with the Boy Who Lived was on a trial basis- and not-so-subtly informed that any funny business would see his job gone fasted than he could say ‘niffler’. Draco had no intention on any funny business, but he did hope this meant he would see real field work, rather than continuing to handle cases like Mrs. Castworn’s missing cats ( who were actually generally just under her porch ) and Mister Fallsworth’s noise complaints about the family of five next door. He doubted they’d have the saviour of the wizarding world doing such menial cases. 

Still, more worrisome than what sort of cases they’d be working on, and any potential consequences should Potter decide he didn’t like working with Draco, was what the bloody hell to say to the man after almost nine years. They hadn’t spoken after the trial, and Potter had all but disappeared in the years after. It wasn’t like a generic ‘it’s a pleasure to meet you’ would do. It didn’t help that Draco was hardly the boy he’d been in school, and Harry most certainly wasn’t either- the confident, assured man in front of him, looking ready to take down another Dark Lord without breaking a sweat this time, was the furthest thing possible from the scrawny thing he’d been in school.

And the blasted man was several inches taller than him, Draco noticed.

In the end, he stuck his hand out, memories rising unbidden of the day they’d met on the train. “Potter,” he said, stiffly, tone formal for lack of knowledge of any other way to handle this. 

Leaving England had perhaps been the best thing Harry ever could have done for himself. His years in the mainland had broadened his understanding not only of magic and its history, but of his own experiences and traumas. He ended up spending a few years working with a therapist in Norway who specialized in aiding Muggleborns and Squibs. 

Although Harry didn’t technically fit into either category, the sensation of otherness and not really belonging to either the magical or the mundane community applied well enough that the woman had been kind enough to accept him. She helped him go over a lot of things - and he’d learned more about himself than he ever thought possible. Some of it was pretty messed up - but some of it, well. Some of it was alright - and he was at a point where he was alight with the messed up parts and happy enough with the alright ones that it felt right to come back, in the end.

He had not thought he would ever reach a point where he would want to come back here - but now, he felt like he had what it took to not only face it, but make the changes he wanted to see, felt were necessary, and above all else - knew from his travels were possible if introduced in the right way. He had died for this community - so, he should be able to make it one worth living in.

It helped that Kingsley was Minister for Magic now. The man had spent years alongside the Muggle prime minister, and was a good deal more aware of civil rights than many - he was working hard to make positive changes from within the government itself and, despite people clamoring for him to name Harry an auror, he had insisted that Harry undergo the same psychological evaluations and tests as anyone else when he transferred in from the office in Sweden. 

In truth, the sheer lack of special treatment the Minister afforded him made Harry absolutely adore the man - he liked the challenge of working to prove himself and not having things handed to him just because he was the Boy Who Kept On Living. He had a good track record as a junior in Sweden, but he still hadn’t passed his senior levels and had a good year or two before he was even due to take the exams. 

Considering his track record in Scotland during the Battle of Hogwarts and in light of his position as the man who defeated Voldemort, he was offered the opportunity to take those exams early - but Harry had learned he had some authority issues he still needed to work out, so he thought it wise to refuse the offer and work his way to a senior position naturally. The last thing they needed was him in a position of power once the inevitable frustrations started rising. Not that he mentioned that to Kingsley, of course, but it seemed his caution was respected all the same, and that was good enough for Harry.

What he had not anticipated was the Minister’s willingness to manipulate his position as a famous Dark Wizard slayer with consent. Harry had been fully prepared to be wielded and manipulated - but Kingsley had been pretty up front with his plans and that alone was enough to get Harry to agree without any hesitation. The fact the plan was progressive and ingenious helped, but being involved in the process really did warm Harry to Kingsley as a whole.

While there was some dissent over his partner, Harry was thrilled. The idea of working with Draco was exhilarating for a lot of reasons, not the least of which being that he was insatiably curious about the man’s chosen career path and clear dedication to it despite the mountains of setbacks and roadblocks that had been set up for him. ( The fact that Kingsley was going to test what might happen if Harry was in place to push against those setbacks was just a bonus, really. ) 

Of course, Harry wasn’t so optimistic as to think Draco would be all that happy about the arrangement. While he did believe they would be able to work together given they were adults and surely well past foolish childhood rivalries ( or so he hoped. If this turned out to be anything like Sirius and Snape he might have to abscond right on back to Sweden… ) he also acknowledged the chances were pretty high this would be a rocky start, at least until they established something of a comfort level with one another.

@livinghorcrux | plotted

This was possibly the strangest thing that had happened yet. Two years after settling into the Auror’s offices at the Ministry, two years after making it further than anyone thought he would ( and further than anyone wanted him to ), Draco was being paired with another new partner- and this time, it seemed his superiors had made the choice with the simple hope that it would stick- and Draco didn’t know what to make of it. 

He’d been informed that his partnership with the Boy Who Lived was on a trial basis- and not-so-subtly informed that any funny business would see his job gone fasted than he could say ‘niffler’. Draco had no intention on any funny business, but he did hope this meant he would see real field work, rather than continuing to handle cases like Mrs. Castworn’s missing cats ( who were actually generally just under her porch ) and Mister Fallsworth’s noise complaints about the family of five next door. He doubted they’d have the saviour of the wizarding world doing such menial cases. 

Still, more worrisome than what sort of cases they’d be working on, and any potential consequences should Potter decide he didn’t like working with Draco, was what the bloody hell to say to the man after almost nine years. They hadn’t spoken after the trial, and Potter had all but disappeared in the years after. It wasn’t like a generic ‘it’s a pleasure to meet you’ would do. It didn’t help that Draco was hardly the boy he’d been in school, and Harry most certainly wasn’t either- the confident, assured man in front of him, looking ready to take down another Dark Lord without breaking a sweat this time, was the furthest thing possible from the scrawny thing he’d been in school.

And the blasted man was several inches taller than him, Draco noticed.

In the end, he stuck his hand out, memories rising unbidden of the day they’d met on the train. “Potter,” he said, stiffly, tone formal for lack of knowledge of any other way to handle this. 

Leaving England had perhaps been the best thing Harry ever could have done for himself. His years in the mainland had broadened his understanding not only of magic and its history, but of his own experiences and traumas. He ended up spending a few years working with a therapist in Norway who specialized in aiding Muggleborns and Squibs. 

Although Harry didn’t technically fit into either category, the sensation of otherness and not really belonging to either the magical or the mundane community applied well enough that the woman had been kind enough to accept him. She helped him go over a lot of things - and he’d learned more about himself than he ever thought possible. Some of it was pretty messed up - but some of it, well. Some of it was alright - and he was at a point where he was alight with the messed up parts and happy enough with the alright ones that it felt right to come back, in the end.

He had not thought he would ever reach a point where he would want to come back here - but now, he felt like he had what it took to not only face it, but make the changes he wanted to see, felt were necessary, and above all else - knew from his travels were possible if introduced in the right way. He had died for this community - so, he should be able to make it one worth living in.

It helped that Kingsley was Minister for Magic now. The man had spent years alongside the Muggle prime minister, and was a good deal more aware of civil rights than many - he was working hard to make positive changes from within the government itself and, despite people clamoring for him to name Harry an auror, he had insisted that Harry undergo the same psychological evaluations and tests as anyone else when he transferred in from the office in Sweden. 

In truth, the sheer lack of special treatment the Minister afforded him made Harry absolutely adore the man - he liked the challenge of working to prove himself and not having things handed to him just because he was the Boy Who Kept On Living. He had a good track record as a junior in Sweden, but he still hadn’t passed his senior levels and had a good year or two before he was even due to take the exams. 

Considering his track record in Scotland during the Battle of Hogwarts and in light of his position as the man who defeated Voldemort, he was offered the opportunity to take those exams early - but Harry had learned he had some authority issues he still needed to work out, so he thought it wise to refuse the offer and work his way to a senior position naturally. The last thing they needed was him in a position of power once the inevitable frustrations started rising. Not that he mentioned that to Kingsley, of course, but it seemed his caution was respected all the same, and that was good enough for Harry.

What he had not anticipated was the Minister’s willingness to manipulate his position as a famous Dark Wizard slayer with consent. Harry had been fully prepared to be wielded and manipulated - but Kingsley had been pretty up front with his plans and that alone was enough to get Harry to agree without any hesitation. The fact the plan was progressive and ingenious helped, but being involved in the process really did warm Harry to Kingsley as a whole.

While there was some dissent over his partner, Harry was thrilled. The idea of working with Draco was exhilarating for a lot of reasons, not the least of which being that he was insatiably curious about the man’s chosen career path and clear dedication to it despite the mountains of setbacks and roadblocks that had been set up for him. ( The fact that Kingsley was going to test what might happen if Harry was in place to push against those setbacks was just a bonus, really. ) 

Of course, Harry wasn’t so optimistic as to think Draco would be all that happy about the arrangement. While he did believe they would be able to work together given they were adults and surely well past foolish childhood rivalries ( or so he hoped. If this turned out to be anything like Sirius and Snape he might have to abscond right on back to Sweden… ) he also acknowledged the chances were pretty high this would be a rocky start, at least until they established something of a comfort level with one another.

This doesn’t comply with the books, I realize, but it doesn’t exactly not comply either.

Why would Malfoy rip a page out of a random book? If he wanted the book, he could have just bought the book himself. He’s not poor, his family doesn’t discourage learning. He chooses to rip a particular page with a pointed glance out of a book. Why?

Think of what this and Dobby’s actions of warning have in common: Lucius Malfoy. The one who was apparently talking freely of the dangers that would face the Muggle borns this year. I think Draco knew more about what was going on, or at least figured more out, than he let on to his friends. Why? He was worried.

How does this connect to the ripped paper? How did Harry and Ron find out about the basilisk? How did Hermione?

A ripped piece of paper on basilisks.

Now we’re to assume that Hermione found this in a library book and promptly ripped it out to take with her.

But why would Hermione, with her love and care for books almost on par with the librarian, rip a page out of a book she could have just checked out? My guess is she didn’t find it in the library.

My guess is Draco somehow slipped her the piece of paper that he ripped out of a book before school started, detailing the monster he knew was in the Chamber.

{ God Of War Starters | Accepting }

Harry was solemn as he gazed at the castle before him - as much due to a similar train of thought as the reason his presence was required at all. “It’s interesting,” He mused, having learned that being open could sometimes prompt Draco to talk about himself a little, and build a much needed rapport better, “There was a time when Hogwarts was the most magical place in the world to me, and I never wanted to leave. Now - I just want to get this over with so that we can put our backs to it as quickly as possible.”

He had known, of course, that by accepting a position in the UK the chances of being summoned to Scotland on account of a situation in Hogsmeade or ( worse and, precisely the present case ) Hogwarts itself was quite a likely scenario. That didn’t mean he had to like it, however. 

“Let’s try and pretend we’re professionals who don’t hate this place, yeah?” He suggested, smiling grimly as he motioned for Draco to take the lead. 

R U N

Macbeth:

the howl of wolves. moonless nights. dirt under fingernails. stained silk. chattering teeth. voices hoarse and cracked. rotting fruit. echoing drums. dry heaving. hanging cobwebs. stifling humidity. bloodshot eyes. the roughness of rusted steel. wild rosebushes. muscle cramps. the sound of splintering wood.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream:

crackling fires. ivy crawling on stone. the faint music of running water. petrichor. dirty, bare feet. tattered clothing. thistledown. wilted wildflower crowns. late evening birdsong. curling leaves. a symphony of croaking frogs. drifting feathers. the eerie sound of windchimes at night. humming bees. beds of clover.

Romeo and Juliet:

warm golden lamplight. worn shoes. crumbling brick walls. whispered poetry. embroidered satin. cool, hazy mornings. tousled hair. rosewater. flushed cheeks. distant orchestras. unfinished marble statues. cobblestone streets. loose threads. ink smudged on parchment. tapping fingers. dust illuminated by sunlight. poison vials.

Hamlet:

shattered glass. a cluster of fraying ribbons. unanswered knocks on doors. lingering dampness. white noise. inexplicable drafts. migraines. bleeding ears. the taste of metal. reflected mirrors. dry, cracked lips. the sound of tearing paper. fogged windows. memories of dreams. tarnished silver. protruding veins.

@livinghorcrux | plotted

This was possibly the strangest thing that had happened yet. Two years after settling into the Auror’s offices at the Ministry, two years after making it further than anyone thought he would ( and further than anyone wanted him to ), Draco was being paired with another new partner- and this time, it seemed his superiors had made the choice with the simple hope that it would stick- and Draco didn’t know what to make of it. 

He’d been informed that his partnership with the Boy Who Lived was on a trial basis- and not-so-subtly informed that any funny business would see his job gone fasted than he could say ‘niffler’. Draco had no intention on any funny business, but he did hope this meant he would see real field work, rather than continuing to handle cases like Mrs. Castworn’s missing cats ( who were actually generally just under her porch ) and Mister Fallsworth’s noise complaints about the family of five next door. He doubted they’d have the saviour of the wizarding world doing such menial cases. 

Still, more worrisome than what sort of cases they’d be working on, and any potential consequences should Potter decide he didn’t like working with Draco, was what the bloody hell to say to the man after almost nine years. They hadn’t spoken after the trial, and Potter had all but disappeared in the years after. It wasn’t like a generic ‘it’s a pleasure to meet you’ would do. It didn’t help that Draco was hardly the boy he’d been in school, and Harry most certainly wasn’t either- the confident, assured man in front of him, looking ready to take down another Dark Lord without breaking a sweat this time, was the furthest thing possible from the scrawny thing he’d been in school.

And the blasted man was several inches taller than him, Draco noticed.

In the end, he stuck his hand out, memories rising unbidden of the day they’d met on the train. “Potter,” he said, stiffly, tone formal for lack of knowledge of any other way to handle this. 

Leaving England had perhaps been the best thing Harry ever could have done for himself. His years in the mainland had broadened his understanding not only of magic and its history, but of his own experiences and traumas. He ended up spending a few years working with a therapist in Norway who specialized in aiding Muggleborns and Squibs.

Although Harry didn’t technically fit into either category, the sensation of otherness and not really belonging to either the magical or the mundane community applied well enough that the woman had been kind enough to accept him. She helped him go over a lot of things - and he’d learned more about himself than he ever thought possible. Some of it was pretty messed up - but some of it, well. Some of it was alright - and he was at a point where he was alight with the messed up parts and happy enough with the alright ones that it felt right to come back, in the end.

He had not thought he would ever reach a point where he would want to come back here - but now, he felt like he had what it took to not only face it, but make the changes he wanted to see, felt were necessary, and above all else - knew from his travels were possible if introduced in the right way. He had died for this community - so, he should be able to make it one worth living in.

It helped that Kingsley was Minister for Magic now. The man had spent years alongside the Muggle prime minister, and was a good deal more aware of civil rights than many - he was working hard to make positive changes from within the government itself and, despite people clamoring for him to name Harry an auror, he had insisted that Harry undergo the same psychological evaluations and tests as anyone else when he transferred in from the office in Sweden.

In truth, the sheer lack of special treatment the Minister afforded him made Harry absolutely adore the man - he liked the challenge of working to prove himself and not having things handed to him just because he was the Boy Who Kept On Living. He had a good track record as a junior in Sweden, but he still hadn’t passed his senior levels and had a good year or two before he was even due to take the exams.

Considering his track record in Scotland during the Battle of Hogwarts and in light of his position as the man who defeated Voldemort, he was offered the opportunity to take those exams early - but Harry had learned he had some authority issues he still needed to work out, so he thought it wise to refuse the offer and work his way to a senior position naturally. The last thing they needed was him in a position of power once the inevitable frustrations started rising. Not that he mentioned that to Kingsley, of course, but it seemed his caution was respected all the same, and that was good enough for Harry.

What he had not anticipated was the Minister’s willingness to manipulate his position as a famous Dark Wizard slayer with consent. Harry had been fully prepared to be wielded and manipulated - but Kingsley had been pretty up front with his plans and that alone was enough to get Harry to agree without any hesitation. The fact the plan was progressive and ingenious helped, but being involved in the process really did warm Harry to Kingsley as a whole.

While there was some dissent over his partner, Harry was thrilled. The idea of working with Draco was exhilarating for a lot of reasons, not the least of which being that he was insatiablycurious about the man’s chosen career path and clear dedication to it despite the mountains of setbacks and roadblocks that had been set up for him. ( The fact that Kingsley was going to test what might happen if Harry was in place to push against those setbacks was just a bonus, really. )

Of course, Harry wasn’t so optimistic as to think Draco would be all that happy about the arrangement. While he did believe they would be able to work together given they were adults and surely well past foolish childhood rivalries ( or so he hoped. If this turned out to be anything like Sirius and Snape he might have to abscond right on back to Sweden… ) he also acknowledged the chances were pretty high this would be a rocky start, at least until they established something of a comfort level with one another.

{ Nonverbal Starters }

The minute Harry had heard that the Daily Prophet would be running a piece on Hogwarts’ reparation process, he had made himself scarce. He knew full well that it would just turn into a disgusting tabloid drama if one of the reporters or photographers managed to catch him - though he’d been kind enough to forewarn Hermione before slipping out of the castle, if only so she could hide the remaining members of the DA as well. 

Nobody wanted to be famous when it came at so steep a cost as the echoes of people who weren’t there anymore. Harry had grown accustomed to that bitter truth over the course of his magical career, but for all of his friends it was an honesty that was virulent and raw, scraping at their insides in ways that seemed hauntingly familiar. If he could spare them the cameras and the questions, he would - but not if it meant lingering long enough to get caught himself.

He’d been so quick though, he’d failed to bring much by way of distraction. His mind was mulling hazily over his coming exams and present homework, but no major epiphanies rolled in without the texts in front of him. His mind was shifting toward that strange numb place it had been floating through much of the year when he heard the crunch of footsteps and found his hand falling to his wand even before he glanced over.  

What he witnessed was - not unusual, actually. Draco had been withdrawn this year, so the fact his head was down and he didn’t seem combative wasn’t as strange as it might have been once. They were both quiet, even when the other ultimately opted to hunker down beside Harry - striking and strange on the ground, and looking just as miserable and disgusted as Harry felt.

He looked away. The animosity of before was - so small now, he couldn’t even muster up the energy to be annoyed by the other’s presence. With all that had happened, it just seemed so - pathetically pointless.

“I take it the vultures have arrived, then.” It was a strange olive branch, the idea that he could share in contempt with Draco Malfoy, and feel both justified and at ease with it. But it felt better, overall, than sitting in awkward and unhappy silence while they waited for the passing of fools and war profiteers.