
Moony
5th Year at Hogwarts, 1941
Reader POV
"Gods, look at that ugly little thing!" I made a disgusted face at the toad the prefect William Titus had in his hands.
"Sir Wilbur is not ugly, you're just mean." Will held his frog with adoration. "And for everyone with snakes or cats as pets, mind that Sir Wilbur does not ever become its next meal otherwise I'll consider it an act of war."
Abraxas held his cat tight. "I wouldn't dream of harming Sir Wilbur. Keep that reptile of yours away before I turn its skin inside out."
Will was about to say something sharp when Professor Slughorn entered the Slytherin common room with Tom and Adolfus following behind. "William, my boy. Come here."
"Oooh, you're in trouble," I mocked him.
Will gave me a smile and winked. "Nope, Slughorn loves me. See you around, (nickname)."
I could almost feel Abraxas' judgmental stare. Will Titus was indeed one of Slytherin's prefects, but he was still muggle-born and had to fight for respect within the house. He did save my life once so he and I developed a very close friendship and would share inside jokes. He was in the year ahead but he still watched out for me, especially when Tom and I got into a fight earlier in the year. Unfortunately not everyone liked our friendship, especially Abraxas.
"You really need to stop being so attached by those mud-bloods," Abraxas said with a bored tone as he went back to eating a chocolate frog. "Does you no good being associated with him. You know that you can't marry a muggle-born as a pure-blood."
That was another problem; Abraxas knew all too well of the crush I had on Will. I mean, who wouldn't fall for him?? He was the captain of our quidditch team as well as its seeker, was extremely smart and got top scores on his OWLs and NEWTS, and he was a favorite of many teachers. His parents were also very wealthy for muggles and even donated to the school multiple times. He had striking blue and green eyes and dark brown hair, and had a figure that looked like he came out of a dream.
But the best part was that he was genuine and funny. One moment he'd be making fun of you then he'd be asking why you were upset.
"I know," I rolled my eyes. "Besides, he'd never date me."
"Oh please." Abraxas put down his snack and flicked my forehead. "You do realize he won't stop talking about you?" I recalled how he, Will, Tom, and Adolfus all shared a room. "It honestly drives all of us insane, especially Tom."
I thought about Tom since he and I got into a big fight when I found out he was bullying muggle-borns. "I could care less what Tom says or thinks. He's just a sour old sponge."
"Well you should care what he says. You should try to be friends with him again, (nickname), he's going to be a Prefect next year alongside Will."
"What does that have to do with me?"
Again, Abraxas flicked me. "Are you slow? (y/n), don't you see the way he looks at you?"
"With disgust?"
"No?" He shook his head with amusement. "I think he likes you, or at least tolerates you more than everyone else. I always catch him staring at you and I see the way he stares at Will with anger and contempt whenever Will talks about you."
I looked back at the sound of footsteps and Will took a seat next to me, Tom choosing to sit with Abraxas. Tom kept staring right at me with a strange look in his eyes, especially when Will and I immediately started talking about the latest world quidditch matches.
"Say, why don't you go to the Ireland versus Japan game in February? Its a month away, what do you say? Dad got tickets, the minister of magic himself is fond of him since the minister himself is muggle-born and invited us to his private booth." Will looked at me with excitement. "We have two extra tickets."
"I'd love to!" I smiled at him and he hugged me tightly. "But how would we get there?"
"Sneak out."
"Aren't you a prefect?" Tom's voice caused both of our heads to turn. "Wouldn't you be in trouble say if someone ratted?"
Before Will could say something, I kicked Tom under the table. "Oh, piss off! You're just jealous that I get to go to a match and your sorry ass is stuck here."
"Perhaps if I invite you this stays between us?" Will started.
"No," I talked to him in a more gentle voice and I could almost hear Tom's thoughts snapping. "He's not worth it. Why waste your ticket on someone like him? Invite Abraxas."
"Keep me out of this. When you guys figure out who the poor soul to be a third wheel on your date will be, let me know so I can start brewing the polyjuice potion. Someone has to pretend to be Will." Abraxas stood up and left, taking his chocolates with him and grumbling. "Kids these days."
Will pointed at Abraxas with respect. "You're the man!"
"Shut up, mud-blood." Abraxas gave him a glare but I could see the spark in his eyes.
Will turned back to Tom, the two clearly having a mental battle. "If you don't want to come with us, then don't you dare tattle. Act like a man and stop moping. Come on, (y/n). Let's go to Hogsmade, I'll buy."
I wasn't one to ever reject free food. "Fine, but I also want candy."
"Hold on," Tom stopped us from going. "Her parents trust me to watch her, so I'm going with you for both things. I don't trust you, Titus."
I shared a look with Will and shrugged. "Fine, but don't ruin my day. Grow up, Tom, stop being jealous that he asked me first."
The match a month later in February was remarkable and Tom ended up joining us, though I paid no mind to him. I cheered with Will and his family for the Irish and booed with the Japanese seeker ended up clutching the snitch and taking the game. But I did notice how Tom was staring at me with remorse instead of the usual disgust or indifference on his face.
Ever since, we began talking more and I could tell tensions between Will and Tom got higher as I spent more time with both. Now when we were in class, Tom was especially close to me as we started to learn the patronus spell.
"Just think of a happy memory and channel it," the professor instructed. "You've all had happy memories, yes?"
My thoughts turned to the time I went on a midnight swim in the black lake with Will, Tom, Abraxas, Adolfus, and Skyrin present. It was a cold night but the warmth we all shared made it worthwhile. "Whoa!" My wand produced a patronus in the shape of a giant serpent.
The professor looked at me with approval. "Ah, the serpentine patronus. It is said the wielder is charming, optimistic, empathetic, and very observant."
Students had a variety of patronuses, majority having cats, rabbits, and buzzards. I just didn't care to see who got what, I was too busy admiring my serpent. Later that night, I was taking a usual midnight walk after hours with Will. He showed me his patronus which was a wolf.
"My patronus is the one that represents absolute loyalty, protective, and playful. I'm quite fond of my patronus and I call it Lucky, after my childhood dog." Will lowered his wand and I watched his wolf ride run the sky and head right towards the full moon.
"Hey, Will? I have a question."
"I promise to have some sort of answer." He sat down on the bench and followed suit. "What is it, (nickname)?"
"What does it mean when someone has the same patronus as I do?" I asked. "I don't know who it was, but someone has the same." Lies, I know it was Tom's patronus but he doesn't need to know I know.
"It means they are either expressing the same qualities, or a deeper affection. For example, my friend has a patronus of a doe and her boyfriend has a patronus of a stag. It could mean the person who loves the other loves someone with such fire that it merges their patronuses to be in sync with the other. The stronger the connection, the stronger the patronus. Especially when paired together." He shrugged. "I'm assuming it was Tom's patronus, hm?"
At my silence he laughed with sadness. "I knew I stood no chance. Well if he messes with you, you know where to find me." We walked back in a comfortable silence and Tom was waiting by the fireplace. Normally whenever I would leave at night, he would be waiting by the fire and just glance at me and go to bed. I learned from my cousin that he didn't sleep unless he knew where I was, it was his way of showing he cared without saying anything to me.
"Oi, blockhead." Will went to Tom after I wished the both a goodnight and went to the girl's area, but I could hear bits of their conversation.
"What do you want, mud-blood?"
"I'm calling a draw. If you ever hurt her, I'll make you regret it. Take care of her, Tom. You win."
Will went to his room and I was about to do the same when I was stopped by Tom.
"You were listening."
"I was. I wanted to make sure you didn't kill him.
Tom crossed his arms as if he didn't believe. "Whatever, Moony."
"Moony??"
He reached out with hesitation and patted my head. "You're always doing something at night when you should be sleeping. You make me worried. Now go to sleep, I'm tired."
"No one asked you to wait for me."
Tom rustled in his pocket and produced a tiny heart chocolate wrapped in cute wrapping paper. "Hush, Moony. Happy Valentine's Day."
My face instantly lit up. "Aww, you do care!"
"Go to bed!" He pointed in the direction of my dorm and I listened. But I could also see the faint smile and blush on his face.
NOW (1958)
I woke up feeling like my head was spinning at a hundred miles. "Tom?" I saw him laying against the bed.
"(y/n)!" He looked startled and hugged me immediately. "You're alive! They said they weren't sure you would make it, but you made it through. My strong, beautiful girl. My girl."
I thought long and hard, recalling being with my boys and Philip attacking us and I went into labor as Tom showed up to protect us, and the unfortunate destruction of my wand. "Perseus. Tom, where is our son? Wasn't I in labor?"
"Your husband has to make a difficult decision," the doctor said with a sad expression on her face. "He had to choose between saving your life or your sons. Your son is waiting over here, I'm sorry."
I looked behind her and saw what looked to be a body. "Bring him to me. I want to see for myself, I don't believe you."
Tom reluctantly got up and handed me a baby with a purple blanket on him. "This is Perseus. He was stillborn. I'm so sorry, my love."
I couldn't hold back the tears and Tom circled us with his arms as the doctor left. "Oh Tom...how will I get through this!?"
"You are strong," he said with the most gentle face. "We will get through this together. You are never going to suffer, my darling. I swore to protect and love you, yes? It will be alright. Nothing can replace the loss in our hearts for Perseus, but if you had died, I'd be distraught. We will mourn together with the rest of the family and rise from the ashes, stronger together."
"Stronger together." I looked down at his arm which showed the old skull mark. "Always together. Thank you for saving me, Tom."
"I'll do it over and over again. Perseus will watch us from Heaven and protect us there. If he's anything like his Mum, he'll keep everyone in check. I can already hear your father teasing him. Your father will watch over Perseus until it's our time to meet him."
"I know." I pressed his arms closer, taking comfort in his smell after he placed the corpse back in the tiny bed. "I love you."
"I love you most." He squeezed me tightly and wiped the tears from my eyes gently. "You are the reason why I do what I do. I told you before, I'll kill anyone who harms you or our family. You are my everything. Now get some rest and we'll get you home to Gingham Manor soon enough."
"And the boys?"
"At your mother's. I've made every single effort to capturing Philip. What he did is unforgivable and he should face trial despite being a muggle."
I grew angry at the thought of my own brother attacking me. "I couldn't agree more. I want him dead, Tom. A life for a life."
"Your wish is my command." He crawled into bed with me and held me tightly as if I would disappear at any moment. "Go to sleep, I'll be right here and I'll keep you safe."
I felt something wrong in my gut but pushed it off. It was Tom, the man who devoted himself to our family and me. He would never harm us. Sleep claimed me once more as I felt him kiss my lips and soon he too was claimed by sleep.
______________
For clarification, Tom planted fake memories to get Reader to hate muggles and muggle-borns and further his plan along. Yes he does love Reader in his own flawed and twisted way.
Dang, I started this 6 days ago and we're already on chapter 19. At this pace, I'll be finished this story sooner than I thought. Please vote and comment, it makes my day. Hope you are enjoying!
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro